Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-11-29


Vantages the public large and consequent claim upon
the for protection and determinations should
made for against the particular classes of persons
engaged in Them accordingly as these considerations may
indicate.
It were difficult indeed to lay down any general rule of
taxation suitable to every condition of society and adapted
everchanging circumstances of people. However this
may be, is confidently believed, that upon full consid
GRAFTON of the subject it will clearly appear that gener
and unqualified system of dd Ua0ren taxation
dped to the condition of people In which event there
would be necessity for amendment to the constitution
to produce conformity to such system:
1t will be borne in mind that there is in the constitution
limitation upon the power of the Legislature to increase
reduce the taxes slave property whenever the
the other become necessary produce just rela
between the amount of taxes collected from that and
other kinds of property The limitation consists in requ
ing uniformity of the poll tax upon white persons and
slaves white males only between the ages of 81 & As years.
and all slaves between the ages of II and so years. being
Whether this provision be just not in way
be satisfactory determined than by of
estimate made from the late be rated at
3l5 900 number While the white population numbers
900 The of taxes collected from the for
appears from the comprollers books is $l27662
and from the latter $685. for the year. These
sums, when apportioned among entire population of
each would allow 40 cents for every slave and 81 cents for
Now when the advantages derived from the
the various classes of citizens be considered is sub
is in its practical operation as above illustrated substan
| TALLY just towards all.
it is not however, financial but social question,
that this proposition OF amendment assumes its chief I'M
The entire exports of the surplus products of North Caro-
lima amount value far careful enquiry enables
determine $l2 O00 annually of which $l 0OO,
co., at least may Resulting directly and
edaely from slave labor This being taken as correct
appears then that whole social fabric based and
sustained by slave labor There scarcely occupation
of people, whether mechanical manufacturing
e professional that does not mainly depend upon for
support Without it, not railroad could be built and OF
those already constructed there would not exist the
of preventing their going decay Upon this labor rests
the public credit and without the State could not
dollar in the market though for the most useful purpose,
because she would be wholly unable to the interest on
the public debt already contracted Ia word the social
CHS geeces bor s 81
with u.s. could never be fully supplied for the most produc
tive portion of territory would not and could not be cu
In of these facts clearly the part of prudent
legislation to avoid carefully. every that would
tend to the expulsion of this species ofabor from the State
Already there exists heavy drain upon it, consequence
of the greater profits resulting from its employment in the
repeal clause Constitution in ques-
on and the consequences that would inevitably from
those already existing eXpe slaves the State does
not, to my mind. admit of doubt
Furthermore the constitution as it exists is consistent
with ITSELF All free men have the right of voting for
Members of both branches of the Legislature and all are
eminent We're this tax repealed there Would exist that
anomaly in free of the power imposing
resting with portion of our people, while the duty of
paying them would remain to the other Considered from
this point of view, this feature of constitution which
sought to be abrOgaed affords highly useful protection
to all kinds OF property OF whatever nature.
Before concluding this subject, would respectfully
suggest revision Of law with to it's
amendment such particulars the public may
require would especially recommend an amendment of
the principle heretofore indicated. Np'A
It'll believed that the condition of the public finances
will admit of reduction of the tax upon land from twenty
to fifteen cents on the hundred dollars value Such
ton between the land and that imposed pon ether pro-
FEDERAL RELATIONS.
would that could, consistently with due regard to the
lie interests conclude this communication with refer
enc simply domestic affairs. 1t is impossible how
ederacy growing out of the agitation that has many
years been kept against the institution of African Sa-
lUery pxiSti in the SODth
The Republic has at last fallen upon those evils against
which the Father of the Country soemny warned in
Earties founded upon geographical discriminations.
States entertain Numerically opposite opinions upon
the subject of African Slavery the former that So
tenn of labor emineny well adapted climate and soil
right and proper within itself, being SIM it's
Establishment among us is one of the Porvdences for
civiIzing and outstanding that benighted race.
Were these sentiments entertained abstract opinions
government it is far otherwise however This sentiment
with the people of the North has assumed the form of
bold and aggressive anaticism that seeks tie humiliation
slavery in the South at all hazards and regardless
That such its am the object and the end Of
its daily and hourly labors longer be the subject of
f asdoubt.
Impeled by this spirit the Northern States have violated
rights extent that would scarcely have been borne
by any other people EARTH They have deprived of
property through awles mobs acting under the
lion of high public opinion and often, too, with the
nvance of their constituted authorities. Organized
ties with them, have sent emmsares among nce
slaves to instruction and to boodshed Inammatory pub
caons counseng slaves to rise against their masters,
been Systematically circulated throughout the South
sed by its most Influential leaders The legislature of
large majority of the nonsavehoding States have by
solemn enactments openly and shamelessy annued
of the Constitution of the United States for the
fugitive slaves and have egisaed directly and
pontedy with the view to prevent the from
- ering such property
Courts of justice among them have upon than one
OCCASION totally dsregarded law OF Congress enacted to
our rights OF property and delivered over fugitive
to attendant mobs with knowledge Of their pur
ir pose to prevent their reclamation by force.
inf a
was deliberately planned and set foot by political soce
and high public confidence at the North for the
purpose of heading nsurrecton of slaves against he
The invaders came and in the night time fell up
a weak and unsuspecting community and murdered
peaceable and unarmed citizens.
When captured executed for their and
DER they amented by the great body of the people
North though they had fallen in the performance
meritorous public service. 1t be doubted wheh
history furnishes another instance among civilized
Ii where treason and murder have been sympalze
ne with applauded Since which time, most promi
nent in these demonstrations have been elevated to tn
highest offices of State thus evdencing the deep and per
vadng sentiment of hostility the North towards the inst
in tutions and the people of the South.
10. Such of the invaders escaped, habored in tn
nd nonsavehodng States and upon demand made accordn
all the constitution, the executives of
States Ohio and Iowa. poinedy refused to perfor
r. their v orn constitutional obligations by surrenderng the
~ to the justice they had fed.
,es Enormes like these could not have been perpetrate
ards the people foreign without nyoyiu
of the country in Indeed it is but mantle
people of the Southern States have in this
that protection for their property which the
ects of Great Britain France or any other foreign cou
try claim and enforce against Should the subec
e of foreign government be despoed of their proper
the peopleo Massachusetts other nsave
lily State restitution and indemnity would be made by
government demand refusas and war against
the United States would enforce indemnity. But should
people of Massachusetts, forciby deprive citizen Of Nor