The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-06-23
Calling ~ Halt ON the Robbers of
the People.

the People.
The question of calling halt, and o
unanimous action on the part of the tax
payers, cutting off the supplies Of the tax
eaters, continues to engage public atten
ton. A writer in the Holly Springs
Gazette urges the measure warmly, anC
says:
| We have been deluded with false prom
Uses long enough; the time has come wheI
the taxpayers must rise in their maiest,
and say to the tax consumers, " We de
mand reform and we mean to have it, OF
by the spirit of eternal justice we viii
stop the wheels of government by refus
ing to pay taxes any further"
This may look like revolution, but not
sO-self- preservation is the first law OF
nature. When the non tax payers,
through the mere force of numbers, seize
the government and levy taxes that
amount to confscation, and then squan-
der the money in way that falls little,
if anything, short of downright stealing,
| there is nothing in civilization which de-
mands submission.
&C Resistance to tyrants is obedience to
God" Can there be a broader, holder,
more audacious and more unmistakable
tyranny than that which demands of the
| land-holder that he shall not only give
upshis profits, but little by little the land
itself, not to sustain government, but to
support a miserable Lazar0ni called office
holders, we must be done with this
In very kind terms, which, however,
imply little knowledge of the course of
The CLARION, the writer calls upon us
to join in the movement for g the rescue
of the taxpayers from those who despoil
them of their well-earned possessions"
We believe THE CLARION was one of the
first to move in the matter, and it has
not weared in well-doing, notwithstand-
ing it is not receiving the efficient CO.
operation of all who started out with it
upon this line.
We are gratifed to note that Judge
Watson editorially endorses the views of
his correspondent, saying:
The article on taxation, in another col
umn, should attract attention. The pre-
sent rates of taxation cannot be borne.
and relief from its burdens must be had.
or speedy irretrievatle ruin to property |
holders will ensue. Let no one pau one !
dime of the tares of 1876 before the election
an Nouember, and should not the government !
change hands, as the result of the election,
prOperty-hOLders should consult and agree
upon the line of policy to be pursued
They are being impoverished, whilst
office holders are growing rich at their
expense. The true doctrine on this sub
ect has just been announced by the SUI
preme Court of the United States, in the
case of " Loan Association rs. Topeka"
10th Wallace S. G.. r. 664.-Here it is
To lay with one hand the power of
he government on the property of the
citizen, and with the other bestow it upon
favored individuals to aid private enter
orises and build up private fortunes, is
none the less a robbery because 1t IS done
t1ader the forms of Laee and as called tara
iOn"
This is precisely the system which has
,een in force in this State for the past
i've years. The powers of the govern
nent are welded by the hands of igno-
ance and corruption to rob the people of
heir earnings, and not for the legitimate
imposes Of government. All its depart
rents are crowded with sinecursts who
re quartered on the public treasury for
gain, and not for public ser /,
ice. The Legislature at its last session.
scornful defiance of the prayers of the
Ix-payers, carried this system to a higher
Itch than ever before. That BODY, in
collation. of the constitution, even went
the extent of creating offices for its
gn members, as in the case of the an
ointment of overseers of the tax-collect- =
g. If the people fail (Which God for y
d. to elect Legislature in November
edged to reform these abuses, then thew 4
ust unitedly determine to pay no more >,
xes. Their property may be put up. h,
d sold, but there will be no BUYERS.
d no revenue for the blood-suckers.
refusal to pay taxes unjustly imposed
a prerogative of freemen and the high n
crown of honor. The name of John be
ampton has been immortalized for his tn
iusal to pay the few shillings of ship re
'ney levied in the name of the Crown dil
/ in defiance of right. tic
SEvrp Ar vouno. a vaow;aar, Il H.. - 81