The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-05-24
Taxatien.

For the last four years, the war has en-
crossed SO much Of public attention, that
the people have had little time or opportu-
nifty to think Of anything else. But now,
as there is q reasonable prospect that hos
t~ilities are at an end, it becomes the peo-
pic Of the country to give earnest heed
to other subjects Of paramount import
ance, which affect their interests deeply
and vitality. Foremost among these is
the subject Of taxation. The magnitude
Of the debt incurred BY the war is almost
beyond computation.
But the great. the leading fact, to DO
taken into consideration ia, that the vast
amount required to discharge this debt,
or to meet the interest upon it, must be
drawn directly from the labor and not the
capital Of the country. This is q fact
that should not for o moment be lost
sight Of.
This has been the case, to some extent,
at least, under every Administration Of
the Government, for the reason that cap
ital can be concealed, while the home aud
the stock Of the farmer, mechanic and la
borer cannot be. Men os wealth, too,
generally manage, even if taxed to the
full extent Of their means, to secure aud
Offset in the shape Of office, contracts, OF
privileges Of some sort, which l, not &C
cessible to those whose whole time and
energies are needed for the current sup,
port Of themselves and families.
But these inequalities, are now made
the more conspicuous and oppressive by
the postipe action Of the Government, in
exempting its bonds from taxation. Nil,
lions upon millions, in this State alone,
which have heretofore, as money at in
~tertst, contributed revenues to the State,
are now Withdrawn from the list Of taxa.
Bile property, and stored away in govern.
ment bonds, drawing extra interest, which
is a part Of the public debt, and which
other property must DO doubly taxed TO
pay. One man has a thousand dollars at
interest. Before the LIST Of April he col.
lected it, and concealed itin Government
bonds, and thus escapes taxation, An
other has a farm worth a thousand dol
lars. His local taFos will be increased
notsnly by the diminished amount al
taxable property occasioned BY his neigh
boris action, but by the necessity Of pay.
ing his peighbor's interest.
There is a palpable and manifest in.
justice and oppression in this kind ofleg.
i~slation, and it ought to be remedied. 1t
can be, but it will take time to do it., The
great mass of the people, upon whom this
burden falls so heavily, must take the
matter in hand in a legal and Legitimate
way, and correct the evil. The way to
do it, is to restore the good old days Of
Democratic supremacy, and with it the
cardinal principle Of that party, that the
burdens, as well as the blessings of q
free government, should be borne alike
by the rich and the poor. The stare and
infamous doctrine Of ancient federalism
-"Let the Government take care Of the
rich, and the rich will take care Of the
poor'-should be repudiated and de
nounced by every man worthy Of the
name Of freeman.
Let Democrats again be placed in Office
and Democratic principles be again re
stored, and the evils and oppression
which now weigh SO heavily upon the in
dustry and prosperity of the people, vii
soon be swept awuy.-Ddyton Empire.