Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-01-14
For the Standard
AID VALOREM TAXATION
No. 3.

No. 2.
Mr.. HOLDEN The Democratic Press of To-,
gifted with fore-knowledge almost as profound ~
that of his co-laborer in bad cause the WarrontoS
Ae"s before noticed, in reply to an article of tI
Greensboro Patriot, says: "As We stated so ,no
months ago, we know the ground we occupy. and IL
was to keep out of just such company as the NJ
tional Era, black republican sheet (Which nv tba
way, compliments the Patriot as a co-worker in tbo
"irrepreSsibe conflict y that we have opposed tbO
proposed disturbance of the constitution. If tbo
Patriot is satisfied with its new affiliations We aro
and will merely call attention to the National Era
Thus far the Press refuses to give to its readers an
address devoted exclusively to showing the ineop,I
ity OF the present revenue :;ys.2:n; and publishes
with appreciation comments Ui ali abolition newsno
per upon small portion of that address, for tLo
purpose OF creating false impression in the minds
OF its readers, and of begettng unfounded prein
dice against the actions Of his neighbors, who he
we'll knows are as sound the question of slavery
as arc any south of Mason & DiXon's line Tho
Press refuses to publish legitimate arguments urged
by Southern men, on matter of local policy which
he has not attempted to answer or rcfute but puh
lished garbled extracts from paper which is not
allowed, or ought not to be allowed to be delivered
through our post office. How the Press can recon
Gle such course with the duties of public iourn
alSt, and Southern man, is beyond my limited
comprehension. am perfectly willing for the slave
owners of Wake county to say who are the most
guilty of improper affiliations those who oppose
the present tax system, and endcavor, by fair argu
ment, to have it changed, or those who copy and
circulate the opinions of whose sentiments
upon the subject of slavery are not allowed to be
circulated by the law of the land. If the Press or
any Others think the address of the Wake County
Working Mems Association contains incendiary
sentiments, he, or they can, by calling on the Secrc
tary of the Association, be officially informed of the
name and residence of the author so that a warrant
a., h..
Yet 1t might turn out in the end, that the grand
jury of Wake county would ignore bill on the adj
dress and present the Press for diding and abettpg
in the circulation of seditious publications.
Will the Press please assist the Warrenton Ners
in furnishing the information respectfully asked for
in my first communication; and also inform its
readers of the ground" he occupied in reference
to al raIorem taxation during the canvass of 1858?
If the "ground has been changed since that time,
will the Press give his reasons for the move and
what new lights it has been illumined with on the
subject? Should the Press refuse this reasonable
request it may become necessary, in selfdefcnce
for the advocates of change in revenue system
to do So
Mr. Editor: Those who think the present tax svs-
tenn Must and unequal, sincerely deprecate the
tone and character of the discussion started and
persisenty kept up by the advocates of present
revenue policy.
Nothing that has been said, or written, or done,
tiOn justify the course pursued by large portion
of those who disagree with hem. Thus far, instead
of discussing the revenue policy of the State upon
its merits, and meeting argument by argument and
fact with fact and endeavOring to enghtcn the poo
pie upon subject of such important concern to
them, they have striven TO break the force and ef
feet of the statements and deductions heretofore
published by the advocates of change with covert,
unmanly insinuations Such course, in relation
to topic purely local, is unprecedented with us;
and if persisted in with The silent approval of both
the political parties in the State results disastrous
to those separate party organizations Will neccssar
ly follow. Those opposed to the present revenue
system of North Carolina belong to both of the pO
litical parties existing amongst us; and they have
no desire to change their party relations Yet if
their opinions on this matter to be made tests
of their party fealty and they are to be excluded
from their former political associations the sooner
they know it, the better. The members of the
Wake County Working Mems Association, in their
address distinctly say, that it is not their "Obect to
start any political party organization either
upon this or any other platform; or to raise any
issues tests in the selection of our repreScn-
tatives public officers" In this declaration they
were sincere and are still determined if possible to
adhere to it.
Our existence as q free, Independent, slave-hOld-
ing State, is of the first consideration. Next to
that in its Importance, is the manner of raising the
necessary revenue to support that existence. Yet
we are told by those who endeavOr to control public
sentiment and be the leaders of the people, that YOU
ought not to express your opinion in regard to this
matter-that it is wrong for You to meet and form
associations for the purpose of effectng any change
in the present system of taXation-that the tendeI
cy is evil, and that because you do so, because you
speak fearlcssy the honest convictions of your mind
you are no good Wing, or you are no good Demo-
GRAFT it is insinuaed by some (whose good " for
anything, is yet to be discovered that you dis
loyal to the institutions and interests of the State
Mr. Editor Our revenue system is wrong. 1t is
unjust, unequal, discrminative and oppressive, and
cannot be defended. The people cannot, nor will
they be gagged by the politicians in favor of such
system, l care not who they be. They are awaken
ed to the pressing necessity of change, and never
will they cease talking and writing about it. until
the change is made.
A NATIVE
Raleigh, Jan. II, 1860.