Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-01-11
-..-. For the Standard
AID VALOREM TAXATION.
No. ]

Working Mems Association from the malicious as
pensions of the wilfully Ignorant well as the CO.
vert and despicable warfare against those objects,
waged by mercenary scribblers and selfish dema-
gogues | ask this the more boldly, because the
Standard is the only newspaper in midst which
has not virtually ignored discussion of the impor-
lance of some change in the present mode of collect
ing the present revenue for State and County pur-
poses; and which has, at least far, preferred to
publish the sincere convictions of honest neighbours
respectfully submitted rather than the ignorant ef
fusions of prompted aboltIonist The opponents
of our present tax system did hope that subject
acknowledged of the first Importance by every in
tegent citizen would be discussed dspassionately
and solely upon its merits And the members of
the Association here having respectfully laid before
their fellow citizens their views in an address excu
svey devoted to the subject of our revenue policy
with such arguments and illustrations as their lin
tied talent commanded, would have remained silent
had their objects not been wilfuy and maciously
misrepresented and the members thereof insidious-
ly accused of being traitors to the land of their
birth. If such is to be the character of the oppoS-
ton to the change in our revenue system, sought
be brought about, its advocates have little else to do
except to reply to their unwarrantable nsnuations
and submit the question of their own loyalty to
the South and its institutions, to the Judgment of
the people themselves. If the advocates of our
present tax system can urge no other arguments in
its favor than those CLEANED from abolition print
though it happens to be edited by man born in
L
sumo, and more easily disposed of by the people
themselves.
Mr.. Editor Being somewhat acquainted with
the sentiments and opinions of the author of the ad-
dress adopted by the Wake County Working Mems
Asso iaton, we'll as of the sentiments and opin-
ions of the committee who reported it, and of the
members of the Association ITSELF | think | can
safely say that it is at least probable that his senti-
ments and their sentiments sound on the vi
tai question of slavery those who cndeavOr in
Sinuate otherwise or of those of the editor of the
National Era whose sentiments in relation thereto
amongst are taking unusual pains TO dissem-
mate In truth, do not think the presumption
would be very rash if | were to say that the feel
ingS Of the authOr-a slave owner bmself-born in
Wake county. North Carolina, family and
friends are slave Owncrs-who has enjoyed to the
present time the confidence of his slave owning
neIghbors-and who saw, without shedding Gerry
aadny tears the office of the said National Era
mobbed in lS4S possibly uttrd in favor of the
institution those of men born without the limits
of the United States whose violent attachment TO
slavery is predicatcd upon their happening at pres
ent to live where it exists, and the length of whose
residence with it is determined by the pecunary
success attending their several avocatonS. In this
| may be mistaken, though am perfectly willing to
leave it to the people Of the State. Nor would it
surprise me much if the members of the Working
Mems Association would go as far TO hang (hy dcci-
dent Of cOHISe-INNCH) the authors Of all nceniia-
NdtiOHaL Ere, together with those born in ard cut
of NOrtn-C Carolina, who sympathize in their hellish
work, who furnish them, T0F day reason nhaterer
food for their slandcrOus aSiersonS, those would
20, who repeat their opinions in the endeavor to
create a false feeling against honest people. And if
the rights of the South and Its institutions arc ever
in imminent peril, | would almost as lief depend
upon men whose birth, associations and every feel
ing attaching one to the soil, identifies them with
the land they live in as to rely for protection upon
strangers however loud may be their professions of
devotion to the rights and institutions of their
home. In this however, may likewise be mista-
ken, but ain willing for the people Of North Carroll
M to say.
The above reflections naturally arise upon read
ing the articles recently appearing in some of our
newspapers. The Warrenton Netcs Charlotte EuL
letin. and Democratic Press of this City, refuse to
lay before their reuters address uE0n tie Terehue
system oT tie .St0te but are willing to mpugn the
motives of those who differ with them concerning
our tax system, and who approve of that address,
by copying and circulating article from a vile alb
clifton sheet whose circulation in North Carolina is
prohibited by the 10th section of the 34th chapter
of our Revised Code. | should like to know if
these papers exchange with the National Era?-
Does not the editor of the Warrcnton Meas know
that copy Of that address furnished either d
rcctly to the Era throug pitilul dependent
at Washington for the purpose Of prcjudicing, if
possible, the people Of the State against that which
tenable argument? Murder will out" and the
facts connected with this matter will some day be
known
The NCUs of the 9Th of January, in its article,
SAYS: The prediction it made in an article appearing
in the paper of the 18th of Nov. is fulfilled "Gre
the Legislature pOcer TO tar SLaces at ptedsupe, and
arc establish Iercr Tor the upYO0ti"g 81 slarcry ia
this .State Of rhich tie TreeS0iiCrs ociU sORR take
ddrantdgE" That is the prediction trumphanty
pointed to; and to prove that he knew what he was
talking about, the Meas quotes from the National
Era an article furnished or suggested by some one
from Nort-Carolina opposed to the equalization Of
taxation. Now will the Warrenton NelrS and all
others in communication with the Era and other
kindred sheets, please inform their readers, hoW
many OF tie sLaCe States contain an their c0hStitu
ti0Rs restrictions their Legislatures IL reqdrd to
tie taxation 81 sldces' And if they think those
States whose Legislatures unrestricted in this
respect, are hshy on the subject Of slavery: Will
the Warrenton NccS inform its readers how many
of the slave States have adopted an dd cdIOrcm sys
ten. of taxation?
The Netrs further says, that the address = is the
production of few politicians, (that certainly
hard workers for ctfce) who, not having sufficient
talent TO win distinction on the ordinary poll ical
topics of the day, endcavorng to foresta public
opinion, By starting an original topic uhich might
enable them to ride into 0BicG" The Italics are
| our own. The topic is new, is it? Now will the
Ners please inform its readers that in 1885, and in
1884, the subject of radical change in revenue
system was brought prominently before the General
Assembly; and that too by men as devoted to the
institutions of the State the editor of the Aers
is almost VIII the NerS likewise inform its read
erS that in 1851, bill to alter the Constitution in
regard to this restriction was introduced by men,
Der of the General Assembly from county about
as far from Wake as the geographical limits of the
State admits-that in 1885, another bill by another
member representing different section, was intro
duced for the same purpose! That it was discussed
in Wake county in the canvass in 1853 and was
advocated by the Lire Girqte published during the
canvass. If the Netcs will not furnish its readers
with the above facts from its vast store of informa
ton concerning the revenue policy of the State, the
advocates of a change in that system will be under