The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-05-12
The Capitation Tax.

The Cap1taC1On TAX.
We publish an article in another column,
taken from the Rockingham Register, on
the subject of the capitation tax. 1t was
written by gentleman who is identified
with neither of the factions of the Demo-
cratic party, and is much farther removed |
from the Republican party. He is Read |
iuster to the extent that he regards the tax
receivable coupon as in conflict with the
principles upon which our system of gov
eminent is founded, and believes that it
is due to the dignity of the State and the
integrity and manhood of the people and
the preservation of State autonomy, that it
should be repealed. He is Funder, so far
as the payment of honest debts is concerned,
although the term Funder by no means
represents that sentiment. He has never
had any identity OF sympathy with the Re-
publican party, and in all party contests has
uniformly opposed the candidates of that
organization. He discusses the question,
therefore, free from all partizan bias, and
as citizen of Virginia, recognizing her
financial, political and moral obligations. -
The article is worthy of perusal by all who
desire to read an impartial, logical, and,
as we regard it., exhaustive treatment OF the
question.
The difficulty in the minds of great
many people, in reference to this subject,
is, that they do not recognize the citizen
ship The Constitution recognizes. They draw
their arguments and conclusions from the
citizenship they think ought to be, and not
from what it is-from obligations which
they think ought to be imposed and not
from what really are imposed. We should
neither consider nor discuss the question in
any other light than that of the COnstitu-
ton and its plain me aiming. This method of
treating grave question is revolutionary
1t is educating the popular mind to disre-
gard or pervert fundamental law, and strike
at the base of our political existence, as
we'll as social and industrial order. And 80
long as this disposition is indulged-so long
as rights which the Constitution stipulates
for are denied or disregarded, so long will
there be turmoil, excitement and infiamed
passion, and an unsettled and unhealthy
condition OF public feeling. A great truth
in political economy cannot be arrested or
crushed at the bidding of partizan interests
1t may, for time, be suppressed and its
force restricted, but it will eventually as
sert and vindicate itself. The rights of Cit
izenshp cannot be Disseminated against
because of fortuitious and unavoidable
do 3,
ground work of our political Institutions
The citizenship of any class acknO wledged
and recognized, carries with it all the rights
which attach to citizenship, and any legisla-
tive device, arising from partizan or any
other necessity, which abridges these
rights, must in the very nature of our polit-
icaI system, be short-lived and work out
harm to those who propose and endeavor to
defend it. We cannot, as citizens of COM
mon country, escape from the demands OF
the Constitution of that country, and this
fact must, sooner or later. be recognized.
The mere shifting necessities of part les
the devisements for the perpetuation of
power in the hands of any faction or party,
which do not comport with and conform to
fundamental law, bat deny to the cti-
zen rights which the spirit and intent OF
the Constitution recognize, must of neces-
slty give way to healthier and safer basis
of policy and political action.
There are many men who act with what
Is known as the Funder wing of the Demo-
cratic party, who do not question the right
OF this position in the light of the Consti-
tuition, yet are lead in an opposite direction
because of the eXigences of parties. For
the reason that the Republicans and the Re-
adiusters contend that the restriction upon
the ballot should be removed, they assume
the contrary, not because it is right to do
SO, but because the antagonisms of factions
require it. TO our mind, this is peryer-
sion OF the privileges of citizenship an as
sault upon the equal rights of citizens, and
cannot be maintained in the forum of
conscience, however much the inspiration
OF the demagogue may mouth it. Were
the Bourbon or Funder faction to bravely
face the situation. and instead of policy
contemplating the degradation of a certain
class OF citizens, proclaim for Just and liberal
legislation, looking to the elevation and ad-
yancement of every condition of citizen
ship, it would very much simplify political
contests, and terminate more catholic and
humane sentiment throughout the State. 1t
would be nothing more than the Constitu-
ton and wise public policy require, and
nothing more than good citizenship ought to
concede. The results we have intimated
will come after while. but, in the meantime,
all the interests of the State may be harm
fully affected by the excitements and acer-
bites growing out of the discussion at is
sue, and contribute to infiame passion,
evoke preiudices, and disturb all the re la
tons of society.