The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-08

ample and adequate to ehtille them 10 pensions the,
were injured IN that sevice But think above and be
yond all that, there an obligation resting upon us VIII a
demands that we shall continue these pensions until w,
can see IN gures precisely the way ia which the fund
mas been distributed; because, ii II were fund iaker
from what belonged 10 those caplos al certain period
time, and under provision of law that il was 10 const
tate fund out OF which The interest be paid L
these invaids them II have discussed ia any olhe
way, we have treated these individuals differently from
what was the actual agreement under the provision Of
law In either OF these views, think the BILL in this
respect should stand precisely il from the House
/ Mr. PEARCE. Mr.. President we have no knowledge
OF any waste Of this fund by the government nevei
heard OF It's being invested any funds which have been
iost II has been exhausted just as other funds have been
Mr. HAMLlN How exhausted,
| Mr.. fEAkCE. suppose the senator imagines that
The original law provided that only the interest of the
fund should be applied TO the payment OF the PEN
sons II that is what he means be is mistaken have
The law before me. II provides The moneys arising
'hereffomthat is Two per cent OF the salvage OF re-
captures, and OF the prizes for captu shall be held
and hereby is pledged by the government OF the United
States, as fund Tor the support and maintenance of the
WIDOWS and orphans OF such persons as may be slain,
and Tor the support and maintenance OF such persons
may be wounded and disabled on board OF the private
armed vessels OF the United States" &c.; that is the
whole fund was pledged. and moi merely the interest
have 70 doubt that the interest not sufficient TO pay
the pensions, but that they paid of the prnci.
pal Unquestonaby the fund could not have been ex
baused except in that way We know very we'll that
The navy pension fund was exhausted in that way,
and so was the prvaeer pension fund. Ii the gov
by The use OF II IN paying pensions which grant
ed under the law, II is one thing; but there is no
evidence and do not believe any evidence can be pro-
duced to show that there has been loss of the fund BY
bad investments wasting of il by any improper use
think II has been consumed by it's use-by the appca
ton OF II to the purposes for which il was pledged do
not mean to contest this matter at ALL leave il to the
OF the Senate 10 say whether proper that these
pensions should be paid out of the treasury or not but
wish It 10 be understood that the Committee Finance
have made this recommendation in pursuance OF their
recommend dinpt IN
existing laws
Mr.. HAMLIN | did not understand that The original
law provided that than the interest should be
pad but what stated this that the facts at the de.
parment would show that equal the interest
had been paid and that be true, want to know where
Mr. PEARCE. think the reverse will be shown by
reference 10 the documents.
Mr BAfARD Mr. President, if it can be established
that The government has moneys its hands belonging
The prvaeer pension fund which il ought justly to pay
have no doubt the amendment OF the Committee Fl
nance ought 10 be rejected. Whatever properly
responsible Tor TO that fund ought to be ds bu,ed for
the payment OF these pensions. cannot however bring
myself TO support the opinions the doctrines asserted
by my honorable friend from Mary land mr. PRATT] in
reference 10 the prvateer system do not mean to depy
that during our last war with Great Britain there were
gallant actions performed by prvateers but think the
general sentiment OF the country against it, and should
certainly be unwilling 10 place the prvaeers footing
with the regular forces OF the country as regards either
The honor character OF the nation or the luste which
was thrown upon that character by the deeds of
men.
Sir, The principle OF priva,eering is founded in public
plumber and private plumber Ii is false principle as ap
Piled TO commercial nation, such the United States
one Which bs s f fSRae
getabolished BY the insertion OF such provisions in
ties with other nations would peyen, in future wars
What is the pTncplewha is the object OF puvaieerng,
but TO lake out OF the hands of government the conduct
OF the war; and TO give TO individuals who choose 10 fit
out priyaleeIs for greedy gain the night
their fellow for private purposes and private plum
der aonel That is The only basis on which the system
Of priyateeung stands. think il you take the general
opinion OF educated men in reference to the policy oira-
lions who desire 10 ameoraie the horrors d war, you
will end that they will demand that The system of prlva-
teeTing should be altogether abandoned Most Certainly
in highly commercial nation, such tbe American ma.
ton is, it is practice which ought not 10 be
nenced If to regard interes, alone.
There is no gentleman here who does not know tina,
no war has ever yet occurred IL which privateerng has
been extensively carried on, where II has not ended IN
piracy. Sir, line of discrimination between the two 10
very slight The man who, under private Authority ron
the goes for the purpose OF plunderng,
for private benefit, the individual property OF individual
citizens OF the enemy, will hardly IN the result produce
more moral effect than the who goes out for the
purpose Of private punder without the authority OF the
government. My own convictions on this subject ae so
strong, and am strongly satisfied as TO the impro-
prely OF the system OF pTlyateering, connected with
any principle OF humanity. and oil the impolicy oil a
commercial nation like the United States, recognising
the right OF prvaeerng during the existence OF public
hostes, that shall vote for placing those who
have gone into the pnvaieering system upon the
footing with those who have enlisted in the regular
service.
Again, there is another objection 10 the system OF pri.
watering During the war; individuals, under the hope
OF gain fl out privateers, and they give exorbtant
amour, TO the seamen whom they thus engage they thus
prevent the regular navy from being furnished with
men, and cripple the government in the prosecution OF
public while that system obtains.
have recently think the papers OF to-day
that proposition has been presented TO the Parliament OF
Great Britain that Great Britain and France shall declare
prvateeng be piracy under the laws OF nations, and
that they shall hang any or officers caught
board Russian privaeer IN the event OF war with
Russia Sir, that is advancing the laws of nations in
rather a summary Manner believe without any pre-
vous treaty II certainly us changing them but is
change which consider desirable, and which sure
the policy OF this country, the laws OF humanity and
ersl morals require in reference TO future though
admit the change must be made by treaty or by the
common consent OF nations Every thing tending 10 DIS
countenance The system OF prvaieerlng viii always meet
my appreciation, and shall always endeavor TO sustain
any principle which will have that elect, cannot,
therefore, consent, matter how gallant may have been
the men who fought on board privaeers TO place them
navy engaged in The public service OF the country, and
performing that service with view TO the honor and
character OF the country cannot put The men IN your
navy in the same condition with those who were In the
employment OF private individuals, whose great object
private plumber from the citizens OF the public enc
tal florence in the modes OF carrying on war My
opposition to the principle OF prvaeerng IL strong,
and my conviction OF the mpolicy OF great commercial
nation recognising the principle In any mode is strong,
that cannot bring myself TO vote for any provision which
shall tend to sanction It,
Entertaining these views as to the whole system, be.
evlng that would be wise for this government, il
could by treaty BY the consent of nations, TO
abandon completely for all future time, am unwilling
recognise the propriety OF the system in past time