The weekly standard., 1870-08-03

Now, Mr.. Editor, suppose have a right
to claim to be radical "of the straitest
sect" simon-pure ultraist of the first wa
ter; at least this is my reputation, and one
who has been so frequently cursed by the
Sentinel may certainly claim this without
denial by the opposition. l had hitherto
supposed myself TO be the only public man
in the State who had ever openly advocated
(perhaps the only one who sincerely be-
lieved it) the abolition of the poll tax
Having long been convinced both of the
bad feeling and unrighteousness of taxing
souls, was in favor ofrefusing place to any.
such provision in the Constitution of 1868,
and used my utmost eXertions to prevent 1t.
My attention had been peculiarly directed
to the unjust and dangerous character OF
this system of taxation by the terribly op-
pressive and burdcnsome taxes which were
levied upon the polls by the Legislatures of
1865 .'66 evidently and avowedly done for
the purpose of casting upon the recently
emancipated, and then unrepresented blacks,
all that was possible of the burden of the
government which refused them every right,
and was efficient only in their oppression.
Accompanying this tax was the equally
infamous provision the same Legislature
by which the employer was made account
able and responsible for the poll-tax of his
employees.
BY this means the most gigantic scheme
for robbing the poorest of the poor, in order
that the rich might fatten upon the spoils
of their poverty, was organized, and Tor
three wears carried into successful operation.
The doctrine that ''from him that hath not
shall be taken away even that which he
hath" was most beautifully exemplified.
From an estimate made at that time from
the best data l could obtain, arrived at the
conclusion that the average poll and road
tax of the ordinary farm hand amounted to
about the value OF one months labor, or one
tueItth of his time. This estimate was at
that time admitted by our bittercst oppo-
nents to be fair one, and they only
grounded their opposition to it upon the cry
of "asrarianism" and the assurance that IN
the future it should be lightened.
Fully impressed with the Importance OF
remedying this great evil, l openly advoca-
ted the entire abolition of this system OF tax
alton during the campaign for the Conven-
ton in 1867 and was elected upon that plat
form. The Convention refused to discard
this system of taxation, and to its lasting
disgrace, continued this relic of monarchical
tyranny in the State.
They did. however, make great advance
upon all previous legislation upon the sub,
iect, by providing an unmistakdbie limit
to the extent of the injustice. They Sc
reduced the burden as to leave only the
obnoxious principle as ground for lu
ture complaint. By this act alone-if b.
no other-the Republican party has en-
titled itself to the lasting support ant
gratitude OF every poor man in the State
While it perpetuated the poll tax it tool
away almost entirely the oppressio on thereby
10y limiting its possible amount to two do
lars. was much surprised to find this SON
in the columns of the Sentinel, and but 70
its contemporaneous matter, and the old LAY
about the devil quoting Scripture, l Nigh
have supposed that this journal and tn
partv it represents, were waking up to til
TACT that "the world does move"
The history of this song is little peci
liar. also. 1t appears as original matter
the Stntinel-" Words By Prof. Henry Cats
&c, but it is really pilfered, and from
odd source, too. considering it from its pre-
ent status as a Conservative campaign SON.
1t was aCludtly plepdiOu ny 1Oui Soit>NP|
dent while canvassing as Republican Ca
didate for the Convention of 1868. 1t vi
first published in the Anti-Slaoery Standar
of which, as you are aware, sir, had lor
been regular correspondent under the non
de plume of ' Weuckar." my maternal nam
The Sentinel probably filched It's copy fro
the Standard, as it was there published WI
the remark that it was "sung at mass NEE
ings and other gatherings" Irecollect beii
mortified at the expression when came
see it in print, as l thought it very aw
ward one. Being approved by the org
of the party of "brains and culture" !"
suppose Iimay now regard the phrase as e
- 1she song as not without mer
3u H.. imagine that knowledge OF tho
facts did not lessen my surprise at seeing
in the Sentinel / little dreamed that wou
ever fall so low as to write campaign son
for the craw-fish party which has been
long irving to back up against the stre'
of progress We cannot tell to what b;
uses we may come
Is it not rather steep, however, for {
opponents TO steal Republican campai
song from the columns of the Anti-SLaC
Standard, written by one SO terribly
noxious to the party of "brains and cultur
as myself. rebaptize the bantling and adj
it as its own progeny, and recommend 1t
mass meetings and other gatherings
think it is "goak." "WEUcKAR.