The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-04-14
Dirac+ Tax nm the Southern States.

Under this head the New Orleans Times OF the oa,
publishes the following well considered article: :.
The House Committee of Congress has oeen NJ
structed it seems to inquire into the eApeutenoy
revivine and enforcing direct tax on the southern
States The South has ceased to complain d. ~, a's "a
actions which the Government may MAKE Que Is nv
lonrcr seIf.goyerned IF she has representatives
they are powerless to modify or change t'e WIN Vi '
dominant party For the most part they are It's
lures and echo its opinions II they "oula spe'H ,o
tho copth on an occasion Ike this, who would listen
~ thon9 Since the war the South has become mere
cinher at Washington. She is the victim OF the pow
ers that be- Does the Government want more money =:
Viii fax the South and raise it, The South is meek,
she is Submissive she will not utter word IN OPPOSE
ton whatever her masters may command
The committee are instructed toinqnlre, not whether
it. is right to levy direct tax on the South, but
whether it is expedient. Expediency is simply to be
the rule of Judging 1t would not do for the com
mittce to inquire whether such proceeding would be
right The committee well aware, at the outset,
that it would be unconstitutional and consequently
wrong-not to be thought Of for moment. When
taxes are be raised by Governments they are to be
equally apportoned throug the States, not levied
on this the other section of the country On prn-
cipes of law and equity, the South ought not to De
burdened with taxes while the North is exempt from
the imposition Ten years ago would it ever have
entered into the heads of our Federal lawmakers to
levy direct tax on the South for the support OF the
Government, for the payment OF its debts: W.
need not answer this question. The most chmerlcal
dreamer would never have imagined such mon
strosity.
No! the committee are instructed to inquire INTO
the cxpedicncy of this proceeding. Would be sonho
policy? Is it likely that the Impoverished SOUTH at
ready ground to death by taxes, will be able TO pear
an increase of the burden? Can it stand up under 1t
Already drained Of her resources, and making des
pcrate struggle to live and catching at sraws Tor the
purpose is this favorable time for wrestling from her
the last half loaf she has in her possession? Some OF
the committee, aud perhaps the majority, may regard
it a wise course-a beautiful piece o. policy. credtable
to their character rs and statesmen. very ex
pcdicn!' they may cxc!am, land if the South VIII
not pay the tax because it cannot it must be forced
to do it. That is all"
1t would seem actually incredible, did not the recent
proceedings Of Congress certify the fact, that so ni
man, so insulting so unconstitutional, so barctnced /;
proposition as this should be entertained by sane niel
r blessing to be gentlemen in this nineteenth century
and that should be gravey submitted for the consid
Grafton of committee of ways and means, lntr'l5tec
with providing means to sustain the Government OF a
great nation. Really members of Congress must have
very little to do when they can occupy their time VIII
such pucrile and contemplate issues, and publish then
to the world among the results OF their assembled
| wisdom.