The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-01-31
THE COTTON TAX,

We publish below, and commend 10
tho attention of our readers, message
from Governor ]. Gratz Brown, to the
Legislature of Missouri. The reader Will
nerccivc that he takes strong ground in
invor of refunding the tax to the OPP
pressed people of the South from whom
it was so unjustly eXtorted. He, We be-
lieve, is the first of Southern Governors
to take the position in an official capac-
ity. We trust that the example will be
followed by the Governor of Georgia ana
other States, from whose people this un,
lust eNaction was taken :-CHrOn1cie q
Sentinel.
$40 the Honorable General Assembly {:
I herewith submit to you for consldera-
ton communication from the Cover
nor of Tennessee, inclosng q resolution
adopted by the General Assembly or that
State, memOrialiZing Congress to reiund
to the people of the South and west the
cotton tax heretofore collected under the
legislation of the General Government,
with request they he laid before, you 10
invite corresponding action on the part
of Missouri; also a petition on the same
behalf signed by very large number or
the most influential merchants of st.
Louis: also q petition from the business
men and planters Of the counties OF New
Madrid and Cape Girardean, uniting III
the same request.
In bringing this subject to your atten-
ton, | beg leave to express a most cor
dial Concurrence in 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 OPP
e., IL, to<- at;
from any people, under doubtful cor
stitutional authority, and in violation OF
all the usagcs from the foundation Of the
Government MP to that time. 1t is not
necessary to call in question the motive
that prompted such an acton just at inc
close of the war, when passion so long
shaped the measures OF the government;
but, now that peace is restored ana cllor.
is being made to oblitcrate all trace OF
discord and separation, 1t is necessary
that Justice should resume ITS sway over
our national counsels. In this instance,
it will be best administered by repairing
q wrong that has demonstrated the pro-
prjety of its repeal, and which, if per-
mitted to remain as q precedent, may
work still greater injury hereafter TO
many sections Of the country other than
the cotton States.
Without entering upon any argument
tn regard to the consttutionality OF an
act upon which the United States Su-
preme Court has been divided equally,
and which it is believed that full bench
would have decided against, it will be
sufficient to say, that reasons OF pubic
policy alone should condemn such an
exercise of even the most unquestioned
power. 1t was wrong to cripple thus
needless a great interest at the very time
that foreign governments were eNpend-
ing millions to stimulate the production
of cotton elsewhere. 1t was unwise to
add to the general bankruptcy OF large
sections of the country by seizing in first
hands so Urge part of the only reliance
presented for reviving the financial pros.
perity Of the people thus prostrate anu
impoverished. Again, the great agricul-
tural staples of this country are not prop
er subjects for distinct internal taxation;
and it was a clear recognition of this
fact which led to the adoption of that
article Of the Constitution 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 has been eXacted from
the produce of one section while the
national agriculture WAS left untaXed,
the unfairness becomes so apparent that
reparaton rests upon us not only rs
duty, but equally rs an illustration of
our kindly recognition Of restored rela-
tons Of tho@c States which suffered from
this injustice.
1 recommend to you, therefore, the
adoption of a memorial to Congress, to-
,ether with instructions to our Senators,
and request to our Representatives., to
cooperate in obtaining The passage ola
law refundng to those from whom it was
the amount of taxes levied on
cotton under the amended internal rev.
.nue act. j. CEATI Brown.