The Philadelphia Ledger is out in favor of a tax on
slaves. It is curious, as the Ledger
says, “that while northern capital, invested chiefly in manufactures and
general business, was to be heavily taxed, that a large portion of the southern
capital, which is invested in negroes, seems to be passed over. Northern manufacturers will pay three per
cent.; why should not an equal amount be levied on negro property? Let the average value of a slave be fixed,
and let him be taxed, as long as he is a chattel, like other chattels. The determination of the South to hold on to
slavery, the great change which has taken place of late years in this respect,
is due to the increased value of slaves depending upon the value of the cotton
crop. Any measure which tends to lower
the value of the salve property, facilitates the gradual extinction of
slavery. It is difficult to see what
claims to exemption can be urged in favor of this species of property.”
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye,
Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 1
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