Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-11-06
THE QUESTION OF coNFIscAT1oN.

| The rebel government is inexorably confs-
| eating all property of u nion men, and the con-
| sequence is that thousands are deferred from
! taking sides with the Union, in the border
States for fear of losing their property. This
places the Federal government in a position
! of great disadvantage that 1t can no longer be
| suffered with safety. Consequently the gov
| ernment is rapidly preparing for enforcing the
| Coufscating law passed by the last Congress.
| Attachments have been served against a lot of
| furniture belonging to a man named Shields,
who is captain IN the rebel army and who
owns a number OF houses and lots in WASH
ington. This is to be special case, and if
the law is sustained, the Government will at
once proceed to coufScate the property of
every known rebel as fast as it may come with
In the Jurisdiction of our arms. We do not
see, exactly, how this is done under the late
act of Congress, as that limits contiscation to
property used for war purposes, unless 1t is
construed that all the property of a rebel is
used for that purpose. That law is lame
affair, and unworthy of Congress, and the
country will require some vigorous amend
ments as soon as that body meets. We are
glad to see that the Government seems dis
posed to meet the wishes of the people in this
matter, and we trust that it will be promptly
seconded by Congress. The present act was
emasculated, after it was brought in, to please
Mr.. Crittenden, and other Kentucky members,
and now Kentucky is suffering under the eff
fects of the law. Mr.. Forney, in a letter to
the Press, on this subject, remarks
sit is not-let me say to the whining SYM
pathizers with Secession in Philadelphia and
New York-the Republicans who now demand
the contscation Of the property of all-who
ask that the heavy hand Of the Government
shall be laid upon their and our enemies.
These enemies, SO nfuriated against what
they call the ''Lincoln army" and the ssAbo-
lition mercenaTies," exhibit little humanity
when they come to treat their brothers, their
kindred in blood and in marriage. They de-
stroy the most costly and magnificent public
improvements, fire the dwellings and devas-
tate the cultivated fields of their own fellow
kentuckians and TennesSeeans, and avow
their determination to exercise the same bar
barism upon them which they have displayed
against the Northern soldiers.
Among the first acts of Congress at its forth
coming session will be the passage of such a
confiscaton law as will meet all the require
ments and eXigencies Of the times. Mean
while, the friends of the rebels in the loyal
States can do nothing better than to admonsh
Mr.. Davis and his Government that, for every
dollar confiscated by the latter, ten will be ex-
acted by the constituted Federal authorities.
OF course, expedients of all kinds will be re-
sorted to by these men to save themselves
from the operations OF such legislstion. Some
will probably assume the attitude OF ultra de-
yotion to the Union others will sell out and
attempt to secrete the proceeds, and it may be
that still others-although this class will be
small enough, in view of the gloomy condition
of the whole Southern countrv-may be in
duced to emigrate to Richmond, Charleston,
or New Orleans, and give practical effect to
their real emotions. But the Louisville
Democrat well observes, call Union men rob-
bed by this secret den at Richmond can be
paid out of the property of those who are now
making war upon the Union" The 1chole
system by achfch this glorious Government is be-
ing impaired and broken--the system of spies,re-
bravest Of our brothers and .triends-the system
of persecution Of good men on one side, and pro-
lection Of bad men upon The other-the system Of
reputation and of sarage parfare-must be an
nihiiated eren if martial latO is proclaimed orer
eUery foot Of our territory"