The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-02-01
IIse COIIOn Thy.

Here IS a generous communication
from Gov. Gratz Brown of Missouri in
reference to this measure of vengeance
and extortion which was executed upon
the bleeding and impoverished South at
the close of the war. He is Liberal or
Reform Republican under whose lead the
disfranchised Missourians were conducted
out Of the Egypt of Radical bondage in
1870. We have almost dispaired Of repair
alton to the aggrieved people for this
injustice under the present malignant
Radical dynasty, but this message Of
Gov. Brown shows that there would be
reason for hope from the success Of a
combination of conservative elements of
which the Reform Republicans would
constitute part. He takes strong
ground for refunding the tax
To THE Hon. GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
l herewith submit to you for considers
ton communication from the Governor
OF tennessee, lHclosing resolution adOp-
ted by the General Assembly OF that state.
memOralizlng Congress TO refund to the
people OF the South aud West the COTTON
tax heretofore collected under the leoisla-
ton of the general government, with a re-
quest that they be laid before you to invite
corresponding action on the part OF
Missouri; also petition on the same behalf
signed by very large number of the most
influential merchants of st. Louis: also a
petition from the business men and plan-
tiers of the counties of New Madrid and
Cape Girardeau, uniting in the same request
In bringing this subject To your atten-
ton, beg leave to express a most cordial
concurrence ia the propriety OF such action
on the part OF the Congress of the United
States. This tax was levied upon exhausted
communities, in the most oppressive form
that taxation can be wrung from any peo-
pie, under doubtful constitutional author
ity, and i'll violation of all the lsages from
the foundation of the government up to
that time. 1t Is not necessary to call in
question the motive that prompted such an
eXactiOn just at the close of the war. when
passion SO long shaped the measures of the
government; but now that peace is restored
and the effort is being made to obliterate all
trace of dlscord and separation, iC is neces- /
sary that justice should resume its SWAY
over our national cOunSelS. In this in
stance, it viii be best administered by re-
pairing wrong that has demonstrated the
propriety ot its repeal, aud which, II per
mitted- 10 remain precedent. may work 4
still greater injury hereafter TO many Sec
tions of the country other than the cotton
States.
Without entering upon any argument in /
regard to the constitutiOnality of an act
upon which the United States Supreme
Court has been divided equally. and which !
il is believed that full bench would have
decided against it will be sufficient 10 say. /
that reasons of public policy alone should
condemn such an exercise of even the most
unquestioned power. IG was wrong to
cripple thus needless a great interest at the /
very time that foreign governments were
millions TO stimulate the protluc-
ton OF cotton elsewhere. Ii was unMise 10
add TO the general bankruptcy of large See
tons OF the country by. seizing in first /
hands so large "a part OF the only reliance |
presented for reyivirg the financial pros |
perity of the people thus PROSTATE and inn
poverished. Again. the great agricultural
staples of this country are not proper sub |
lects for distinct internal taxation; and it /
was clearrecOgnition OF this fact which led |
to the adoption of that article of the eoBSti- 1
tuition which declares that no direct tax |
shall be levied unless in proportion to the !
population of the respective states. When, /
however, this plain intent has not only been |
violated but direct tax lsa~ been exacted /
from the produce of one section while the /
balance OF the national agriculture Was left 4
the unfairneSs becomes so appa->
rent that reparation rests upon us not only /
As duty, but equally as an illustration of 4
our kindly recognition of restored relations K
Of those States which suffered from this in /
Justice
l recommend TO you, therefore, the adop-
ton of n memorial to Congress, together !
with instructions to our Senators and a re-
quest TO our Representatives, 10 cooperate |
N obtaining the passage of Law refund i
ng to those from whom it was collected the
amount of taxes levied on cotton under /
he amended internal revenue act.
J. GRAFT BROWN.