Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-05-30
For tssi slsaadA.a.

it TN view oil OUT pItocHt
polite. dangerous and unjust to examine into Its
merits with any practical intent But the adoption
Of Mr. Bledsoe's views by the Opposition party, and
them into their party platform, ana
the refusal to do so by the Democracy, have
ed the subject with higher degree Of interest, ana
imposed duty where before it was criminal MT
Bledsoes speech has consequently become a sort OF
text book, and there can he no very great lmpro
prety in subjecng it to the test of severe criticism
have read it with care, and dscerncd, 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 ci0tate ana
to commit an unquestionable Jeto-dese. 100.
That "all 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 to the teachings of correct political
philosophy, am happy to Admit. congratulate
the country that this question of al caioren 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 as it does to first
principles and to that period when political phloso-
PLY was in its infancy, and had no advantages OF
practical illustration But I shall cndeavor not to
bc prosy, and will touch lightly where likely to be
tiresomc. Lock, Milton and Sidney enumerated
certain unfxed theories which have in our day been
subjected to experimental tests; and the very prin
ciple which Mr. Bledsoe has introduced as the base
of his operations is among them. They are now
we'll 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 70 conform to principle with
rigidity. Reforms may, consequently be indspen-
sable; and that spirit should never be resisted. No
feelings of vencration should tramme the reformst
in inst and Reasonable efforts to correct error or
form abuses But reformation is very different
from innoration. The one 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 spendor of the future.
The one loves we'll tried ana unhurtfnl measures,
and takes no pleasure in changes from fear of not
seeming prosressive-the other loves changes for
the sake of change, and hates that which is hoary,
least it be suspected of fogysm. The one allows
political institutions gradually to adapt themselves
as circumstances may indicate to political theories
but innorntion would force them, regardless Of the
,eU or the condition of the people upon whom they
are to act In the discussion Of all questions that
are regarded scientific it is highly important that
terms be used which are recognized as having xpe-
cite meaning Sufficient attention has not been
paid BY Mr. Bledsoe to this matter, and in conse-
quence he is frequently inconsistent, and not I'M
frequently absurd The terms all citizens, persons.
pcople and .treemen, he uses Unfortunately and
we arc very frequently at a loss to determine
whether all persons, male and female, white ard
black, native and alien designed to be designat-
ed | shall use the term citizen as SYNONYMOUS
with person. and generic in character.
| do not propose to examine any portion of Mr..
Bled<oes argument which tends to establish de-
parture OF our constitution from established prnci
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 citi-
zen, and their reciprocal obligations Protection
on the one hand and taratiaa on the other are
prominent amongst them. A departure from either
in practice is violence to justice and to truth.
Government recognizes tao classes Of rights, and
obligates herself to protect em-thoSe attached to
persons and those to things. Personal rights the
rights of persons life liberty and the pursuit of
happiness. They are general rights and embrace
all other personal rights They are unirersal in
their character as "all citizens" in Mr. Bledsoe's
language, are entitled to them, and in the same de-
gree. tax consequently upon 'all citizens" (per-
sons) which is in our nomenclature "poll tax is
Just and proper and in strict conformity to that po-
htical 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 pay for the secure and undisurbed
enjoyment Of life. liberty, and the pursuit of happi
ness. To secure them Government has cautiously
framed laws and proper means of enforcement, in
volving 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
:eat 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.. Bledsoe thinks Gas he announced in his
first paragraph that call citizens and proper
ty, are Legitimate subjects of taxation" It is
true that ION page 22) he says that "propery only"
is so; yet then he 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 the minor, fee for their protection. In
this age of chivalry who would hear a proposition
to subject woman ovelest in her weakness, to such
an exactior? In this manly age would PROPOSE
ton to subject the aged and the minor be received
with more favor9 Chivalry, manhood and 'cour
tcsy las Mr. Bledsoe has it) all forbid it. Though
it is departure from the principle it is an acknowl
edged one and no acknowledgment of the incorrect
ness of the principle ITSELF / think l have estab-
lished the fact that constitution that abrogates all
,oU tarss IF the teachings of the sages and patri
is of other days and other clmes are correct) is
'iOlatOn OF that nrSt pr'ncpe Vi uoFeThine' whieh
lr Blcdsoe, with great apparent pride, lays down
correct
shall next proceed to show that system Of ad
alorem taxation accomplishes the same thing.
hall show that Government recognizes classes in
roperty-that some she protects with great care
While some she scarcely protects a: ALL will then
how, if this be true that the nd oalore system of
AVIATION is shameful a fragrant violation of the
cry principle upon which it processes to rest its
. lain to public approval. will then proceed to
xamine the subject in political economical point
f view, and endeavor to show the effect upon the
sealth and prosperity of the State l will then
i've the whole question candid and impartial con-
liberation, and hope to succeed in convincing the
andd that 1t is premature impolitic dangerous
nd unjust" NORTHAMPTON.
a. A SOUTHERN CONFERENCE.-The Charleston cor
espondent of the Alabama Confederation, in one