The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-05-15
Speech of Ex-Presideut johnson.

ffestueht johnson 10 tue people OF
Nashville, as reported by the Banner :
Fellow.citizens AT the request OF.
and In compliance with the wishes of
number who reside here. | appear
before you tonight for the purpose OF
discussing some questions that agitate
the public mind. and with determine
ton that have long since formed that
] would, whenever | could aud whcr-
ever | could, contribute anything that
would convey correct understanding
to the public mind respecting the ques-
tons or principles that involve their
interest.
Ii may be safely assumed. RS an
axiom in the government OF States, that
the greatest wrongs inflicted upon PEG.
pie are caused by unjust and arbitrary
legislation. or by the unrelenling de.
crees OF despoiic rulers, and that the
timely revocation of injurious aud
oppressive measures Is the greatest
good that can be conferred upon ma.
ton. The legislator and ruler who has
the wisdom aud magnanimity to reirace
his steps, when convinced Of error.
will SOONER or later DO rewarded with
the res ect and gratitude Of an intelli-
gent and patriotic people.
When we transfer our attention TO
the history of legislation, we ind hat
most Of the wrongs that people are
afflicted with grow out of improper
al bitrary anu unJus. legislation. Our
own history of them affords proof that
all our domestic troubles spring from
excessive legislation or violations OF
the organic law. When we for mo.
men: fix our attention upon the many
wrongs that are inflicted upon people
1t is all that is necessary for the public
mind TO be put in possession OF ,he fact
to make a remedy. Take our own
State, for instance. What is the cause
of most of our difficulties, Of our oppres.
sion, and Of bringing us to our presen,
condition in a pecuniary sense. as well
as in political affairs? We fin6 that
they grow out OF National or State leg
islatiOn. 1t is an old-time saying,
worthy OF repetition, that we must frs,
clean about our own doors, before we
commence the examination Of those of
others. Look at the present tax system,
which has been sadlled upon MS by our
own State Legislature. 1t is improper
excessive, and may DO almost said to
have sprung from unconstitutional leg
islati0n; If not unconstitutional. at least
oppressive in its character. Suppose
you take up your tax bill, your funding
bill, your assessment bill, and consider
them. and when you look about and
see the various collectors my inten-
ton ia not to cast reflection on them,
but the system,) you will find that 1t
all comes from your excessive legisla.
ton. and hence II Is important that the
people should begin to look into these
things and investigate for Themselves.
They have been deceived, perhaps not
Intentionally, in fixing this legislation
upon them. When we look at the i'm.
mense taxes with which we are borne
down, and OF which the people complain
go much, what is the reply when they
ask for relief? 1t Is, More taxes
When they ask who has done all this
they will tell you these measures must
be ignored, must not now be consider.
ed, and other questions brought before
the country, and these must be passed
by, IL scems--thoeo measurns of inli.
rection and deception, BY failing to
come up and meet these questions
They carried the people away from the
true moorings of government and true
consideration of principles.
When we look at orr taxes, when
MT thrnnnh N
ing is talked of but taxes, and how am
| to pay the taxes? When we look al
the Federal Government, there is taxes,
internal and importation. From the
time we make our entrance in the
world, all the way along through life,
to the time we pass into the grave, there
is nothing but taxes. There is taxes
upon our entrance, on our passage, and
and taxes when the last sad act is per-
formed aud the clods are rolled in
upon the coffin. We are taxed at every
step we make through life. When peo-
Pile look into these things, and ask II
there is no relief, what will they do?
am free to confess that the taxes should
be reduced, aud the peoples condition
be accommodated.
We hear great deal OF talk about
money, more currency, and all that. II
seems to me The present wants are the
reduction Of the peoples taxes, and
leaving some of the money paid for
taxes in their pockets, instead Of extort-
ing II out, these hard Zines. When you
talk about lower taxes, Of reducing the
onerous burdens of the country that
press upon the neck Of labor and toll,
il Is said, "Why are YOU going TO repu-
diate the State debit" Somebody gets
alarmed. and says again. "Why, You
are epudiationists," aud all that Just
the other day, fellow citizens, you will
remember that the interest Of the State
debt was suspended for five years, and
there was very little said then about
the reputation of the interest, Was II
paid? In what? You are told that If
you would como forward with coupons
upon your bonds, which have been due
for five years. will do what2 Pay
you? Mol What then? Why, l will
Issue bond upon the State payable
forty years after date. Yet these per-
sons hint and MISREPRESENTATION,
and say that you must no! say anything
about this funding business. We will
give you bond bearing interest, prin-
cipal TO be paid forty wears after date.
TO paw this debt to relieve the people,