The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-01-22
.s1-v T5r a< Hsraia Of Fts.som,
Twrs MOUND, Z. T., Jan. 16, 1859.

TWIN MOUND, 4. l., Jan. 10, 1859.
Ma. EDITOR Yesterday we had
large and enthusiastic meeting at Clinton,
Douglas county, which was composed of
citizens residing in Marion and Clinton
townships. who met together for the pur-
pose of obtaining what knowledge they |
could in reference to the cause of the |
ertrduaganay HIGH tax recently levied |
on the people. And further, to take such |
steps and adopt such measures as will
enable us to act in harmony in reference
to the payment of the same.
For once, the people of this neighbor-
hood were united; but one feeling seemed
to pervade the entire assembly, with the
exception of our present Representative,
Mr.. A. Curtiss, and one or two others,
whose dissent was very mild and passive;
but they however were known to be either
officers, or under employ from the county,
or had been, which might in some measure
account for taking such course. Mr.. Cur
tiss labored with all his ability and energy
to convince the audience, first, that it was
to their interest to pay said tax; and
second, that he believed there was no
power on earth that could legally reduce
said tax, or repeal the law by which it
was enacted, but it was no GO. The people
were united and determined to adopt
some course by which they could evade
the payment q said tax, and at the same
time teach those in Office wholesome
lesson, that is, "not to cut SO deep, till
they get their hand in" Why, just think
of it, tax of nearly two per cent on
property, assessed at double its value,
which amounts to near four per cent, and
this too, when there is such notorious
scarcity of money in the country that
many, very many of US are frequently
without money to buy the absolute nee
essaries of life. If ever such tax as this
is collected, it will be, first, after money
has become exceedingly plenty, and
secondly, after the people have become
thoroughly convince that our county Of
6cers will make o more economical ex-
penditure of the same than has hitherto
been done.
If Mr.. Curtiss be right, that the Legis-
lature, nor Board of Commissioners have
any power to reduce said tax or repeal
said law, and if they cannot, nor will not
do it, thenswe shall fall back to that never
failing source of relief, the PEOPLE. who,
when united, HAVE POWER not only to
hurl such injudicious persons out of office
but to effectually and forever annm the
law which imposes such taxes on the
people, and that peaceably, too, for we dc
not propose to fight the General Govern.
ment, nor Lawrence, nor even the county
officers, but we do propose to set our eyes
upon the officers, whose duty it is to en-.
force the collection of said tax, and gaze
at them so intensely sharp that they will
feel and KNOW that it is for their present
aud future interest to resign their office
Immediately; and further, we will create
such temperature in the political ele.
ments, that not one in our community
will consent for moment to serve in such
capacity; this we can do, and do peace.
ably. Ever since that memorable day
that the American Colonies refused tc
pay Great Britain the paltry three penny
tax on tea, the people have reserved tt
themselves the right to alter, amend, o
abolish the "laws,' if not the rulers,
whenever they became too oppressive
longer to be borne by the people, ant
woe be to the man who attempted to sta!
the hand of an indignant and outraged
community when united.
+ The people are getting to be thorough.
aroused on this subject, and l venture tn
assertion that there is not one in hundred
the county over, who will not join US will
energy aud zeal in our efforts to reduc
said tax, except it be those who are eithe
directly or indirectly the recipients of tn
county, or expect soon to be.
D But in justice to myself and ueighbor'
l cheerfully say in conclusion, that we ar
D unanimously willing to pay, or try to pa
reasonable tax, say one-quarter, or eve
third per cent. while we are equal
. unanimous in protesting against this eI
orbitant tax, which is calculated not onl
|. to check emigration, but to operate Sc
d riously against the agricultural interest
# of the community. HENRY HIATT.