The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1911-11-01

ing power in the legislature. at
once the nearest to and freshest
from the people. Tell me when
and where did freedom exist when
the sword and the purse were Civ
en- up from the people?"
Chatham, Burk. Fox and Holland
warned the king that such usurp-
alton was fraught with the most
dangerous and fatal consequences;
for well they knew that whatever
the respect of an Anglo-Saxon for
Divine Rights. he would never sur
render his grip on the taxing power.
But, alackl Just when the doc
trines, crowns and thrones Of kings
were crumbling, there appeared a
curious sort Of star. or what might
be letter. a sort Of JACKIE lantern,
with tyrant smlrk and lowering
mien. in the great glowing West.
] Have you noticed the iash-light
group of Governors who recently
met in conference up East? Well,
the toughest looking specimen-by
the way, speaking OF specimens,
this one should never be buried
when it dies. but carefully stuffed
and sert 10 = museum-the tough
est looking speci7' en- in that little
reservation was IT-our own Wor-
~ri-f-l. Exalted. eudal Lord and
Sovereign. Augustus the First OF
Kentucky; and, right here want
TO interpose my allegiance, and say,
as a cringing, loyal vassal. bending
the supple hinges OF the knee. that
thrift may follow fawning." that
no ruler has ever been quite so
ramstoogeous and rantankerous,
since the days when Hercules clean
ed stables and pounded kings into
rat holes, in the profiigate abuse OF
the pardoning. military and taxing
powers-usurpations more fragrant
than that Of George the Third, be-
cause they are infinitely less justi-
fed in morals.
Yet, descended as we are from
the Revolution, how tamely, how
abjectly we have barred our necks
to the heel OF the tyrant, and in
conquered silence saw open viola
ton OF the very principle for which
Patrick Henry precipitated an aw-
full war-submitted without a grunt
or groan. Great Shades Of Liberty
and Revolution! Is this the apathy
that follows delirium or the craven
meekness OF avarice and luxury!
All! can this be Greece, but living
Greece no more?"
The spirit OF liberty had died in
Rome before the despot came.
While the people retain their
sound and healthful state" said
Monroe in his first inaugural, every
thing is safe. They will choose
competent and faithful representa-
tives in all departments. II is only
when the people themselves become
ignorant and corrupt that they are
no longer capable OF sovereignty.
THEN UsURPATIoN is EASY,
AND THE UsURPER is SOON
FOUND"
Yes. II would seem Augustus
knows the temper Of his decaying
subjects-knows that. while Free
dom may tread the sequeste1ed
glens OF old Scotland or couch in
the magnificent mountains of Swift
erland. here her banners trail. So
thrust your repaclous hand. tyrant
like, deep as you want. into the
pockets OF your vassal-he1l not
whimper. Lay on, McDuf. and
ID be he who dares cry: Hold.
Enough"
1t was from fear that. by loose
construction OF its provisions. Fed
eral authority could destroy our lib
critics with the abuse OF the mill
tary and taxing power, that George
Clintin and Patrick Henry so long
resisted the ratification of the Con-
stitution.
Now, let's see. We have a State
Supervising Board whose duty T. is 70
go over the lists of assessments and
justly EQUALIzE them, but no tax
payer ever dreamed OF vesting this
irresponsible Board with the dan
gerous power OF levying taIes-a
power which the English race would
never entrust to their kings. Yet
this Board. responsible and account
able to nobody, in whose appoint
ment the taxpayer had no choice
or voice. has arbitrarily, despoti-
cally raised the value OF taxable
property, over the sworn estimate
of the owner. County Assessor and
County Board, 61 millions % dol
lars in 1910 and 80 millions in
1911, total OF 81 millions OF dol
lars in two years.
The eYpedient of raising our