Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-06-28
From the Daily Journal of the 23d inst.
SDeecIa of Mr., HaWVvOod

and intelligent audience wrapt in attention one of the
most logical able and mastery arguments upon the
subject of I'D VdLorem taxation which we have ever
heard from any man. His speech was characterized
throughout by fairness ulness of research and prour
dy OF thought and by its total freedom from egotisn
cap-trap and humbuggery. We regret that limited
space will prevent our attempting anything more than
cursory sketch, instead of report.
He deprecated the introduction at this time-when
the constitutional rights of the South eopardzed
and her institution assaied OF issue in North Caro-
na the inevitable tendency of the discussion of which
to excite sectional jealousy to array one class OF our
fellow citizens against another and to nclte the zeal and
strengthen the hands of the Black Republican party
He deprecated the proposed change in the constitution
being in violation Of plghted faith. ard subver-
8ive of the compromise made by the Constitution OF
1886 between the East and West the slavehodng and
savehodipg sections of the State He opposed
to the mode of an open Convention called upon the
federal basis proposed to bring about this change
In that Convention the West would have tie power,
and he referred to the Western Address," issued by
the Opposition leaders of that section in 1851 prove
that their object in calling such Convention would be
to abolish the present basis of representation in the Sen
ale House OF OOnIIlOuS IIdSl pdyIuS
much the largest proportion OF taxes, would be
completely in the power OF the West bound hand and foot
He did not believe that the people of the West were
less magnanmGuS than tie people OF any other section,
nor did he believe that the in the West had de-
manded this change The change, if effected will have
been brought about by the Opposition leaders, with
view to their obtaining political trust and power
If the Opposition sincere in wishing only the change
they propose, why incur all these risks? Why by
open Convention reduce society into chaos and re-
solve government into it's original elements? Why incur
heavy expense Why give rise to strife and sectional
dscor when this change could be better Effected by the
mode pointed out in the Constitution by legislative enact
ment mode which wisely shielded the people from the
dangers of hasy action involving changes in the Organic
Law. He then proved that the Opposition platform, if
it meant anything, meant to tax oil species of proper
ty discriminating only between the native products
other States. He conclusvely demonstrated that to
make Uaiue, in money the only standard and basis of
taxation must in its operation be oppressive ard unjust
and that no system of taxation could work equally and
proftaby according to all experience and the dictates
of political science unless due regard PAID not only
to the moned value of the article taxed but also to the
cost of its protection its productveness, the ability of
the owner to pay the out of his profits whether ii
be luxury or neces sty, and whether its ownership
should be fosered or discouraged by the State.
He then investigated the practical operation of this
scheme and taking Mr. POOLS estimate OF the value of
the property of the State to be $70OOOO,O0O, he de-
monsrated by array of figures which cannot e that
if the ad vaorem system be introduced for raising
venue for County purposes (which it is admitted by the
Opposition should be the case that then the present
State and County tax on slaves and land would be
greatly reduced and that to make up the deficiency in
revenue after having taxed ad vaorem all property
taxed tax must be laid upon articles which
not enumerated in the Revenue BILL such crops, pro-
visions, farming implements, mechanics tools, horses,
CATTLE household and kitchen furniture which are often
the poor mans all Thus exploding the argument sought
be used that ad vaorem to benefit the poor man, and
the nonslavehoder. IT, then he were asked why were
shareholders here opposed to the SYSTEM he would reply
because, in permitting the clause which now protects
the species of property from excessive taxation to be
stricken out they would be yielding up great prnc
pie That clause insisted upon and fought for by
such men Meares CASTOR Branch and number of the
wisest and best men in the State in 1885 1t was an es
sentia demand of them and the entire East, without
pledged compliance with which the part of the West
The Convention of 1885 could never have been called We
may be assured they have good for its insertion In
every slaveholding State, except perhaps two slave
property is expressly protected 10 their State Constu
ton. 1t is peculiar species Of property From its
value it is almost certain that the majority in the State
will be nonsavehoders. Slaves not simply proper
ty-ther personality cannot be ignored. They in
part to be regarded population. They compose in
part the labor of the State and the labor of the State
should be taxed with the utmost caution. The black
poll tax is four times as high the tax white
polls, &c.
We particularly struck with the force of that
part of Mr.. Haywood's argument. wherein he demon
straed that the landed qualification of the voter for Sen
ator part of the compromise of 1885, and that
the Free Suffrage" amendment in no way nterFered
herewith In this imperfect sketch do not pretend
to give full report of this admirable speech. 1t
an effort which reflected the greatest credit upon the
speaker, and will rebound to the good of his party.
From the Daily Journal of the 2lst inst.
The Opposition
Held meeting at the Court House last night for the
purpose, understood, of forming club of their
party, to be called the Union Club"
o. G. Parsley Esq, called to the chair aud ad-
dressed the meeting in short Introductory urging upon
the people, natives and NATURALIZED FOR
EIGNERS," to come up and sign their names to the