Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-01-19

luton OF the State so as TO alter the OASIS OF taXaLOn
far, at least, negro property is concerned That
movement, whether emanating from Mr.. Bedsoe or Mr.
Turner fell dead fat and dead and fat it ought to have
been permitted to rest at least until the debt contracted
upon the present basis should have been discharged
Such is not the case however The agitation has
been renewed and during the week of the State Fair ii
assumed substantive form, although that form did very
nadequatey shadow forth the scope and aims of the
movement Said to be local, Wake County move
ment it was really movement to initiate fresh agta-
ton throughout the State to awaken controversies,
local and sectional eaouses and to give force to all the
ancied anagonisms of class occupation. That such
would be the of events felt convinced at the
time, also felt that the time selected perhaps
the most inappropriate that the Investigations of
the highest ingenuity could have discovered That such
was the opinion of the most thoughtful and conserva-
tive Democrats, know, for we had abundant means
of ascertanng this fact also that they deprecated
this agitation much we could do, and that they
foresaw, did, the proportions it might possibly
assume
Without now going into an examination of the ad-
dress put father in the name of the Working Men Of
Wake County, will say, with all due respect to the
Revenue Committee of the last Legislature well as to
the writer of the Address in question: that in hum
BILE opinion there some items in the present tax bill
that mgh very well be dispensed WITH and still get along
without adding anything to existing rates, even for the
purpose OF meeting any amount OF debt likely to be In
Cured for the completion of works to which the State
is committed The tax salaries is of these items
that might be struck out and other matters might
be modified, and we think will be.
Upon the basis of the new assessment now being
made the present rates of taxation together with the
returns from the public works, will be sufficient to pay
all necessary interest and provide sinking fund, while
at the time permitting the removal of some obnox
ous features from the tax book With debt contracted
agreed be contracted under system and pursu
ance of definite understanding, the attempt to make
such radical change in the revenue system as would
saddle one section with undue and unbarganed for
amount of responsibility would be such an injustice
would justify Republication, if anything could. M ~
We do not wish to impugn motives, nor indeed, do
wish to add much to what have already said upon
the subject of ad Ualorem far a change in the
stitution is concerned But whether wish it or not,
the option of permitting the discussion to pass BY is
longer with US. The speech made by Mr. Bledsoe in
advocacy Of his pan has been thrown broadcast
the State. The address of the Working Mems Asso-
citation, of Wake County, after appearing in the col
of the metropolitan organ of the dominant party
has been also scattered the State in pamphlet torm
while /" A Native" also, through the Columns of the
Standard carries on the war; his signature being adopted
apparently in contradisnction from and by way of
Election upon some of the opponents of ad rat0rem,
understood by Native and who have not the ad
vantage of being natives"
We do not to copy articles from the columns of
antSouthern papers, in which this agitation is referred
to as an evidence of branch of the repressble con-
fict in Southern State, and only refer to them
illustrating previous remark about the peculiar in
appropriateness of the time selected, while every mail
eagerly expected to bring news from Harpers
Ferry for the Harpers Ferry outrage took place on the
Sunday preceding the movement and meeting in Raj
egh. Understand us planly-far be it from even in
thought to connect any respectable body of citizens Of
North Carolina with the raid of John Brown-no doubt
the members of the Working Mems Association of
Wake County, if called upon, would have rallied as
promptly the defence of the South as any men South
of the Potomac. We speak of the unfortunately nap
propriae conuncture of time and circumstances exist
ing at the period selected to initiate this agitation in
regular FORM
We do not pretend to assert that per there is any
nfdety tC the South in the proposition to change the
basis of taxation far negroes concerned be-
cause we know that similar basis TO that contempla
ted exists already in than Southern State but
the circumstances in the States referred essentially
different from those in which we are placed-what
works we'll and fairly with them, would with US result
in saddng section with nearly all the burdens of
an already contracted debt and all the responsibility for
debts to be hereafter contracted.
So apparent is the fact that this change in the Con-
stuon would throw nearly all the burdens of the State
upon the East that intelligent correspondent of the
Ashev i Ae1US while advocating it, insists upon another
change being simultaneously made He insists upon
the basis of representation in the Senate being also
changed for the that upon the basis of taxation
the East paying all nearly all the taxes would have
all the power in that body. We 60 for something like
| Understanding like plighted faith. -
LEcrURE-The first lecture of the series before the
Wilmington Library Association, was delivered last
night at ITALIAN Hall by the Rev. Bishop Atkinson
The character of the lecture was historical, and the
parallels which the distinguished speaker drew between
different ages and countries end the social and political
Developments in each displayed that learning judgment
and reflection, which all concede to him. The very in
telligent audience both pleased and instructed
From the Charleston Courier.
WORK FOR PLANTERs.-As the time is at hand when
intelligent and active planters and farmers are busiy
engaged in preparing for the next crop, invite
newed attention to the advantages and established claims
and valuable qualities of the and land stmulants
offered by RHETT & RoBsoN of this city, Genera
Agents for B. M. Rhodes Co., of Baltimore.
We have from time to time published testimonials
from well known gentlemen, and ask attention tt
letter lately received from Col NETTLEs of Darlington
S. G:
DARLINGTON, s. c., Dec. IA, 1869.
Messrs. B. NJ. RHODES & Co., Baltimore. Gentlemen -
letter written September making enquiries in refer
to Rhodes would have been
but have been waiting to get through gathering