The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-03-30
THE CRISIS IN THE STATE.
TEE PEOPLE AND THE TAXES.
A Voice from Abbeville.
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.

TO TdE 6Dt1VIs 0E AAA r'A"~' : (
few days prior to the adjournment OF that
rowdy body, styled the South Carolina Legisla-
ture. Ioint resolution was passed authorizing
certain parties to collect, by first November
next, tax of one per cent, assessed value,
upon all the property Of the State. do not
propose to ask here why the necessity Of semi
annual collection of annual taxes, or the COL
lection of two years. taxes in a single twelve
month: nor do care to portray the effect OF
such legislation upon our impoverished people.
But do ask, in an sincerity and with terrible
earnestness, Wt1 the people pay this taS
Some of us cannot. Others can, If they Will.
But will man in the State consent willingly
to be thus robbed OF his property? Af. Edi-
tor. I contend that the taxpayers sheuld. .at
once make known their determination, and
resolve not to allow the collection Of that tax.
What then?
Will the Executive order his minions to levy
and sell &C., according to law Think you
there is man in the Radical party that would
20, or could hire deputy to 60, out OF sight OF
the courthouse for such purpose, If the peo-
pie resolved not to pay this tax
What then Would the Executive appeal
to the general government to enforce the
collection Then let those who bear the bur-
den appeal to the same authority for protec-
ton against robbery. Think you that the
United States Government would fall to listen
to an appeal from such men as the intelligent
people of South Carolina cculd send on to
washington in their behalf II Senator Rob
ertson is honest in his assumption Of the ONCE
of paciacator, could he withhold his influence
in behalf of those men whom he has been
reared to respect =? He knows as well as you
or l. and must feel as keenly, If he Is not lost to
the entire past, what disgrace taat piepad
collection hasbeen to the State, and he must
feel that they have moi just right to enforce the
collection of so burdensome tax. Then let
his influence be enlisted to protect US from
ruin. =.
Am charged, with lawlessness in advising
this resistance? deny it. 1t is simple self
protection. Those who claim to bepur legis-
lators are themselves lawless, and should
never again be allowed to assemble; for they
are a band OF rufians. who, under semblance of
law, are stealing from you-and from me. Can
we, uiH we longer endure it.? 49,.
know that the word Law has ever had, aad
stillhas, supernatural influence upon most
of Mr citizens, and particularly upon those
who have passed the meridian Of life, and
those who have made it their profession. But
do they yffnd that Law. which they 80 efalthfally
reverence, analogous or similar to any of the
enactments of the exciting powers that be !?
The law Of the land as they would construe 1T,
if properly administered, would send to the
gallows hosts Of those who now, annually legis-
tate for our control. Then, aws5 with that
puny sentimentality that woui !, under the
most malicious roguerg on the :art ofelegisla-
rors, counsel order and obedience to law. We
have no Law, nor will We ever have By patiently
hoping. against hope for settled condition Of
things, an the while scrupulously obeying the
sbshests Of those who are compelling Us "'to
make bricks without straw =. ;2',...
believe the taxpayers Of South Carolina,
in every county, should call a public meeting
to discuss this question; and appoint delegates
10 a convention Of taxpayers to beheld In Colum-
bia this spring or summer, who would so ven
tilate the subject as to prevent the charge Of
lawlessness from any quarter. The State can
not be lawless to ITSELF We, the taxpayers,
are the State. Therefore, &c. AeRIcoLA.
Abbeville, MarcAtH.,