The Indianapolis daily herald., 1865-12-18
For the indianapolis Daily Hersla
nm ~ ..In..

Our Rulers.
Al indefinabe terror is creeping over the
people II the land-men pause in their speech,
and man looks askance at man-fears are
aroused. and the hearts Of all but the blinded
are failing them for fear.
The times Of Catalina would seem 10 be re-
yiyed in and transferred 10 America. Heaven
<send us a Ciceraste rebuke the foul conspira-
Tors. and expose their shameless designs.
Never since the worlds history commenced
did more shameless lust of power, a more
astounding recklessness Of honorable courses
possess party. than would seem 10 animate
the political policy Of our Republican leaders;
and yet they pirate Of patriotism of love, Of
devotion To country, with gllbness That re-
minds one of the Devils love Of holy water.
Taxation is a necessity, and no lover of his
country would oppose It's Legitimate enactment
and disbursement, but il meh falter on the
spoils that raised from the pockets of 4 too
trusting people, let them beware the ''dies
vice."
Taxation has ever been question of grave
import; the greatest spirits, the master minds
Of the world, have ached and suffered i'm the
agitation of the question:; and the most elo-
quent pens have been welded i'm the conside-
ration of this mOmentous matter. Burke de-
clares that e the greatest contests for freedom
in England were from the earliest times chiefly
upon the question Of taxing" This was not
on account ofthe money that was involved, but,
as in the days of England's oppression of our
land, so IN all time principle has been the mo-
tive power, the incentive TO resistance i'm the
hearts of the good. Undoubtedly opposition
10 lawful imports is veXatious often. The
hydra headed monster" in all times and in
all seasons, has been unreasoning and peryerse.
The Roman Salinat0r was n case in point his
tax upon salt raised an army, but procured
him the odium ef tile pcOple-but in his coun-
try's need he ied the army and saved Rome.
MIR. nallam observes that the sting Of taxation
u tcdStefulaeSS. How like We that idea, ye
Republican members of this, your day of
power.
There was a time but few years ago. when
some regard was had for the feelings of the
people, when taXati0n-Such taxation "a the
Constitution and good Usage sanctioned, was
CARRIED aeceptably, because truthnlly. but
now the hldeous reality, with all its fearful
oppression DEMANDS at the hands of the OBJ
pressed, a ready sanction, and rccklessv
brands with the impItatiou Of disloyalty, the
man who dares to oppose its tyranncal be-
hests. The very gifts of Heaven are married
with odious impostS, and mans gratitude for
his Gods mercles Is married with hatred. for
the OppressOrs who would tax the air that he
breathes, or the light of day that dawns upon
MN, Dut brings no hope of better Things. We
dwell upon no personalities. we desire neither
NJ home nor abroad to expose those monstrous
incidents of the late war, which have enriched
Deggars We kROtr those to whom the return
OF peace has brought no gladness. We do not
aiInde 10 The stricken inourncrs of the land,
ache nor pain amidst the horrors of the coun
Try : throes, revel upon spells which have been
gorged from too willing victims. We NAV not
hope for happier things till public opinion.
pointing sc0rnfully ut the evil ones. bids them
dlsgOrge their ill gotten wcalth-till the same
re>istless power pulls from their lofty seats
the men who frame.llnjust and iniquitous laws.
grinding Us with taxes hard to be borne We
have said enough TO show that we make no at
tack upon legitimate taxation. We war against
a nr Ia af MI. H..
seems 10 possess the political aScentcncy of the
day; suddenly, and TO themselves unexpected
~, Drought into power. they illustrate the old
adage OF the beggar ON horseback Unhappilv
the evils attendant upon their aggradizement
are not confined to their own party cOrruptlon,
Cupidity, the "dtieni dppeteRS sui Drofnsus,
Is theirs, ior W., the endurance OF "A malignant,
Nengeiui. unrelenting party spirit
do not propose within the limits of this
communication To dwell upon the specialites
oil the taxation by which we are burdened-
we know how unequal those burdens archie
necessities Of the poor are taxed but the rich
man injuries are well nigh exempt With
hold your ruthless hands, oh. We rulers. lest We
near the fatal cry, Ito your tents, oh Israeli
History affords many EXAMPLES of mighty
states crushed by their own greatness. moi he
cause OF that greatness, hut from the wicked
edhess OF those In high places. All civil Gov
ernments equally with military despotisms
Undergo change, the mightiest monarchs have
oO''o ,"9ec'e. empires OF highest clylllZa-
uon, ana most formidable powers. have twin-
dled into semi-barbaric and tributary states:
anu III DehOoNes us well 10 remember that lust
a. states struggling heroically through con-
inst>, tht called for deeds OF self-denial. patri-
utisih, ana devoted bravery. worthy the admi-
ration of the world. have risen to foremost posi-
lions among the nations of the carth-So they
nave fallen when their virtues became vices
lhelr love OF country degenerated to love of
sen, anu deN oted courage gave place to abjeet
eo"ardlce. Our Republican leaders would
stem 10 have renOunced the study of the
Fathers of the Republic. of Washington .Jefer-
er~on or Jackson sterling Democrats that they
were anu TO have invoked for their guidance
the spirits OF Nero, Catigula and Tibullus
WIN these leaders learn wisdom: Let Us
hope
:" IL may he on that darkness which they find
Nithln their hearts Sudden light hath
shined.
Making reflections Of some hinqs to come.
Which leave within them musings trouble
To their weak minds, or too intricate
For them 10 put in order or relate"
IL does not require the spirit of inspired
prophecy 10 declare that the government of a
land like this can only exist in pristine purity
Just 80 long as that purity OF thought and act
which animated theflcarfs of our forefathers
shall animate the minds of their descendants.
shall not the past teach YOU wisdom. We
rulers OF the people. Let the philosophy of
history. blending the past with the present.
teach Nou such lessons shall induce YOU
hereafter To acts that shall command admira-
ton abroad ana lasting gratitude ri home.
III has been observed tiIat the best way to /
Keep rocks from returning is To pull down |
Their nests. Not ours l. the wish TO abrdge
10y one day your terms Of Office; but 80 surely /
n the consciousness Of wrong in YOU dawns I
upon the minds of the American people. just 80 4
certainly You will be consigned 10 forcetfulness +
10 that contemptuous oblivion from which you 4
can never rise. Know. too. that though the I
nilltiiudes live only among the shddOrs Of |
the things Of the present. the learned. busted 1
with the past, can only trace the teachings Of l
The past. 50 you who should be learned from
among the people-the philosophers Of the
past should live. work. and prepare for the .
20 live that posterity should l
blessed in the wisdom and integrity Of your
rule. Trrt-s.
For the I0dianapolis Daily Eeraid.
Mr.. EDITOR-Sir: notice that am report /
Ell IN your paper LAY a. having voted in favor