The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-08-18
To the Democracy of Oregon.

have concluded, on due reflection, that
for us to do SO, on the present occasion,
is unnecessary. For series of years
past, almast without intermission, we
have been engaged in publishing Dem
ocratic newspaper; and our past history
will afford 4 very good index us to the
course we shall pursue in the future. We
would simply say that the STATE RIanrs
DEMOCRAT will advocate Democratic
measures and principles. 1t viii be one
of the expouents ofthe Democratic party
of Oregon 1t will contend for strict
construction of the Constitution; aud it
viii oppose every violation of it, no mat
ter by whom perpetrated. 1t will oppose
al! efforts to centralize power, because we
believe that the more power is difused
among, or retained by the people, the
better it will be for them. 1t will adyo-
cate the doctrine that each State has the
right to exercise all the powers Of SOW
Iereiguty, except such as have been dele
gated by them to the General Govern
ment. The course We shall adopt rela-
tive to President johnson is very plain
one. He was not elected by the Demo
cratic party, and therefore, in n party
sense, is not their President. Yet, when
ever he does right-whcneve he plants
himself firmly upon Democratic priuci-
Piles, we shall sustain him in all measures
Involving those principles. We cannot,
without stultifing ourselves, do other
wise. We shall oppose every movement
to enfranchisc the negro. or the China.
man, or the Indian, because they are not
qualified BY nature or education. to make
laws for Americans. We shall oppose all
attempts of Congress to make the Ameri-
can people support the negro. The Rad
icals told Us, while the war was in pro-
gress, that if once free the negro could
take care of himself Some even claimed
that he made better soldier than a
white man. and that he il was who saved
the Government" If he is so wonder
fully smart-if he was capable of saw
ing the Government by his extraordinary
valor and genius, he certainly can now
take care of himself. We insist he shall
do so; and We solemnly protest against
taxing white men to support him in idle
ness. Federal taxes are already sufficient
II heavy; and if it is insisted that the
blessed negro shall be supported by the
earnings wrung from the white tax-pay-
crs Of America, we shall contend that
Congress ought TO pass law to take care
Of aud protect INDECENT white men, aud
women, and children. We suppose i
white man, or woman. is as good as i
negro, particularly if the aforesaid white
woman bviIavr themselves prUp-
crly; and that hence they are as much
entitled to the munifccnce and kindly re.
CARDS of the Federal Government rs the
negro. Whether or not Federal bonds
should be taxed is also question which
we shall discuss through the columns oi
the DEMOCRAT. Our total national in
debtedness. according to the most au:hen
! - .,,J -nf..tIo .o,,..o. r. =. =. -
amounts now to at least four billions o
dollars. 1t Is as great or greater thar
that Of Great Britain. 1t will require al
the wisdom. energy, industry and econom,
of which the people of this country ar,
| possessed, ever to pay this debt Grca
Britain, with more taxable property anC
a greater population than the Unitet
States, boldly proclaims to the world tha
she cannot pay her public debt; that the
most she can do is to pay the intercs
arising thercfrom as it falls due. W,
see no good reason why bondholder
should be exempt from taxation. WheI
there is heavy load to bear, all the mem
bers Of community should bear their du
proportion Bondholdcrs are no bette
than other people-most of them not s
good. Why exempt them from taxation
Why make the laborer, the mechanic
and others, pay their taxes? WHY buil'
up privileged class in this country
Is this right? What justice is there il
it? Why discriminate against the poo
and in favor Of the rich? If Congress
discriminate at all it should be in favo
q Of the poor and against the rich. Blu
We do not desire this; let each one bea
his due proportion of the public burden
and every good man will be satisfied.
Under ordinary circumstances W
might stop here but few words NOR
are deemed necessary. On conyersin
with sundry leading citizens of this cour
ty VIC have ascertained that feeling
5 distrust exists, to a greater or less degrc,
in the minds of many in community rel;