Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1866-09-26
The Taxation that is Coming.

Our people, comparatively, have not as
yet felt the weight of taxation which their
Republican oppressors have fastened upon
them. The American people were opulent-
blessed with wealth never before, in any
country, so equally and impartislly distnbut-
ed. Elsewhere there has been greater wealth;
but it was in the hands of few to the ex-
clusion Of the many. Here every one had a
competency, or the means of its attainment.
The Republican party came into power. It
waged horrid and murderous warfare for
four long years. a million Of our young
men-producers OF wealth-Were buried in
the trenches. To that eXteDt-simost meal
culable-the wealth and resources of the
country were diminished. Then public debt
was piled up, so stupendous in amount as TO
be almost inconceivable. Then taxation came
The people were required to surrender to the
Government accumulations Of long years Of
economy and labor. This they have done,
ungrudginglY, under the persuasion that it
was duty. Out Of every four hours labor,
the wages of three hours are demanded by
the Government. They have yielded to this
eXaction likewise. The consequence is not
yet plain to all, but there are those who see
to what it is leading. Poverty is stealing up
on the masses. Destitution is on their track
Ere long the wolf will be at the door. And
then, instead Of citizens, we shall have peas
ants. Instead Of equality, we shall have class
and caste. The few will be rich, the many
pauperized.
In the subjoined horrid picture of taxation
in the latter days of Rome, ss given by a
contemporary observer, the American people
may read what the near future has for them:
" A more terrible picture has never been
drawn than that left US by Lactantus, OF this
murderous strife between tFe hungry treasu-
ry and the worn-out people, who could suf-
fer, and die, but not pay: $50 numerous
were the receivers, in comparison with the
payers, and so enormous the weight of taxa
tion, that the laborer broke down, the plains
became deserts, and the woods grew where
the plOw had BEEN
But the public distress, the universal mourn
ing was when the scourge Of the census came,
and its takers scattering themselves in all
directions, produced general confusion, that
can only hken to the misery of hostile
invasion or OF q town abandoned 10 the sol
diery. The fields were measured TO the very
clods; trees counted each vine plant num-
bered. Cattle were registered as well as
men. Neither old age nor sickness were ex-
empted the sick and infrm were alike sum-
moned. In taking ages they added to the
years of children, and sub,racted from those
Of the elderly Grief aud CONSERVATION fill
ed the land Not satisfied with the returns
Of the first enumerators, they then sent out a
succession of others, who each swelled the
yaIuation--as a proof Of service done; and
so the imposts went on increasing. Yet the
number Of cattle fell off, and the people died.
Nevertheless, the survivors had TO pay the
taxes of the dead "-iTchelsrs History Of
France.
That foreshadows the taxation that is soon
to be upon our people. Itindicates the means
that will be employed to raise it. 1t is 3
faint picture of the distress that is approach
ing. Look out for the census of 1S70l In
Democratic days, the census taker inquired
the resources of the people. But it was not
to tax them. 1t was only to make manifest
to the world how rich cur peopl were. There
was no hungry treasury in Democratic days.
No taxoppressed people. But the next CEN
sustakers, like those of Rome, will constrain
the enumeration OF every item of value the
people shall possess, that it may be listed to
be taxed. Taxed for what2 To pay inter
est on bonds held by a privileged elass-a
Black Republican Bond Aristocracy-wh
are exempt from taxation, and live in luxury
off the labor Of their enslaved lellow-ciiisensl