Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-04-14
Mr.. Pool Dodging on AID VaIorem---Freemen
of the State, do not be deceiyedg


discussion between Gov. Ellis and Mr. Pool at Gates
vile, proves that the deception attempted by the
Know Nothing Wing Convention is developing it
SELF The people of the State cannot fail to see how
their rights have been tred with and their creduli
ty imposed on. Mr.. Pool has explained his views
Of dd Catorem in one particular-that is, far as
taxation on slaves is concerned We are glad of it.
We hope he and Gov. Ellis now understand each
other on this branch of the subject; and we also
hope the voters of the State will understand and du
ly consider it.
Our correspondent, who seems to have been pres
ent at the discussion in Gainesville, says Mr. Pool
took the ground that dd rdlOrem taxation would not
increase the tax slaves. Of course Mr.. Pool was
expressing his own views of the practical effect of
ad ralOrem and we are, therefore, informed by him
in advance what would be his recommendation on
the subject to the Legislature if he should be elect
ed Governor. Mr.. Pool tells the shareholders that
they need have no apprehensions about dd calOrem-
that although it would tax all the negroes, instead
of those only between the ages of II and So yet the
capitation tax each will be so much lessened be-
low what it now is that the total of taxation on
the whole will be no more than is now collected
y ,
and intend to hold you to it.
Now, if the aggregate amount of taxation on slaves
is not to be increased by ad Calorem where is the
money necessary for the support of the State gov
eminent to come from? Will Mr.. Pool and his par
tizans take the ground that additional taxes are to
be imposed on land ?-and that the present tax on
labor shall be continued? Mr.. Pool says, for exam
ple to the capitalist who owns large sums at inter-
est and profitable stocks, that the tax which he
now pays is to be reduced to the rate paid
by lands and slaves. To the retailer of Spirituous
liquors. the keepers of ninepn alleys and billiard
tables he says, your taxes to be abolished and
you are to pay taxes only on the money value of
what you possess and others are told that they
to pay taxes, not on what they make but or what
they have. Now, when the taxes on capital, on re-
tailers, on shop-keepers, on professional men, on
pleasure carriages watches, bowieknives and pistols
and other articles taxed specifically, are brought
down to the uniform ad UalOrem standard, to be ap
piled to land and slaves how we ask is the deficit
to be made up? Not from increased taxation on
negroes, for Mr.. Pool declares against that. He
would tax all the negroes, and yet not increase the
tax from that source.
u
edge-tool which will cut his hands. He begins the
campaign in the East by declaring that the tax on
slave property is not to be increased. That is Mr..
Pools ad ral0rem But will he take the same ground
in the West that he has taken in the East? If he
does we hope the Western people will insist on
hearing from him how he expects to support the
State government and pay the interest OH the pub
lie debt after he has lowered the taxes on every
thing else and made increase on slave property.
But there is another question which we ask in all
seriousness If Mr. Pool and his party not in
favor of making slave property pay more tax than it
now does, in the name of common sense why do they
advocate open Convention, to abrogate the restric
ton in relation to capaton tax? lfthere is only so
much and no more tax to be paid by negro proper
ty do the people of any section care-do the owners
of other kinds of property than negroes care-why
should they care ?-whether it is imposed on all the
negroes or on those only between - and 90? Then
if it will make no difference, why call Convention?
Why bring into discussion and angry controversy
all the delicate questions involved in the discussion
of slavery? Why appeal to the non-slavehoder
against the stakeholder? Why not, if the Constitu-
ton must be amended in single particular go for
it by the legislative mode? Why wrangle and con-
tend among ourselves on this issue, when all South
ern men of all parties and all shades of opinion
should stand together, shoulder to shoulder, in de-
fence of homes and affairs against the assaults
of Seward and his infuriate coworkerS in mischief?
We have no disposition to do Mr.. Pool injustice,
but we call upon the voters of the State to keep
eve upon him as he goes West. Observe his Ian
guage, and see if it does not vary observe his tone
and see if it does not change The temptation which
is upon him is strong to announce one set of views
in the East and another in the West. But he has
along with him an experienced and able campaigner
in the person of Gov. Ellis, who will follow him in
all his wndings and expose any eyasions or change
of tone to which he may resort