The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-14

gin by reducing, only by part, internal
taxes, and by adding to the free list those
things coming from abroad, which did not
compete with things made in this country,
and the duty on which was therefore all
revenue. For himself, he proposed to be-
gin with both evils where he found them
excessive internal taxes and excessive
tariff taxation. In North Carolina there
was cause OF complaint against each;
but there was more complaint as TO the
methods Of internal taxation than there
was to the amount. Why should not the
excise tax be repealed or greatly modified?
The exigency which called it into existence
had long since passed away. II involved
the right of man to do what he pleased
with his own, within the bounds of the
law OF liberty. 1t involved the right OF
the farmer to sell the product OF his labor
to any purchaser who offered the best
price. II involved the right of the hus-
bandman TO utilize the fruit OF his orchard,
instead of leaving it TO rot on the ground.
Ii involved the still more momentous
| question whether the poor mans cabin
should be indeed his castle, protected by
the organic law, or whether IL might be
ransacked at any hourof the day or night
by petty official, dressed in little brief
authority" in search OF tribute for an
overlooking treasury. Thepeopleoi North
Carolina cared little or nothing about tax
on spirits and tobacco. They would pay
1t cheerfully, il they could be spared the
oppressive and vexatious methods Of ma
chinery OF its collection.
IL was not question, as was often 40
triumphantly stated, Of choice between
free whisky and free blankets, because the
duty on blankets was now practically pro-
hibited. and they could not be any cheaper
| II the excise on whisky was removed. lie
declared that the central theory Of the
tariff was iniquity, and that he was OPP
posed TO the whole thing out and out. lie
should not vote TO put anything on the
free list the tax on which was pure rev.
enue; he should strive earnestly 10 reduce
taxation on the necessaries Of life, and he
should discriminate in nothing except
| against luxuries and in favor OF the help
less and unprotected.
The resolution was laid aside, and the
Blair education bill was taken up and
constitutional argument made against il
by Mr.. Gray. Proceeding 10 criticise some
details of the bill, he pointed out the pro-
vision which requires copies OF school
books 10 be filed with the interior depart
mcnt.
Mr.. George stated that he had opposed
the insertion Of that provision, and Mr..
Blair stated that IL had been inserted on
the motion not OF friend but an enemy
OF the bill-the Senator from Kansas, Mr..
| Plumb.
Mr.. Gray said that II was sufficient for
his purpose that that provision was In the
bill which was proposed to be passed, and
which was advocated by the senators from
Mississippi and New Hampshire, Messrs.
George and Blair. What action, he asked,
should be taken by Congress when the
Secretary OF the Interior reported that the
history OF the United States, used in Ala
bama or Texas. described with the warmth
aud natural affection which the people Of
those States have for their kith and kin;
the great struggle through which they
had passed a quarter OF n century ago, aud
did not refuse a need OF praise which all
the world was willing 20 pay 90 brave men
| fighting for "a mistaken causc2 Would the
senator from New Hampshire sit quiet
and content, willing for the youth Of the
south 90 learn from that history the lesson
which II intended 10 teach2 Or. II one Of
those lately rcbellious States discarded
q book which ascribed the assassination Of
President Lincoln 10 30 called rebel leaders,
| iGs hc had seen II ascribed IN school book
In common use throughout the States Of
the north, would such State receive the
commentator of tho senator Of New
Hampshire? That was one Of those ques-
tons which could be thrown into Congress
by a report Of the Secretary OF the Interior,
and the waves Of sectional debate would
run high on just such questions II thisbill
became law.
Mr.. George said he had found Il 10 be n
safe rule OF conduct, all his life, never to
cross q bridge I'LL he came 10 Il, and not 10
trouble himself about difficulties which
had not arisen; whenever an improper
school book was attempted TO DO, iorcpJ
on the people OF Mississippi under this or
any other BILL Il would be time enough TO
meet that attempt.
After further debate the bill went over
~ unfinished business, and the Senate adj
iourncd until Monday.