The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-10-30
THE PEOPLE ASLEEP,


his duty. Every true Democrat who
realizes the situation and sees the dan
gers that threaten the rights and pros
perity OF free people under the Radi-
cal domination will be sure to register,
to vote, and if possible, to serve the
party of sound and economical gov
eminent in otherwise advancing its
cause No Democrat can afford to be
Indifferent and lukewarm this year.
No Democrat who opposes high and
grinding taxation can afford to be 81
lent and apathetic at time like the
present when the Radical party has
just largely increased the unconstitu-
tional, oppressive tariff Of 47.1o per
cent. upon more than 1000 articles.
We do not know precisely what the
average is under the new tariff tax for
Monopoly, but somewhere near S.
per cent. we judge.
High taxes are wrong because they
wiring from the poor good share of
their hard earned wages to give it to
the rich manufacturers. High taxes
grind and PROSTATE country. France
was literally ruined by high taxes and
the outcome was the awful and
stupendous revolution of the last GEN.
tury.
High taxes in republic are a mon-
strosity and show corruption, venality
and usurpation. A Republican Su-
preme Court yesars ago decided that a
tariff levied for any other purpose than
for reUenue olny was "robbery." "
That was the very word employed to
convey the outrage perpetrated.
The apathy of the people OF
North Carolina at this time i.
suicidal and unexcusable. If the vio-
lence and rascalities Of the last ses-
sion of the Congress cannot arouse the
people of the South to vigorous and
united action then they deserve all the
wrongs perpetrated against them and
free government by the Radical con-
spirators.
Apathy in State when the pocket
is at stake indicates very sad state oi
mental activity indeed. 1t has alwa Us
been held that the pocket nerve of the
people was the most sensitive and
most responsive to the touch. But
North Carolinians have grown SO cal
lous that they seem to he in love with
high taxes, forgetting that every dol
lar taken from the laborer in taxes is a
dollar gone farever from him and his
family. A dollar taken for taxes is a
dress for the wife or SO much bacon or
SO mnch flour for the sustenance of the
family.
Apathy in North Carolina is indeed
astounding. Apathy among free white
men when the very citadel Of liberty
itself is in danger. Apathy paralyz-
ing the mind and heart when the rob-
bers and usurpers are beating down
the doors and digging under the foun-
darion stones of the Temple itself in
which liberty is supposed to dwell
Apathy when the control of the Fed
eral House for two years literally
depends upon the hearty unity and
effort on the part of Democrats in thi:
State.
Why this apathy Who is responsible
for ii? Do the people desire Strong
Government, the oblitertion of State
lines, the wiping out of the autonomy
of sovereign Commonwealth, the con
tinuance Of the most villianous system
of taxation, the perpetuity of scheme
of robbery and oppression for Pluto
Gratis and Monopolists?
II the white men of the State are
enamored of Radicalism that once
ruined North Carlina and beggared it
that has fastened something quite like
despotism upon the legislature Of ths
country and at this very hour swears .
Force bill shall be passed for the South
then be sure to vote for the Radica
gang or remain at home and allow
them to triumph.
After the calamity of defeat come:
and the ruin is wrought, then sit down
in ashes and bewail when your feal
cometh, and scraping yourself with &
potsherd cry out for the mercy of tri
umphant Radicalism. 1t will laugh
then at your calamity and mock yor
in your sore distress.
| Men of North Carolina, awake tc
4 duty. Put on the armour of battl.
and go forth to strike down the enc
mics who are at your gates. Be no
faint hearted or weak. Remember
what is at stake. Recall the grea
victories already won, and fight nov
as you never fought before. STAND
for liberty and low taxes, for home
rule and honest government.-Wil
mington Messenger.