Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-05-26
For tAs STANDARD

the speech of Moses A. Bledsoe, of Wake county
delivered in the Senate of North Carolina dd
loren taxation. looked at its title page, ascertain
ed its character, and quietly laid 1t aside; regard
ing it lin view of our present surroundings as i'm
polite, dangerous and unjust to examine into its
merits with any practical intent. But the adoption
Of Mr. Bledsoes views by the Opposition party, and
incorporating them into their party platform. and
the refusal to do so by the Democracy, have invest
ed the subject with higher degree of interest and
imposed duty where before it was criminal Mr..
BledsOe's speech has consequently become sort OF
text book, and there can be no very great impro
prety in subecting 1t the test of severe criticism
| have read it with care and discerned with no lit
tie SURPRISE that the principle which he lays down
in its rery first paragraph and upon which its en-
tire argument is based, he proposes to ri0late and
to commit unqucstionable feL0-dese.
That "a the citizens and property of the State
ought to be taxed in proportion to the protection
enjoyed under the government" is in strict and ri
gid conformity 10 the teachings Of correct political
philosophy, am happy to Admit. ] congratulate
the country that this question Of dd UaLOrem taxa
ton is to be tested by that sacred principle, and
hope to be able to awaken in all proper apprecia
ton of its claims. The subject is dry one under
ordinary circumstances, going back it does to first
principles, and to that period when political philoso
ply was in its infancy, and had no advantages of
practical illustration. But shall endeavor not TO
DC proSy, and will touch lightly where likely to be
tireSome Lock. Milton and Sidney enumerated
certain un6Xed theories which have in day been
subjected to experimental tests; and the very prn
cipe which Mr.. Bledsoe has introduced as the base
of his operations is among them. They are now
well understood by all political writers; and in this
country, where the experiments have been chiefly
performed every effort is being made wherever the
hand Of reform touches, 20 conform to principle with
rigidity. Reforms may, consequently, be indispen-
sable; and that spirit should be resisted. No
feelings of veneraon should trammel the reformist
in Just and reasonable efforts to correct error or re-
form abuses. But reformation is very different
from iRROrdtiOn. The is cautious and mode
rate-the other is bold reckless and incorporate
The one models from lessons of the past-the other
from dreams of promised splendor of the future
The one loves well tried and unhurtfnl measures
and takes no pleasure in changes from fear Of not
seeming progrcssive-the other loves changes for
the sake Of change, and hates that which is hoary
least it be suspected Of fogyism. The one allows
political institutions gradually to adapt themselves
as circumstances may indicate to political theories
but inHOratiOn would force them regardless of the
riU or the condition Of the people upon whom they
are to act In the discussion of all questions that
regarded scientific, it is highly important that
terms be used which are recognized having xpe-
cifc meaning Sufficient attention has not been
paid by Mr. BlcdSoe to this matter and in conse-
quence he is frequently inconsistent and not I'M
frequently absurd The terms all citizens persons
people and freemen, he Unfortunately and
n
whether all persons, male and female, white ard
black, native and alien designed to be dcsigna
ed I shall use the term citizen as SYNONYMOUS
with person, and generic in character.
do not propose to examine any portion of Mr.
BedSoe'S argument which tends to establish de-
parture OF our constitution from established princ
pies, or the injustice Of the present revenue bill
pass them over, being content with the reflection
that under the the State has prospered and
under the other national bankruptcy is not threat
ening.
Mr. Bledsoe and the Democracy agree perfectly
in their views Of the duties Of Government and c-
zen, and their reciprocal obligations Protection
on the one hand and tdrdtin on the other are
prominent amongst them. A departure from either
in practice is violence to justice and to truth
Government recognizes tScO classes of rights and
oblgates herself to protect eni-those attached to
persons and those to things Personal rights or the
rights of persons are life liberty and the pursuit of
happiness They are general rights, and embrace
all other personal rights They are universal in
their character as "all citizens" in Mr. Bledsoe's
language, entitled to them, and in the same de-
gree. a tax consequently upon "all citizens (per-
sOnS) which is in our nomenclature a poll tax" is
Just and proper and in strict conformity to that po
tical maxim that all should be taxed in proportion
to the protection that Government extends to per-
sonal rights. 1t is the price that "all citizens"
(perSons) should p1y for the and undisturbed
enjoyment Of life, liberty, and the pursuit Of happ
ness. To secure them Government has cautiously
framed laws and proper means of enforcement, in
voving no inconsiderable cost But Mr.. Bledsoe
in view Of this and in violation of his own boosted
principle says property is the only legitimate sub
icct of taxation" He would then impose upon
Government the high and sacred duty Of protecting
personal rights, without demanding Of those whose
rights are protected that indemnity which is indis
penSable for the maintenance of Government Pos
sibly Mr.. Bedsoe thinks las he announced in his
first paragraph that "all citizens and proper
ty are Legitimate subjects of taxation" 1t is
true that ION page 22) he says that property only"
is so; yet then he was in hot pursuit of little
groes and we ought not to be surprised at his STUN
bling
Let it not he urged against the correctness Of this
principle that in practice it is violated 1t is true
Government does not exact of the softer SEX of the
aged and toe minor, fee for their protection. In
this age Of chivalry who would hear a proposition
to subject woman ovclicst in her weakness, to such
an exactorg In this manly age, would a PROPOSE
ton to subject the aged and the minor be received
with more favor? Chivalry, manhood and 'cour-
tesy' las Mr. Bledsoe has it) all forbid it. Though
it is departure from the principle it is acknowl
edged one and no acknowledgment of the incorrect
ness of .hc principle ITSELF | think have estab-
shed the fact that constitution that abrogates all
poll tares f the teachings of the sages and patri-
OTIS of other days and other chimes correct) is
violation of that first principle of Government which
Mr.. Bledsoe, with great apparent pride, lays down
as correct
l shall next proceed to show that system of adj
cdlorem taxation accomplshes the same thing. l
shall show that Government recognizes classes in
property-that some she protects with great care
while some she scarcely protects az ALL will then
show if this be true that the ad Ualorem system of
taxation is a shameful fragrant violation of the
very principle upon which it processes to rest its
claim to public approval l will then proceed to
examine the subject in political economical point
of view, and endeavor to show the effect upon the
wealth and prosperity of the State. I will then
give the whole question candid and impartial con-
sideration, and hope to succeed in convincing the