The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-08-01
The Refusal to pny Taxes.

Wo publish in another column an
article from the Daily Nc,os G Courier.
The willy "bold soger boy" who writes
the leaders Of that journal don I crimi
nate himself, much, but he "outs with
it" any how. If troubles should com .
to the poor farmer whose all is hia
"homcstcad," then this immaculate
editor can say "thou canst noo say I
did it," But how man protesting to
have tho interest Of his adopted State
(for he is an Englishman) and her
reople at heart can write such an
article is strange TO us. Covertly he
says it will not bring war. It will not
cause blood shed. 1t will not bring
down upon them the strong arm Of the
Federal Government. Gen. Grant will
violate his oath, disregard the Constitu
tion aud break his party pledges just to
allow his mortal enemies to run riot
over this State. The article, and the
communication to which it is an ans
wer, mas satisfied our nii1d that W are
right in our convictions as to the
real intent aud purposes Of the Tax
Unions, which the Democracy are so
strongly cndcavoring to organize in
ovcry Township in each County through
out the State.
we quote from tho communication
referred to:
"Let us analyze this tax question and
the relief suggested by the proposal to
withhold their payment. We refuse to
pay our taxes as individuals, aud at
once the powers that be order levy
and sale, supported, if need be, by
posse comitatus. Hero come in the
colored militia, thoroughly organized
aud armed all through the State, swift
messengers to do the bidding Of those
in authority 1t is useless to talk o f
want OF nerve on the part Of our rulers
We have been taxed almost to death
within four years past with this song
ringing in our ears, "They will not
dare to do it," and yet, day by day,
they have CLEANED from fresh pastures,
and broken every prop that has protect.
ed the property of our citizens. They
dare all things here, backed by three
departments ola government, burning
in their zeal to handle the public funds
Wrapping the tattered constitution Of
tie State about them, and swearing at
every step to uphold the glorious old
flag, "Bugle Blast of a Robbcr Band"
they keep both hands in the treasury.
We are advised to resist payment Of the
taxes according to the Ncws and Com-
icr, and Senator Robertson, the attor.
merry general and the President. Surely
these be good advisers and we dread to
differ with them! We combine and
resist the posse. Surely not through
the courts, creatures Of the Governor
and Legislature. That would be farce
indeed. Then by force of arms Col.
lision with tho militia, and grant, for
argument cake, that we disperse them.
here go the wires at once demanding
aid from the President to suppress in.
surrection and rebellion against Law and
order. Mind you, this posse will be the
legally constituted authority of the
State When the militia Of State
can't carry out the laws, the constitu-
tion puts it upon the General Govern
ment, and under the law tho President
must interfere. This is about the theory
and practice since the war. Then
whore goes tho remedy? Is not my
statement according to the law and the
facts2 / have no theory in the matter.
IF I had, it would go the other way.
Surely if l am right, this is not the way
Of escape. 1 only make formal state
o,ent Of what lies heavily in the popular
mind. The Tax Unions move slowly. |
l am impressed that this is ono felt
The people, smarting still
L.. xL1 ,,o,,uln &c tbo IL. ,,,.. ..J |