Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-03-28


that we think this tax should be abolished That
it will be abolished by the next Legislature We en-
terrain no doubt. The amount now raised in this
way can be doubled or trebled by tax on articles
manufactured or produced in those non-slayehoding
States which have .nulli6ed the fugtiyeslave law.
Let us not be understood, however, as advocating
tax on all the purchases made by our merchants
out OF the State, according to the Virginia plan
Let the law discriminate for revenue and for pro-
lection to our own manufacturers, farmers, and me-
chanics, without injuring the trader or merchant.
This can be done. 1t is both practicable and Con-
stitutional The Supreme Court has decided it to
be Constitutional. We can thus obtain revenue,
protect our own manufacturers and mechanics, and
at the same time produce in all probability a good
effect on those States that haye nued the fugitive
slave law. ID =-. e>tsEy@
We admit also that it is not in the power of the
Legislature at present to tax slave property accord
ing to value. To confer this power on the Legisa-
ture the Constitution must be changed Is this a
time to change the State Constitution Is it wise
to dispute about the burdens which should be placed
on negro property, when our very existence as
people is threatened because we own negro proper
ty? Within eight months from this time Seward
will either have been defeated elected President
dedicated will have respite Of four years. Dur
ing that period this question can be settled and if
the people of the State wise they aciU settle it.
The most that can be done now is to abolish the tax
on labor, to reduce the tax on land and to make up
for the deficiency thus created by laying tax, as
above suggested, on Northern articles. But if Sc
ward shall be elected and the South submits to his
rule, it will make no difference how slaves are tax
\ed, or whether they are taxed at all With the
federal government permanently on the side Of
freedom with the mails, the army and navy, and
the purse and the sword in his hands, the conse-
quences would be calamitous to Shareholders and
to all of US. A sense of insecurity would send the
negro further South. Heads of families would cease
to raise or purchase slaves as an inheritance for
their children when that day arrives the in
stitution may be regarded as virtually abolished in
the State. Meanwhile incendary documents
ers book, for example-would be as common in the
mails of this State they are in the nonslavehold-
| ing States. These documents would produce their
| results. To avert these calamties is the mission
and the business of the Democratic party. No 9th
er party is equal to this task. If Seward is defeat
ed, Democracy must do it. 1t do it. if it be not
crippled and embarrassed by new issues. What
| then? Shall we divide on State issue when the
State itself is to be saved? Shall we rush into the
burning house to save the furniture when the wife
and children are in danger of the flames? Shall we
open ranks and change the order of battle just as
the enemy is charging? Shall we stop to change
our Constitution when the threat is hanging over
us that if we do not submit to abolition rule that
Constitution itself will be tramPed under foot and
the State dragooned into mere province? What
ever may be our opinions on the subject of taxation,
| let US remain united The Democratic party is a
liberal, enlightened, tolerant party. Itproscribes
none of its members account of their opinions on
State affairs it erects no Procrustean bed to cut off
or draw out according to the within caprice Of the
moment. We have our own opinions on this sub
ject but intend to subordinate them on this and
all other questions to the great issue between abo
ton and Constitutional Unlon The only question
we shall ask will be- aoho the Democratic candi-
dates' We cannot trust Know Nothing leaders to
legslate for u.s. to represent in the United States
Senate or in the Governors chair to change Con-
situations. If the Constitution must be changed let
the Democrats, acting under instructions from the
people, effect the change in their own time and way.
When the time comes they will announce it, and
when the way is asked for they will point it out
They did this with Free Suffrage, and they can
do it with this new proposition if the people wish
it. But not nop. @
We do not believe that the Know Nothing leaders
sincere in their advocacy Of ad ralorem taxation.
This is hard saying but we mean what we say.
We do not believe they sincere, first, because
their candidate for Governor voted at the last
sion Of the Legislature against Convention, and
also against the principle of ad calore,n secondly
because Mcssrs. Badger, Graham and others ofthem
have always opposed the ad valorem principle in
federal taxbills; and thirdly, because Mr.. Badger
who told the rank and file to 60 home and advocate
I'D calorem because he said it right, had never
up to that day, said or done any thing which favor
Ned equality among the people. Again, these gentle
men say they want the Constitution amended by
Convention. Now they have enough intelligence te
know that q Convention will not be called by thu
next Legislature. 1t requires two-thirds vote t.
authorize Convention. Can they hope to obtair
thirty -four votes in the Senate and eighty votes ii
the Commons land that too for Convention fol
the purpose of making only alteration in thu
Constitution Fellow citizens, there is cat in tina
meal tub. Do you want Convention +? Not mar
Of you has said SO in your primary meetings: I
you want it. call tive not afraid to trust tn
people in Convention, or in any other capacity. Blu
the Convention, if called, must be unrestricted
There is no authority for limited Convention. Dt
you wish the present basis Of representation disturb
ed? If you d. vote for Convention; for you ma.
be sure that these gentlemen do not want body o
that kind merely to make amendment. But
you are satisfied with the present basis the sures
way to preserve it is to oppose Convention. Tn
neonle of the State do not want Conuenfinn at thi