Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-09-29
Joint Discussion Between N. M. Strong
and Allen Warden.

den, was listened to by numbers suf-
ficient to fill the room. 1t was the
first Of their series of meetings for
discussion. Strong being the chal-
longing party and prepared of course,
Warden labored under every disad-
vantage, yet was considered q full
match for Strong. Usually the chal-
longing party affirms much more
than he denies, but Strong affirmed
but to deny and attacked everything.
He was however, neutral upon the
war for the union--though favoring
all the Compromises an recognizing
as facts the abolition OF slavery and
the failure of the South tn carry their
old and cherished doctrine of seces
sion.
His great hobby was the matter of
finances and taxation. He did not
say it ia words, but he doubtless
holds to the equal taxation OF all
property for paying the national debt,
as announced in the democratic plat.
form that is, that land and the d.
rect products of labor, snch as manu-
features, live stock and money in
hand, shall be taxed equally with in.
comes, liquor, tobacco and imports
The design of the republican party
is TO raise and pay interest and prin-
cipal of the national debt, as far as
possible, from the incomes and luxu-
ries of the country. But there is be.
ing made such fusS about it that in
all probability the idea of incomes,
liquors tobacco and imports will
have TO be abandoned as sources of
revenue, and the burthen of u. S.
Revenue be raised from lands, horses.
cattle, manufactures, money and cred.
its, crops, &c. The people seem UNI
willing to stand up fairly for their
interests in these matters, while the
dealers in the luxuries are active for
democracy and a more general taxa>
ton of all property, which of course
must measurably excuse from taxa
ton the luXuries of the rich and heap
the burthen upon the laboring masses.
Mr.. Strong was wise enough to not
openly advocate the like, but what
IA the world else could be mean by
denouncing the present revenue ba>
sis and the method of raising revenue,
and preaching up "equal taxation. >
Mr.. Strong varied from the demo-
cratic platform in the matter of the
bond taxation question-of course ad
vocating what may seem to him pop
ular with unthinking people.
Warden's answers to Strong upon
the finance issues were brief and
pointed. The whole southern wing
of the democratic party and a large
share of the northern will never if it
can be helped pay dollar of the ma :.
tional debt due on bonds, greenbacks
or anything else, and would if in their
power assume the whole rebel debt
in view of SO charging the war debt
for the union that no part can be
paid. Disatfection toward the pub
lie debt and bondholders is what the
democracy are after, and that accom-
plished it Will be easy to repudiate
the whole; and TIE public credit so
used up that the government cannot
borrow, the matter of secession may
come up and laugh al all efforts at
suppression. AS goes the public cred
it, so goes the country.
Another great hobby of Mr.. Strong
was Reconstruction his remedy
being the immediate and uncondition-
al admission Of the rebel and still re-
belng States to all their origina,
rights in tho union-being exactly
Satan's idea as reproduced by Milton :
These rebelling hosts OF rebel cause
Still muster in the air.
They ask for restoration to that estate
Whence they cast away
without condition, still intent to SIM
But no whore in the realms above
Is there a hone for fallen man,
And no salvation; except in Christ--
Inc sole condition, their full repentance
And their re-acceptance at the throne"
Nov, if democracy can improve
any upon the plan of reconstruction
devised by the Almighty, in view OF
re-instating the fallen angels, VIZ
think Mr.. Strong is the genius fol-
the task-though we shall stand back
and doubt.
Mr.. Strong would like 30 know
why and what stands In the way of 9
full restoration of rebel States a,
once. Answer: Did you ever read
the laws of rebel States upon their
going out Of the union IL 1861 and
since-all Of which laws would now
be in fOrce were the Reconstruction
acts OF Congress made void by dem,
ocratic ascendency? Read as spec,
linen the following amendment to
the Constitution of Florida
same now law if Mr.. Strong is right
and il Congress is wrong:
"Resolved, that Sec. of Art. 2 OF
the Constitution of Florida be so
amended as TO read as follows:
"No citizen OF any State now ut
war with the Confederate States of
America shall ever become a citizen
OF the State of Florida nor shall any
citizen OF any such foreign State ever
be allowed TO own real estate or car
ry on trade or do any manufacturing
within the State aud it shall be the
duty OF the Legislature to enact laws
for carrying into effect this amended
article"
Wen, IN part to get rid of such
laws and for great many other rea-
sons still more rational, Congress has
seen III to go about such Re-construc.
ton means as would clear the South
OF sll such anti-democratic practice
as that of Florida.
Why, according to such Florida
legislation as the above-the same
now in force but for the laws of Con
gress which Mr.. Strong says are void,
he, or ANY other democrat, would
not dare go to Florida to own lands,
or live, or do business. ANY free
Niger of any ex>rebel State might 90
and have most of the rights Of men
in Florida, but no democrat could go
there from Wisconsin and have any
rights at all Mr., Strong would
stand below the niggerS in Florida,
aud generally stand no better in any