The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-09

OF the senator from Delaware FIRST which !, propo.,,ion
also TO perfect The bill
70 amend the amendment by adding the words
by The senator from Wisconsinto strike ou, words and
| insert.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Certainly. il would b.
IN order TO amend the amendment
MT, WALKER Then. make that mo,ion-to strike
| out nifty two and insert thirty two" II will then
read interest up 10 the wear 1882"
/ The PRESIDING OFFICER The question then will
! be upon the amendment proposed 10 the amendment.
Mr., HALE do not want 10 say word about that
amendment. because am Indifferent about IT, hale 10
go against claim OF this sort but think the Senate
ought 10 debsatsn litle before they open this door II
you establish M n ths principle you virtually say to all The
these certificates, that if they will 10 Congress and
Proye--as suppose il will not be difficult prove,he
as you have paid these heirs Now, sir we have got q
pretty large sum in the treasury, and do not know that
II will not pc as good use as will be made of TO pay
it or. in this way Indeed, would rather spend the
money in this way than in making upon Spain to gel
the island OF Cuba. In my opinion il would be far bet
ter laid oul but yet think we had better pause little
that is 10 pledge Congress to such very wide field
OF legislation as this will open had hardly better be
red upon private bill.
But suggestion has been made by some other senators
that u should be passed IN the form OF general bill II
- quite certain when you once establish such principle
that it will go beyond the revolutionary war do not
remember, but my impression is that there notes
with which The government OF the United States paid the
officers and soldiers OF the last war; which were sold in
market al depreciation something twenty
cent and the principle which would compel you 10
make up the difference between these comma alton GER
thcaes and their actual value TO officers and soldiers of
the revolutionary war, il TO would make up TO
the officers and soldiers of 1912 the difference between
the value OF The treasury and what they actually
received The depreciation, 10 be sure, nothing
all like what II was on these commutaon certificates,
bat think am not mistaken that in the New England
States these notes down low eighty cents
dollar And do not know any difference in principle
between the two.
Now, sir, it may be very pleasing idea. and one that
is consolaory 10 the humanity OF senators individually,
TO think OF remuneraDg all the sacrifices that made
during the revolutionary war TO secure the liberty and in
dependence OF the country But sir, you cannot do it.
gfeat many OF The most severe and heaviest sacrifices
were not those that could be paid with money. Houses
burned families driven from the peace and quiet
OF home, and all The operations OF civilized society
in various sections OF the country entirely defeated and
broken up; and when you undertake to go down and
weigh, and gauge, and measure, and compensate the
perlls and sacrifices OF the day. you will find that
not be dons And when you have done what is proposed
stopped very far short Of compensating the most
nierorious acrifces that made by those who en-
du5ed privalions and ptrls Of that early contest n
9ut sir, am not going 10 oppose this bill am not
going even to vote against H. but | simply make these
suggestions that nay understand before do pass
it wha, door We are opening for applicants to come in
| this understanding, if the Sengte fit to pass the
bill, shall be one Of the last 70 complain
j The PRESIDING OFFICER The Chair is of opinion
thai The senator from Wisconsin propose bis amend
ment now, and that the question can be put first upon
that proposition before the question OF striking out is
taken, as moved by The senator from Delaware. The
question, therefore, is upon striking out 'fty ytwo'
and inserting "thiIty-two."
i MIR ADAMS. Ii seems to me that the proposition to
amend the bill, made by the senator from Delaware
stands in The light proposition made by one
who reported the BILL and is therefore the first in order
4 that that proposition should be put frs
4 However, that is matter that care but little about.
Il very ungracious task, Mr. President, for any
senator against proposition either 10 pay
olutlonary soldiers or their descendants can con-
lrp- IN pt he atm IN de in
The obligations resting upon the government 10 rel
erence these claims, IL is utterly impossible that
compensation should be made not to The soldiers OF the
revolution for they have passsed away long since, but TO
descendants for all the sacrifices made by their faith
and do think have witnessed upon this floor great
injustice TO the memory OF revolutionary soldiers and
their descendants for services which have become
mon properiy-ssvices which rendered by them ior
the benefit OF their poserty and their county, and not
paid for in money-servces Tor which they would have
Il spurned money offered 10 them compensation Those
services have been brought up here long after they have
been called heirias, account half century
by their children. and grand children, and great grand
children and asked TO pay Tor them in money They
fought for liberties which now enjoy they achieved
the independence OF the country; they have received
The counirys gratitude and most OF them were content
with all their losses and privaons, and thought them
selves well paid. But now it seems that every one who
back his parenage to revolutionary soldier
is gong and hunting up some claim or other for
i the purpose OF getting the money which hs an
cestor would perhaps have spulned, for services to
his country IL is utterly impossible that we can make
these payments Besides, the government has paid these
debts once and paid them with interest. not denied
Did not the government act In good iah IN doing wha
il did II any of those mertoous persons lost anything
for want Of ability the part OF The government to pay
its debts at that ime it their misfortune. They
never complained OF IL in their day. St am perfectly
willing pay for all the losses they have sustained but
to 20 paying the interest for threequarers Of century
is setting precedent which will result in the expenditure
OF immense OF money, and uncertain payment owing
to the great length OF time that has elapsed and uncertain
proof OF the amount sustained by individuals 1t is ad
mt,ed that those who able held on TO their certit
Gates and received their money with interest Oiber'
lost-some more, some less IL was their misfortune
They sustained it during their lifetime, and ] do TOO
think is any injustice their children TO consider the
loss common property, merged in the great mass o.
tse benefits conferred upon the country resulting from
their services can principle OF justice equity
in paying interest upon this gra.uty, either down 't
1859 or 1882.
The question being taken on the amendment to srik,
out fifty two" and insert thry-two" resulted on
division--ayes II, noes o. No quorum voting,
Nlr. BRODHEAD called for the yeas and nays. which
were ordered
Mr WALKER. As the bill now reads il gives in
terest down 10 1884, II s proposed TO strike out " fifty
two" and insert thirty two" that being the period a
which the government became enabled TO pay its debts
think the government ought not TO pay ineres
for so long period.
MI CHASE My objection to striking out what this
amendment proposes TO strike out, Is simply ths II TIN,
debt due to these parties, il ought to be paid, and
paid with full interest II it is not debt due to them
and the county not under obligation to pay H. ough
TO be paid at all That is reason Tor not striking
out the twenty years.
Another reason is this. While upon this sub
jec hDk we had better dispose Of IL altogether. Fo
lust certain divide the interest the parties