Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-06-12
For the Patriot
An Inside View OF Taxation.

The ruling Tor rather misruling) patri-
clans of Nashville, are wont to cry "Dema-
gogue!" at every citizen who dares in cross
ing the track of their purposes, to reason
with the people upon the interests of the
many; and yet there are no greater dems-
gogues than themselves-fOr take it, that
the word densggcg4e as now used, means one
who appeals to class. rather than one who
addresses himself to the entire people, or TO
so many of them as he can induce to hear
him. The hobby-horse of the clique who strive
to rule our city by this sort of elap-trap, is
the "ta1poyer" humbug.
1t frequently happens, that men of indie
pendent mind, who essay to advise with the
people On subjects connected with the pub
lie veal, are persons of moderate means-not
possessed of any considerable toson property;
and when the dominant lions find their hides
too short for fair conflict with these auda-
cious "interlopers,' - they piece out with fox
skin, by Strengthening up like doges in
their arm-chairs, lifting with immense Dig
nifty their gold speetalces, and exclaiming
with scorching irony, eyes. such men ought
to teach as how to manage our affairs! They
pay taxes on so much propertyv'
Messrs. Editors, will you or any other m en-
of observation. doubt what I say, when / as
sure you that some of these puffed-up suckers,
are not worth, in their own name, so much
town property as would, if sold, bsing enough
to pay for one yard of the tapestry carpet on
which they walk SO daintily? Whatever
may be your doubts, or those of Others have
| no doubt such prodigies of impudence exist.
But those who really have great possessions
within the corporate limits, are scarcely
less excusable for assuming that the poorest
citizen may not feel as much interest in
Nashville's welfare as themselves. The
| simple fact that such men overshoot the
facts and arguments of any man, though he
were a resident of the moon, and raise the
hue and cry that he is not a taxpayer, is
proof enough that they are cornered, and
wish to secure their escape by throwing dust
in the peoples eyes. Yet, as there are those
who take up the mo property" cry as boys
take up the alarm of fire. Ipropose to show
that it is but dodge, like that OF the Jews,
who, when they could no longer dispute
with the blind man, reviled him and said,
"Thou vast altogether born In sins, and dost
thou teach us?"
Who are the taxpayers of this or any other
city They are the laboring hive Of the
population. Not merely those who drive the
plane, WELD the hammer, and handle the
trowel; but these and all other free white
men and women, who follow honest avoca-
lions of mind or muscle. Every freeman who
dwelis in our city Cor a long or q short period,
and strives while here to pay his Just debts,
is necessarily tax payer And, from the
very nature of things under the present or
ganization of society, those who own the most
property are likely, in fact, to pay the least
share of the taxes. He who possesses the
most desirable real estate, or the greatest,
number of valuable slaves, if q shrewd man
(snd such are generally shrewd enough viii