Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-09-10

ION the ensuing day, motion made by Mr..
Griswold TO take up this motion for consideration,
was lost without debate-ycas 30, hayes 49,
1t is thus seen tina; the House refused to even con-
slider resolution declaring
j. That 1t was proper TO pay the claims now just
vetoed; and
2. That the claims against France had been re-
HoEIlced by the United States.
Not satisfied with ftiS decision of the House, the
claimants succeeded in persuadlng their congresson-
al friends to make another effort for them the 18th
-four days afterwards. On that day long debate
(which continued until the usual hour of ADJOURN
ment -efsued upon the declaratory resolution and
it was (after this long and able debate) defeated by
largely Increased majority The vote stood yeas 33,
nays 54-l6 additional members voting against the
claim, and two refusing TO for the resolution after
discussion, who had voted for II before discussion had
been had
Mr.. Editor, if these claims are to be paid, (after
such exposition, furnished by Mr.. Clayton HIM
self; for the more tire veto is discussed, the more
clearly does It's justice appear then let all property
ever destroyed by any public enemy Likewise be paid
for.
Public enemies, upon or land. including Indians
and pirates, have destroyed an amount of property
since July A. l776, worth sum at least equal to one-
half OF the amount of the debt of England. Should
the United States issue bonds in payment for such
losses, and thus a public debt of five hundred
millions of dollars Ard get this is rhIt The chgs
PROPOSE unless they are willing TO pay Tor property
destroyed by one enemy and not for that destroyed
bP another; they may choose the horn of the dilemma
which they like best.
The plea which the Intelligencer puts in this
ing, about private claims not being examined by the
President is unworthy Of that print.
The rule is to pay for any property belonging TO in
dlviduas taken for public by the United States.
Whether Congress pays too much or too little TO pc
titoners in such cases, he President may be justly
supposed unable i'm all cases TO inoulre
But when Congress proposes to add another ''cldsS
Of cases. to the list of applicants worthy of indemn
6cation against loss ii becomes the duty Ct the Presi
dent to decide whether he properly sanction the
iRnOration proposed.
Mr.. Polk has decided that he will not sanction the
class to which the French claims belong.
The question is, therefore, distinctly put TO the In
telgencer, whether it point TO any law enacted
under any administration for payment out OF the trea-
sury of spoliations upon American property which
were commiitedby any nation whatsoever
If negative is given, then iohy should
those persons who have been despoled by France be
Unidentified, when uniformly refuse TO indemnify,
from national funds, those citizens WHO have
been despoiled by any other nation To have sane
toned the law, would have been to have sanctioned
gross departure from the uniform usages of the ma
ton, and TO have committed very partial and njus-
table act, unless he would have consented TO create
national debt half large that of Great Britain,
with the bonds creative Of which to pay every other
individual who has been plundered of bis property by
other nations VETO.
Washington, Aug. 81, 1916