The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-04-17

THE TAX ON NEGRoEs.-The oppositionists
in the West and in those portions of the State
where negro property is scarce, assert that the aim
of the opposition party is to tax negroes on the
ad valorem notwithstanding to value. They
say that the tax on that kind of property should
be increased in order to make it pay its due pro-
portion. OF course this tends to arouse the feel
ings OF the man who owns no slaves against the
man who is a slave-owner. This of itself, ought
to cause the defeat of the opposition party but
when it is remembered that slave property does
noac pay its fair proportion Of tores directly and
indirectly the glaring injustice Of the agitation
this subject, by the enemies of the democratic par
ty, is very plain. But is the opposition party in
earnest about this matter, or they only striving
to get into power by making political capital out
of the question? Are they not trying to deceive
some one? 1t is well known that they have Eere-
tofore resOrted to any sort of trick in order to
obtain power, and if they do so in this CAM
pagn they will certainly do it. They will bear
watching.
The opposition patform-written, it is said, by
a very respectable and honorable old gentleman
who wants seat in the U. S. Senate again-is
notions of those who stand upon it, whether they
oppose or favor the increase of the tax on negroes
Now let US see how this can be done. The resou-
ton on this subject declares that the opposition
party is in favor Of calling Convention Z" for the
purpose of so modifying the Constitution that every
species Of property may be taxed according to its
value, with power to discriminate only in favor of
a. # bo ip1u riol
pursuits of her citizens" This is what the opposi-
tion platform says. Well, suppose Convention
is called, and the heavy expense attending it in
Cured, and some member of the opposition party
gets up and proposes that negroes be taxed accord
ing to value-young, old, big andafttle. There
upon, another member of the same party jumps up
and says oh, no, gentlemen, we promised to dis
criminote g in favor of the m0tjce products of
State"-you may tax every negro not born in the
State, but you can't touch the naticcs. Now who
will decide which is right? Again: suppose the
same opposition gentleman proposes to tax pleasure
vehicles and real estate, including houses; when
another member again objects by saying that the
opposition platform proposed to discriminate in IA
vor of the industrial pursuits of our citizens and
are not carriages and houses built by our own
tive mechancs-if you can find any carriages or
dwellings, or store-houses not built by ''our citi
zens, you may tax them, but you can't interfere
with the industrial pursuits" of the citizens of
the State. Both opposition gentlemen will stand
upon the platform, but differ materially to
its meaning.
We ask the people of North Carolina if it don't
look like some body is to be cheated and deceived
With such a difference of opinion between men,
bers Of the party, what good would the "cqual
taxation" cry do? None at all. The people would
have to pay as muchsmOney, or more, for holding
a Convention they now pay fesa session of the
Legislature, and get equal Taxation either.
So We hope no one will suffer himself to be de-
ceived by the humbugSing talk of opposition pa
pers about Equal Taxation"