The Semi-weekly Shreveport news. [volume] (Shreveport [La.]) 1862-1864, 1862-06-06
G}s semi WIeealg 9ea''s.
Published Oh Tuesday anu FrlOay'
Crittenden's Speech.

from the speech "SA' SA~ -.
Hon. Mr.. Crittenden, on the Enancl-
,,tion and Contiscation Bill. IN the
Federal House of Representatives
April 18th, 1852: |
Mr.. Chairman, l have but little
more to say, and but little time to
saw it in. Other measures are pro
posed. You propose the conttiscat'on
Of all OF the property of rebels the,r
aiders and abettors. Let me ask |
gentlemen to consider tor q moment
What is the extent of this rebelllon !
What is the number Of people to be
included in this prescription! the
rebels, their aiders and abettors II,
ron States Of the Union, who would
HAT include Who should be colt
sidered by legal interpretations as
aiders and abettors? All who have
Maid taxes! All who have made
contributions to support the rebel
ion2 All who have taken up arms,
or all who have given aid or comfort
"a those who have taken up arms IN
support of the rebellion How many
would that leave? Too many, l
fear, Mr.. Chairman, have voluntarily
zen part i'll the rebellion; many
through fear; many not knowing
What else to do. Here is a plain
man. not versed in public affairs,
knowing that his State took a par
ticular direction, finding the Seces-
sionist usurping the State under the
forms of law, and prescribing his
duty. He is incapable OF arguing
these questions with the leaders OF
the rebellion. Shall he be included.
You take the principal and his aiders
and abettors. You include all; you
include ten States. The exceptions
will be very few. if you consider who
are the principals and who the alders
and abetters Of this rebellion.
Here are these ten states, and by
your law of confiscatioa You pre-
scribe man, woman and child. AZ
INV honorable friend from Massachu
setts Air. Tholnasl said yesterday
YOU take no notice Of any discrl1nln
alton in the guilt Of those parties
He who tempts and he who has beer
tempted stand upon an equal iootin"
Your Justice does not stop; You
vengeance, at least, does not stop, t.
to make a discrimination. \ pro
miscuous, p universal decree gocs
forward, and all are Impoverished
and all are stripped Of every paruci'
~ property. What measure II Is
There is nothing human in it but 1t
presumption. Who ever heard OF
decree before that should strip all o
the comforts OF life, which SHOULD
strip all of the means ct Subsistence
which Should strip of clothing and O
bread. FIVE millions Of people, IN
bill o., one section? Did ever huma
presumption and human crime us
higher than that! Gentlemen vi
not 60 it, upon reflection. / nea
. 10 reproach when speak sue
things. I address NY argument t
the measure Gentlemen must hay
different views Of ii altogether tlol
what / have; they have not locke
at it in the light l have, OF lit is III
possible that the measure should II
main one moment before the Hous
The whole history OF mankind dot
not furnish anything like it.
Such degree of prescription W.
never before issued by any huml
authority. Noplaguc, no r"stilenc
which ever descended upon ,nankin
has ever wrought such mischief ;
this would. But this is our wisdom
this is our moderation this is tt
wisdom and moderation with whic
we invite back to the Union o,
elring, our guilty brethren, who HAY
been engaged in rebellion again
the best government on earth, "
are trying to get them back and v