Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-04-09
TURNING THE THUMB
SCREW.
a Direct Tax ON the South.
From tho New Orleans Times.

L from tue new OTleauo 4lmcs-
| The House Committee of Congress has
been instructed it seems, to inquire into
the expediency of reviving and enforcing
direct tax on the Southern States.
The South has ceased to complain of any
exactions which the government may
make. She is no longer selfgoyerned.
If she has representatives, they are pow
erless to modify or change the will Of the
dominant party. For the most part they
are its creatures, and echo its opinions.
II they would speak for the South on an
occasion like this who would listen to
them? Stree the war the South has
become q mere cipher at Washington.
She is the victim Of the powers that be.
Does the government want more money?
Well! tax the South and raise it. The
Seath is meek; she is submissive, she
will not utter word in opposition, what
ever her masters may command.
The committee are instructed TO in>
qnire, not whether it is right to levy a
direct tax on the South, bat whether il
is expedient. Expedieney is simply to
be the rule Of judging. 1t would not do
for the committee TO inquire whether
such proceeding would be right. The |
committee are we'll aware. at the outset,
that it would be unconstitutional, and |
wrong-not to be thought |
OF for moment. When taxes are TO be
raised by government, they sre to be
equally apportioned throughout the
States, not levied on this or the other
section of the country. On principles Of
Jaw and equity, the South cannot be bur-
iened with taxes, while the North is ex-
empt from the imposition. Ten years
lgo, would it ever have entered into the
heads of our Federal lawmakers to levy
direct tax on the South for the support
VI the government, or for the payment
" its debts? We need not answer this
question. The most chimerical dreamer
would never have imagined such
No the committee are instructed TO
INQUIRE into the expediency of this pro
eeding. Would it be sound policy? Is
likely that the impoverished South,
lready ground TO death by taxes, will be
BILE to bear an increase of the burden B.?
AN it stand up under it +? Already
rained Of her resources, and making a
struggle to live, and catching
straws for the purpose, is this favor,
bic time for Wrestling from her the last {
alt loaf she has in her possession ? l
ONE Of the committee, and perhaps the I
IajOrity, may regard it wise course-a {
piece of policy, creditable to }
leir character as men and statesmen. .
Very expedientd" they may exclaim,
md if the South will lot pay the tax, ;
ectuse it cannot, it must be forced to do L
That is ALL" t
1t would seem actually incredible, did b
Ut the recent proceedings of Congress O
rtify the fact, that so inhuman, so in 4
llting, so unconstitutional, so barefaced n
as this should be enter~
ined by sane men, protesting to be b
in this nineteenth century, =
ID that it should be grayely submitted .
r the consideration Of a committee of u
avs and means, intrusted with provid- "
g means to sustain the governs il
nment of great nation. Really, men, D
rs Of Congress must have very little to "
/, when they can occupy their time +,
It'll such puerile and contemplate is e
es, and publish them to the world =
1ong the results Of their assembled x x
is ION. u