Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-09-04
Con ii ScatiOn.

We had supposed that with the death of
! Thad. Stevens, all schemes of confscation,
even mild confiscation," were ended
| To be sure we felt, and have so stated, that
when property was to be taxed by the repre-
! sentatives of mendicants and paupers, the
burdens would become greater than could
be borne-mount beggars on horseback and
they would be sure to ride their steeds to
death. But we were not prepared to be-
ieve that any one would openly propose
and advocate the taxation of real estate to
such an extent as to compel its sacrifice for
the avowed purpose of effecting its parti-
ton and division among the landless. But
in this we were mistaken. The adventur-
ers who preside over the Standard newspa-
per, having grown fat from the drippings
of the State Treasury during the few
months they have been public printers,
are now demanding that our people shall
be further robbed for their own benefit
and that of their party friends. In look
ing out for their "pals, they show at least
that "honor among thieves - is not al
together myth. While enjoying fat job
themselves, being willing to provide for
others, is at least more liberal spirit than
that which characterizes most of the polit-
ical vultures who have seized upon poor
old North Carolina and are battening upon
her carcass.
It is we'll known that in response to the
order of Holden. and such tools as Smith,
of the North Carolina Railroad, and Stan
ly, of the Atlantic Railroad, to give office and
employment to none but partisans, that the
Democrats and Conservatives of the State
have openly declared that they will give
preference, in all branches of business and
labor. to their party friends. The result
being that the rule works both ways very
we'll, only lille more so against them, these
men now seek by threats and intimidation
to deter our property holders from work
ing for their own interests. Here IS the
plan proposed by the Standard:
whenever the Republicans have control of a
county, let a meeting of the commissioners be
called at once. Let them make out list of all
the cOlored stole-masons, brick-layers plaster
ers. painters and carpenters. Then let them Sc
lect site of sufficient dimensions for village of
the case may be. The work itself will give en-
ployment to a considerable number of persons
and some time will be required to complete it
Then let the county paupers be moved in and be
provided with houses and food at the expense of
those who have made them paupers. Let the tax
be laid to effect only the large land holder.
Not one in twenty Ownes any land at all and the
large land holders arc much rarer. This tax will
fall lightly upon the great mass of the people,
while the oppressive landholder will be compelled
to throw his broad acres upon the market to raise
money to pay the taxes. And in addition to this
let the Legislature deprive these exacting tyrants
of the benefits Of the stay law and compel them
to pay their debts. Pass their lands under the
sherifs' hammer and give the poor chance to
buy land.
This, then, is their plan to accomplish the
confscation of our lands. Here is a base
appeal to the landless by this party of
peace against the few, the Zone in twen-
ty," who may own land. Here is an allur-
ing temptation to the poor-a wicked,
shameless, lawless, revolutionary scheme to
make good the Radical promise of forty
acres and mule" to the poor negroes
whom they have cajoled into their party
under this tempting offer. This damning
advice follows an excuse and justification of
the frequent larcenies which have made the
negroes in certain sections of this State
the worst of pests, and farming attended
with the greatest of risks. Says this de-
lectable sheet in this connection, "Of
course it is not to be supposed that men
and women and children will starve to
death while corn is still standing in the
fields, and while hogs and cattle are not
except under lock and key"
Do these strangers suppose by such
means peace will be maintained in North
Carolina. and prosperity be renewed ?-'