Year: 1859

alter the Constitution whenever their interest re-
quires it and as neither distrust their honesty
their capacity for selfgovernment am not |
afraid to trust them in making such alterations in
their Constitution as they may think their interest
and their circumstances require.


am opposed to the present system of revenue, BE-
cause it discriminates unjusty, unequally and op.
pressively against large majority Of my constitu-
ents and very large majority of the people of the |
State, and in favor of small minority of my con-
stitueDts and Gerry saaU minority of the ptope Of
the State And am opposed to the present system
because further the determinations in the revenue
laws cannot be justified or defended upon the great
fundamental princp pies of justice and equality upon
which the government was framed, and without the |
observance Of which it cannot long exist.
am in tarOr of a general system of taxation dd |
raloren, because it is congenial to the spirit and
genius Of our institutions, in perfect harmony with
the principles of our government, and its justice,
practcability and expediency have been clearly H.
Illustrated and exempfed in the experience of mine
of the largest slaveholding States in the Union
| am opposed to the present revenue system BE- |
cause of the difficulty in framing and passing rev.
law under it, the heavy cost to the people of
passing it. and the unirersal Dissatisfaction with it
after it has passed
am in taror of general system of taxation ad
ratore because of the perfect and facility with
which our revenue laws may be framed and passed
under it. the slight expense to the people of passing
it. and the unirersaI satisfaction 1T would give to
the people, when they knew that every was pay
ing his just and equitable proportion of the taxes
necessary to support the government and pay the
| public debt


! Prompted by an earnest desire to discharge with
fidelity the duties devolving upon as a represen-
tatvc and entertaining the views and opinions which
have so frankly expressed the result of my ex-
perence in the Legislature, my investigation of the
roy Of O1rO NJ 9TH Nf0fo and
my reflections upon the subject, could have pur-
| sned no course in the Senate consistently with my
! views of proprety and duty, differing from that
! which adopted.


+ Having been nominated canvassed the county
thoroughly, discussed nd ralOrem taxation fully
was elected without opposition, and without learn
ing that there was man in the county of any par
ty who was opposed to ad ralorem taxation, or to
political equality in any oth;r respect.


| IT. however, the minds of any of my constituents
have undergone change upon this question, and
they are dissatisfied with my in the Senate,
because they think majority of the people of the
county are opposed to equality in taxation, to such
would say, that there is mode of deciding the
matter which will be entirely satisfactory to me,
and, think, ought to be to them, and that il, to
discuss it before the people Of the county, and let
them decide it and when it has been decided by
mGjority Of the people, let their representatives in
the Legislature vote in accordance with their Wishes
whether they coincide in opinion with their con-
sttuents not; and let the minority submit cheer
fully, like good citizens, to the will of the majority
My mind has undergone no change upon this qucs-
tion since discussed it before the people last
mcr. If my constituents have changed their opin-
ions upon the question of I'D raiorem taxation, l
wish to know it: and in order to ascertain whether
they have or not, | am ready and willing to discuss
! it with any gentleman, before the people of the
county, at any time they may desire it In all gov
ernments emanating from the people, established by
their authority, for Their protection and the promo
tion OF their prosperity and happiness it is the
privilege as well as the duty of the people to con-
suit for the common good" determine what is best
and instruct their representatives to reflect their
will in the legislation of the State: and it is the
duty of the representative to learn and at all times
to reflect the wi and obey the instructions of his
constituents.


Ad calorem taxation is an important question Of
State policy, in which all men of all parties in all
sections of the State, are deeply interested and,
therefore, it has at no time been made party issue
or test as between members of the same party
And if those who agree upon cardinal principles Of
government and party organization will consent to
tolerate difference of opinion upon this question,
as did party in this Congressional district upon
the thirty million biM and let it be understood that
the members of the Legislature are to reflect the
wishes of majority of the people whom they rep
resent there can be no cause of difficulty in the
ranks OF any party, ana no one can Justly complain,
whether nd r1lorem taxation he adopted or reject
ed. 1t may not be improper for to say, in con-
clusion, that regarding harmony in ranks as
indispensable to our success in 1861 shall studi-
ously avoid any controversy which would distract
and divide the democratic party unless / am forced
into it by those who may be disposed to make nd
ralarem taxation pretcxt for asailing me- but who
are in fact opposed to me for other reasons.


In view of the friendly relations which have here
tofore, and which hope may continue to subsist
! between us, | think it due to both you and my
! self that should state that it was with much re-
luctancc that addressed to you personally. my re:
ply to the article in the Standard signed Wake,
and that l should not have done So although
knew you were the author of it, if it had not been
intimated that Wake very particular friend
of mine. who wished to give me an opportunity Of
discussing ad raorem taxation over my own signature


Having answered your nerrogatories, given you
INV views and opinions, indicated the course which
think ought to be pursued upon the question Of
ad ralorem taxation, and made such explanations
as hope will be satisfactory to my constituents and
yourself of them,


l am, with much respect,


! Your friend and ob't serv't,


NJ. A. BLEDSOE.


It will be remembered that NJ A. Bledsoe, Esq.