The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-04-12
THE WATCHMAN
WEDNESDAY,, ARRIL. I2.
TIE PRoPOsED OON1A:NTION.

TIE PROPOSED oONrA;NTION.
o, last issue contained a notice, in
viting the taxpayers Of Sumter County
to assemble on Sales day in May next,
for the purpose 0fconsideriug the subjec.
of taxation-the enormous burdens now
| imposed on the people by the corrupt
| and ignorant State Government exist
ing; and for the purpose Of sending two
delegates to State Convention of ta1-
payers, proposed by the Charleston
Chamber of Commerce and Board of
Trade, apd to assemble at Columbia on
the second Tuesday of May next.
The tax payers of the State generally.
we believe, are responding to the call,
and the Convention will likely represent,
to very large extent, the property of
the State. 1t must, therefore, be an
important assemblage. And as it pro-
poses to deal with a vital question, as
we'll as difficult and complicated ques-
tiou, 1t should be composed of the cool
est and clearest heads of the State
It's acting, in our judgment, may be Of
coed or of harm, 20 the extent to which
discreet and competent counsels, or the
reverse, prevail. We therefore trust
that the delegates to this Convention
may be selected with care, and With the
view to the avoidance of extreme meas
ures or ihtemperate speeches.
The State is groaning under load
of taxation, paralizing aud dishearten-
ing, and the great honest heart of the
people is deeply stirred with indigna-
tion, and with parpose to throw it off.
They (the p.ople--the tax payers) have
stood still and seen the fruits of their
honest toll go to enrich class, with
some exeeptions) of ignorant, dishonest
and udpfnoipled men, whose whole
business has been so to manipulate the
negro masses as to secure position aud
Gil their pockets. They have Seer no
cessation of this unrighteous and iu-
tolerable business, but the rather, from
the plans laid by the last Legislature,
purpose to squeeze out the last drop.
And they feel that they can and will
stand still no longer. That to do so
would be unworthy their character and
their duty to prosterity. No wonder
their is 40 uprisiug-no wonder the
State is agitated from the mountains to
the seaboard-no wonder, even, from
the desperation of some, has come the
absolute declaration Of purpose to re-
fuse to pay the taxes. With many,
already there is veritable Inability,
and the neglect to pay, is purely from
this cause and an enforcement Of the
prospective tax would amount to little
less than con6scation, resulting from
the same cause.
But whilst all shis is 50. and the story
is not half told, we counsel prudence
and moderation as more available in
behalf Of relief than any definitely
assumed position of fhOs,ility or violence.
We must bear in mind that actual
organized resistance will ensure the
coming Of the power of the United
States to force obedience, even though
oar scsistive action be accompanied
with distinct disavowal Of hostile feel.
ing or action toward the National Gov
erDment
In our judgment this Convention
should confer with the existing State
authorities as far as practicable, and put
forth calm, deliberate, clear and forci-
bic protest against and statement Of the
terrible state Of affairs, existing in this
State, 6aaucially-takiog care to avoid
Incorporate speeches and all purely
political matters. 4 publication like
this to the world might have some moral
power abroad and give us some addition
al strength at home; aud We frankly
say that We see but little else the
Convention can do, prudeusly, or with
hope of good results.