, 1861-07-18


rights, and to abstain from any interference
in behalf Of the traitors who are striving 10
overthrow The Government and the Con
stitution that Washington and his COM
patriots established. America has really
nothing to fear from the suppressed NUT
terings that occasionally reach us in regard
to the validity Of the blockade. The
English people themselves have too deep
an interest in the maintenance Of the prin-
ciples On which it was ordered.
LET THE RERELs PAF THECOsTs-
1t Is rule Of law that the beaten party
to suit shall pay the costs-not only his
own costs, but those Of the other party.
A criminal is bound by the same general
rule in regard to costs, that itigants are
in civil actions. A horse thief or burglar,
upon conviction, is not only sent to the
penitcntiary, but his property, if he has
any, istakento pay the expense ofthe prose
cution and trial, and to reimburse the in
dividual who has sustained damage by
reason OF his criminal acts
The soundness Of this principle cannot
be controver1ed. 1tsjustice has commend
ed il to universal adoption in modern ju-
risprudence.
Why should not the same rule be ap-
piled to the secessionists who rebelled
against the Union and staked their case on
the wager ofbattle? They are criminals
and are guilty Of the crime of treason,
which is far worse than burglary or horse
stealing, as it embraces all other crimes,
murder included.
Why should not the rebels be made to
pay the expenses Of the war? They have
abundance Of property which can be
reached, both real and personal. Congress
has the Constitutional right to confscate
every dollar belonging to every traitor in
the South. The crime Of which they are
guilty, is of the most heinous character.
The traitor to his country torfeits his life
as well as his possessions. In this merci-
full age Governments hesitate before in
AictiDg the full measure Of the penalty at
taching to the crime Of treason. It is very
doubtful whether our Government will
hang more than few Of the ringIeaders,
such as JEFF. Davis, Floyd, Twiggga,
Toonabs, Wigfall, Beauregard, johnson,
Claib jackson and perso IS Of that discrip-
tion. But there are tens Of thousands
Of heads Of messes, demagogues Of neigh
borhoods and leaders Of counties and pre-
cincts, equally guilty, though not so con
spicuous from want Of opportunity or
ability. Every one Of these should be
madet to pay smart money to help indem.
Nifty the National Government for the
immense expense to which it will be put
in restoring obedience to the Constitution
and the laws.
As slavery is the cause Of the insurrec-
lion, and Shareholders are the chief actors
and fomenters Of tho rebellion, slaves
should be taxed to reimburse the Govern
ment. Let the axe he laid at the root ol
| the tree.
| 4 moderate tax could be levied On
slaves, the proceeds Of which would pay
| the interest on the debt incurred in sup.
! pressing the insurrcction; and we submit
| for consideration the following outline Of
substance Of 4 bill, which might be en-
| titled:
An Act to reimburse the expenses Incurred By
ths Federal Government in tuppEesstns the slave
! holders lnsurTcction.
sIc.1. Be It enacted, ETC.: That every person hels
elaye by tie laws OF customs OF any State, and
being over the xge Of twelve years, shall be entjec
be paid hy The tndi' idual o. corporation claiming
tonwn the services OF aid nezeon; and all pcrson
held to labor as Slaves under the age Of twelv,
dollars e pei annum u TSe ead taxes shall be- col
1ected BY the United States District Marshal= ant
their deputies and the proceeds less dye PEE cent
be retained for cost Of collection, Ehall be paid
to such treasureIs Is shall be designated by law
The said tax tball be lien oa all perssns held a.
slaves for tv enty years after the passage Of tais
therefor, at public vendue to whomsoever will pay
said tax and the costs accrulng for the shortest
period of service q ihe person 20 offered or hire
ed possession Of said person during said time, al
hee1pi1ation Of which he Or she ehall revert Il
the former posaessoT or claimant.
l SEC. 2. That any citizen claiming possession o.
persons as aforcsaid held az Slaves by the laws o.
customs Of any State who ehal make oath, aad
furnish other satisfactory proof before the Dis
Bile Witnesses, that he was loyal to the Union ane
oheolent to The Constitution and the laws ant
that be gaye aid and comfort to the Federal Gov
the continuance Of the secession rebellion. The
Court shall decree that the tax mentioned in th.
preceding eecticn Of this act, shall be remitted t
him, snd shall rot thereafter be assessed upoI
aEy Of the pert in bis possession, and claimed
by him to DO his slaves provided that the slaye
ef & izens wko haye been in rebellion against tn
| E1ited States ehau not be exempt from said ia:
~ thclr sale or transfer to citizen who rematns
loyal during said rebellion.
| uate Of It's passage.
The foregoing is the spirit and IN out
line Of law which We would reco1nmen'
to Congress for enactment. The slaves Q
those who remained loyal to the Unio'
during this struggle, should escape specia
taxation. The tax would be strictly con
stitutiona1, as it would be in the nature q
penalty against the traitors, and be assesse
and collected to repay the expense t
which they have subjected the Govern
ment in quelling the rebellion aud restc
| ring law and order,
| About three millions Of slaves would fal
under the provisions Of this act, and fftee
dollars head would be the average taxa
ton, making the gross sum Of forty mi
lions per aunum. This amount would pa
the interest on debt Of three hun DIRE
millions which may accrue from the re
bellion, and create a sinking fund for tn
liquidation Of the principal within twent
ycars.
The enactment Of such law would civ
unbounded satisfaction to loyal citizens i
the South as we'll as North. Only tn
guilty rebels and their Northern synp.
thizerz, would object And they are til
last persons to be consulted in the prem
ses. The whole matter resolves itselfint
this plain and simple question: Shall til
guilty or innocent be made to pay th
cost TO Government, of quelling the rebe
: lion: Shall the traitors foot the bill {
costs which they have created, or shall th
loyalists have to defray it2
g CoSGREssMAS MAr.-The Baltimore Ratrt
4 eays that Hon. Henry May, the Congressma
a from that city, before the election pledgs
himself TO his Constituents TO- vote for men al