The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-22
Horn STATION, 8. @. Aptn n, 1886.

Mn, EpgToR: Will you allos ian humble
voter topresent a few thoughts for the
consideration OF his fellow citizens, through
the medium Of yonr valuable paper? They
have reference TO our situation rs State
ia relation to the duty Of collecting and
paying the taxes. There evidently exists
some confusion ON this subject, which re-
'quises sonae time and o little mutual con-
ferencoto prepare US to perform this duty
with O hearty will. This might not be me-
cessary, II the facilities for transmitting,
generally, public information were more
available than they are. We wish to pre-
sent, first, some thoughts partaking OF the
character of, the laws of nature and of
civil society. States are. political bodies,
embracing societies Of men, formed to-
gether under constitutional and statutory
laws for mutual safety and advantage. A
State thus becomes q moral person, ana is
susceptible OF moral obligations and laws
Their rights and liberty by nature are thus
merged into civil society, having special
ends to accomplish among which are the
peaceful possession of property, protection
Of the person, methods of obtaining jus-
tice with security, rules to equalizc the
expenses OF Government, and for mutual
defence against all violence threatening
any wrong to the civil community. Each
individual has entered into all agreement
with all, to procure the common welfare,
by protecting ana defending each other,
and thus preserving their status. We have
been organized as State, aud been acting
as i. State, according to u specified Consti-
tuition and published laws, up to the pre-
sent time, as near as was possible under
70 o1ro rVaoko A,.l
have been the obstacles growing out of
the civil war, nothing has get occurred to
destroy our political organization; on the
contrary, it is in the way of bringing its
disturbed machinery into regular opera
ton again. 1t would be absurd and cri-
minal in any member OF this State to on
deavor to defeat the ends Of society as our
| case now stands. We are willing to be-
lieve that every citizen will, in due time,
do his duty.
There are murmurs about the dog tax;
and some III reference to the poll-taX; but
we believe there is q general Willingness to
pay the land-tax, &c. Whatever force there
may be in the objections to some items of
| taxation, there are reasons in existence
which should induce us to pass over them
,'o@. SoDe''eagnty originally vested in the
body OF the people, but for convenience in
administering authority or government,
this authority has been transferred to
executive, legislative and judicial depart
mentS, according to tho Constitution. But
the people arc still the source of sovereign
ty, and hold the transferred authority
responsible at the ballot-boX, where the
abuse Of power may be remedicd. Public
authority must not be resisted when con-
stitutionally exercised, unless there be
urgent reasons for it. 1t must be remcm-
herea by the members of the body polite
that the Constitution and laws are the
basis OF public tranquility, and that muir
murs and discontents should not go so far
as to mark opposition with the character
Of sedition, rebellion, and reputation OF
laws necessary for the common good
The writer would here close, by request
ing tax-collectors and assessors, especially
i'll the burnt districts, not to be over
anxious to finish their work, as the tax
Act gives them till August to make their
returns: Light as the tax may be regard
ed, it will be difficult for many in The dis
tricts to meet the demands. In the assess
ments OF the boards, We hope all the
leniency possible will be shown. Give the
citizens all the time You can to prepare for
the emergency. Give time and opportu-
nifty to confer with each other on the sub
ject, and We apprehend that good feeling
and unity may be the result. j. Z. II.