The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1869-04-30
MARIETTA, GEORGIA, FRIDAY MO
Che sslarietta SOarnal.
Marietta, Georgia.
Friday Morning April 30, 80.
FOR THE MARIETTA JOURNAL

OPPRESSIVE TAXATION AGAIN.
MIR, EDIToR:--When wo speak to
some men of the enormous taxes that
are wrung from poverty-strlcken, sub
dued and down-trodden people, it is en-
CURED, "what good will it do to COM
plain, how can we help ourselves =
The latter part of this question admits OF
an an easy and practical solution. While
it is true that We cannot prevent tho van
dictive and malignant oppression OF
radical Congress, yet we have the pow
CIR as citizens of Georgia, and should ex-
crcise the right, to command, instruct
and control those whom We elect and
constitute our agents and representa-
tivcs to carry on our county and State.
government. We certainly are not SO
completely bound hand and foot, as to
be unable to make tho least resistance,
while members Of our own household,
who do not wear blue coats and epauets,
are devouring and robbipg us. We
should say to such office seeking and
money loving gentry, ''lhus far shalt
thou go, and no farther" With such,
their motto is, ''the law and the profits
especially the profits" With them
patriotism is cut of the question. They
caro- not what becomes Of the country,
or the people, SO long as they can make
money. Tho true sentiment OF each Is,
''Of all my fathers family,
love myself the best; ,s.
So Providence provides. for mo, ..
The devil take the restP
No class has a right to subsist at the
expense of others; and those who do
not render, in some way a just equiva-
lent for what they receive from others,
are certainly morally guilty of extortion
and robbery, especially when they veto
to themselves unjust and unreason-
able wages. These are plain, sclf-eyi-
dent propositions, and should be practl-
caIIy applied. In some instances there
is much sin in submitting to wrong as
there is in doing wrong. Let us guard
with eternal vigilance what few rights
are left us and our children, and trust to
the great Dispenser of all blessings, for
the restoration of those which havo al
ready been wrestcd from us, for
"There is a divinity that shapes ends,
Rough hew them we may"
Let us encourage whatever tends to
promote education morality and religion;
and as we have abundantly experienced
that the declaration of holy writ is true
which says, "While the wicked rule the
people mourn" let Us hereafter elect our
purest and wisost mon to positions OF
trust, honor and profit, we ourselves be-
ing the judges and not them. Then,
and not till then, ,.aay wo expect the
focL to be cared for as well as the fleece.
Our county lcvies heavy contributions
to pay off the debts recklosply and OK
travagantly made in the past. Many
Of the principal tax payers have bought
up its bonds and orders at heavy dis
count-whon they are paid off we hope
for more economical administration OF
affairs. .rm
We suppose the convention intended
to mako certain class believe that they
were comforting great favor upon them
by fixing the poIl-tar at the nominal sum
of one dollar. Does this relieve that
class of their part of the burden Of un-
just and oppressive taXationY BY no
means, for the effect Is to make wages
lower and rents higher. Let none be de-
ceived then by the tricks of mean dem
agogues,-for all alike are being crushed
by tho wheel of oppression. | havo
thrown out these reflections without
much regard to system--I have spoken
as one of the people. Lot those con-
ccrned tako heed p. Ii. b.