Washington sentinel., 1855-02-11

In few days the fate of the French spolia,
ZION bill will be finally decided. Passed for the
second time By both Houses Of Congress, it is
now awaiting the sanction Of the President to
become a law. For more than fifty years the
claimants under this bill, have been urging
their claims before the federal government.
We are not OF those who believe that the veto
power is vested in the Executive merely as q
check upon hasty and indiscreet legislation, or
rs corrective OF constitutional abuses. Such
cases it is true pre-eminently call for the exer-
else OF this power If they were regarded as
the only cases justifying Executive interference,
there would be but little doubt as to the action
Of the President in reference to the spoliation
bill. II cannot, with any show of propriety, be
contended that the measure IS unconstitutional; !;
and the long series Of years during which it has
been the subject OF deliberation in Congress
and Of discussion through the country. is abun.
dant evidence that its final passage is not the
result Of haste or insufficient consideration.
But even on the higher groand that the
claim is Just in itself, we have az abiding con.
fdence that the President will sanction its
passage. The highest authorities recognized
by statesmen have been adduced in support Of
the measure. Contemporapeous expressions Of
opinion, the views and opinions of those who
we're living witnesses and participants in the
compromise with France, which resulted in the
release Of these spoliations, all sustain the
Justice Of these claims. The significant fact
that there has never been an unfavorable re-
port on the subject, and that in neither branch
Of Congress has there ever been vote adverse
TO the recognition of the claims, is additional
evidence OF their justice. These facts are
striking in themselves, and almost conclusive
20 a candid mind even without an inyestiga.
tioa Of the subject. But when, in addition, we
remember the history Of the event which gave
rise to the claims when we reflect that they
we're legitimate international demands upon
the French Government; that indemnity and
redress for spoliations committed by the French
on American citizens, we're actually recognized
as just and reasonable by the French Govern
ment itself; and that these demands we're only
waived by the United States in consideration
of those immense advantages arising from a
relnquishment Of the conditions OF the treaty
of 1873; when all these facts are taken into
consideration the conclusion is irresistible,
that common justice requires the recognition
and payment Of these claims. Indeed, they
assume a higher position than ordinary claims
against the government, where the harsh con-
structions oflaw are tempered by mercy, for they
rest securely upon legal grounds. The relin.
quishment Of these French spolistions is
equivalent to the Appropriation Of the property
of citizens TO public use, and in accordance
with every principle Of law and with the ex
press provisions Of the Constitution, restitution
Of this property IS emphaticaly demanded.
We repeat, that we feel assured that Mr..
Pierce will not hesitate thus to recognize the
Justice and sanction the payment ofthese claims,
so long and 20 uniustly. deferred