The national Republican., 1861-11-27
HEALTH OF THR ARMY
For the National Republican
An Act OF Co mn sc alto n .

Self.prcs rvation Is said to be one Of the
fundamental laws of nature-it certainly lies
at the basis of our common instincts. The peo.
pie of these United States are now passing the
OF rdeal Of civil revolution, not of their own
election.
Ambi ious and designing men, for purely sslf,
ish purposes, have instituted a plot, first to dis
integrate, and then to overthrow the Govern
ment. These men war, not 80 much against its
peculiar form, as against its peculiar popular
ity. If they could destroy men rather than
Cover nment, they would gladly do 80; but If
the destruction Of men must necessarily involve
the ruin of Government, 80 let 1t be.
| 1t is no difficult task to establish the truth of
this assertion. Every event which marks the
malignant progress of this raid against popu-
lar liberty and good government, confirms the
asse veration, that the men Of the South harbor
no good will towards the men of the North
they confscate their property, treat with indig.
nifty their persons, and heap reproach on their
names.
Now, what is the first dictate Of selfprotec.
tonH Is it not an Act of General Con8sca
ton OF all property, personal and real, owned
by non resident rebelss The only criminal
tribunal in these times of insurrection, is the
Congress Of the United States; and the only
courts Of law, by which the expatriated can be
reached, are the halls Of National Legislation.
1t may be urged that Congress has already
acted. The law passed on the 9Th of Angus
last in its operations, is well known to be par.
tial and circumscribed 1t Is confined to prop
erty used in aiding, abetting, and promoting
insurrection. 1t reaches persons held to servic,
and labor, but such persons must be actively
engaged in military operations, either as bellig
erents or employees. The caption Of the &C
sufficiently explains It's character to conns
cate property used for insurrectionary pur
poses" This act does not go far enough
Enact law OF confscation, involving the pc
cuniary interests Of all persons holding prop
erty In the loyal States, who may hold fealt
to the so-ealled Confederation. Let 1t com
prise the forfeiture not only of real estate, bu
Of all personal effects, guarding we'll agains
illegal transfers and false trusts. Model afte
the legislation of our enemies, leaving no doc
ajar for fraud or evasion.
This city, for instance, Is filed with tn
property OF persons In arms against the Gen
J eral Government, or holding allegiance to tn
rebel powers. Many of the domicils OF thes
persons are tenanted by servants in their EN-
ploy Valuable household furniture has bee
|, taken by personal friends, and stored in thei
D respective residences. Personal effects, and |
may be slaves, are to be found unmolested.
t A searching sequestration act would reacl
a all this kind of property, and in some degre
reimburse the Government for the enormt u
pecnlations of Southern agents.
s Desperate maladies demand desperate RENE
dies Make the act, therefore, az effective a
practicable. Compel the men who own estate
within loyal boundaries to return to their pos
> sessions, or else forfeit them rreclaimably
\ Test their principles by their pockets.
By tho passage of such an act, you indee,
array formidable opposition but 1t is mill
r tary necessity to be worked out by a civil pro
b cess-the hI tlliOnis converted into the le
scripta. The responsibility must rest upon h
r legislative branch of the Government to carr,
into effect this act OF necessity. Fl. Is.