Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-07-28
For Governor
CuAsE,s FINANCIAL TROUBLES

FINANCIAL
We have already called attention to the
financial scheme of CHASE, in which he re-
commended, with his usual Christian charity
the confscation of "rebel property" by way
Of liqnidating the enormous war debt WITH
which the present corrupt and venal admins
tration of LINCOLN is saddling the toiling
millions Of the North. Uhas been strenuously
advocated as a "msrvellOus propeF'' measure
bv the rabid journals that represent the
PHILIPS and LovEJoY wing Of the abolition
party. To our surprise, however, the Ne"
York Herald capriciously opposes the whole
plan as both unjust and unconstitutional"
alleging that rcongress has no more right to
eonfseate the property of a traltor than Of the
most loyal ~eitizsn.'
The constitution of the federal government,
it is true, expressly provides that while
congress shall have power to declare tne
punishment Of treason, ono attainder of treason
shall work corruption Of blood, or for
f~eiture, except during the life Of the per-
son attainted.D The same instrument declares
that no ez post faelo law shall be passed."
which would forbid tie passage Of new laws by
congress for the purpose of Furnishing supposed
ofenses already committed. Tn matter is
made still stronger by the guaranty that "no
person shall be deprived Of property without
due process of law: nor shall private property
be taken for public use without just comPensa-
tion.'' We have the authority of Justice STORY,
furthermore, for the assertion, that the con-
~stitution has abolished the corruption Of blood
and general forfeiture"
The animus of the Herald in opposing this
atrocious measure, however, is not attributable
we think, to the mere fact of its injustice or
its unconstitutionality, for were it a
stickIer for strict conformity to either
Justice or the constitution, is editorial
artillery would long since have been brought
with crushing effect upon every executive act
Of Mr.. LINCOLN that has been performed by
hin since bis installation into office.
The true key to the motive Of this venal
sheet is found in the fact Of having wisely
discerned the dangers Of that despotism with
which the North is threatened by repeated and
uDius 'ifable infractions Of the constitution.
The liberties Of the opprsssoT, it is seen at
once, can be undermined By the same formida-
bic and interruptions means that are impo-
teBtly used with the view of vanqu!shing the
oppressed. This is evident from the nervous
style of the Herald, as exhibited in the follow
ing paragraph "If the President in q tine
of emergency" quoths that journal, twas com
PEELED to resort to some uHconstitutiona meas
ures in order to save the very existence of the
government, there is DO necessity for the de-
Hberate violation Of the constitution now or
hereafter. Such an emergency can never hap
pen again, ard the exceptional acts Of Mr..
LINCOLN cannot be made preeedents for imi-
tation hereafter. In suppressing instruction
and anarchy, and restoring the authority Of
tie constitution and the laws, We must teks
cure aud not run into Tie other srtrsme Of des-
P5t'sm."
Should appeals Of this character have no
effect upon the powers that be at Washington,
the northern people are in a fair way of being
shortly overssken with the fate of ACTION,
who is said to have been devoured by bis own
dogs.
The course Of the Herald in his matter will
weaken the credit Of the LINCOLN government
to a very considerable extent. The people
have been willing to furnish "foOd for powder"
just 50 long as there was a prospect Of making
the South pay as the Neg York Times has
promised, "every single dollar" Of the debt to
be incurred by the prosecution Of the war.
But Yankee cupidity will never so far spurn
the love Of filthy lucre as to even contemplate
for a moment responding to CHAsE's large de-
mand for the sineWs, when the certainty Of its
coming from their own pockets is every day
becoming more manifest. The HeraId's on
sIaught upon this financial scheme, aecompa-
Lied with the healthy influence of the lesson
taught by the manassas r~aces,'' will at least
inspire Wall street with a slight indisposition
to make permanent investments in LTNcoLN's
promissory paper.