New Orleans Republican., 1873-08-14
THE INDIVIDUAL CITIZEN.

The INDIVIDUAL CITIZEN.
AS great as our respect for the rights o.
the individual citizen who fulflls honestly
his obligations to society may be, we have
at least an equal respect for the govern
ment which has been selected by citizens
in their collective capacity for the protec.
ton OF both person and property. An
honest republican feeling teaches every
man to respect individual rights, and in.
dividual obligations TO government; and
whenever this feeling ceases TO predom.
mate in this country something in the
shape Of government less practicable,
liberal and comprehensive vii. be found
to protect property and such individuals
as are endowed with the rights Of citizen
ship. Although We do not anticipate any
change in our form Of government that
will strip the people of popular rights,
We are speaking, for the sake Of argument,
as if such a thing might happen in the
course of human events. And no matter
what form Of government is adopted; no
matter whether the people rank as citizens
or subjects, each individual will be ex-
pected to perform faithfully his obliga-
tons to the government As imperfect
as the people and government are in this
country We can not see out what both,
whe all things are considered. will COM
pare favorably with other countries, where
greater taxation and less freedom and
equality is enjoyed by the people en-
masse; where the press is not free to de-
nounce the government, no matter what
IFS follies, usurpations and abuses, and
where the people have no peaceful reme-
dies to redress their wrongs. The indi-
vidual citizen would cut sorry sight in
resisting such a government by empty
words, to say nothing Of conduct leading
to overt acts. 1t would hardly do for the
individual citizen OF subject Of such
country to undertake to determine what
taxation was in excess Of what is sufficient
TO pay the necessary expenses Of govern
ment That being question for the ma
ton, in its aggregate wisdom and law
making capacity, to determine, he would
be regarded as dangerous meddlef. who;
in the capacity OF an individual citizen,
should undertake to dictate in matters Of
this kind. A party, in moment Of revo-
luton, was bold enough to proclaim in
France that property was theft; and now
the people OF Louisiana are taught by the
individual citizen that taxation. beyond
what he has determined is necessary to
carry on government. is theft. And the
law for resisting taxation imposed by
State and municipal authority. is thus
laid down by the ''highe. law" Of the in
.lividUal citizen:
The obligation to pay an excessive tax is,
therefore, not siren gthened, because it is
imposed by officials duly elected. and
law in the preparation OF their exactions.
The city government. although elected BY
the people. in collecting an excessive tax
levied, might be resisted equally with the
Kellogg usurpation under the same circum-
stances. When it is considered that tax
of ONe-f0urth Of one per cent on State, and
three-fourths on city property would amply
defray all legitimate State and city ex-
penses, the right and even the duty of the
citizen to withstand the present outrageous
exactions. !s 800 paloaDle to require eluci-
lation.
Now. while we in common with all good
citizens desire to have an honest and
economical administration Of State and
city governments in order that taxation
may be reduced, We want also an honest
enforcement Of the laws as they exist; and
ia change is to be had we want it effected
n regular way By the law making power,
~ the representatives of the people. 1t is
we'll known that large number Of tax
payers have honestly met their obligations
% the State-have paid their taxes from
rear to year as they became due and it is,
therefore. but just that those who have
not done SO, either from an unfriendly
ceiling to those in power, or an indisposi-
ion to pay their honest debts, should be
made to do so. Let there be faithful |
collection Of taxes as they now stand. and |
his will enable the State to reduce them |
when the Legislature meets. The fact !
hat the taxes have not been collected to |
he extent OF several millions Of dollars is !
me of the chief causes for their present |
high rate. But the individual citizen |
gnores this fact entirely, and supports his
higher law" doctrine with the following
fling at all who oppose his
,asarism proclivities:
But TO the exercise Of this clearly de- |
,ned right of the citizen are opposed cor. |
upton and all the machinery it can bring |
o coerce him to submission. All the appll- |
noes of the iaw-an impure Judiciary,
attorneys, and brute force
III sharing. dividing and living upon the |
,lunder extorted from a wronged people,
re thus by direc: interest stimulated |
nto activity and arrayed against him. Su- !
,era dded to these, we have grasping ex-
cutive, sustained bv corrupt and unscru-
,ulous national administration.
"A wronged people" sounds we'll @ |
oming from the individual citizen who,
4 making poor defense. applies the term
0 batch Of delinquent taxpayers. Let
hese men fulfill their obligations to gov
and a reduction Of taxes may
ben be justly had.