The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-01-25
Trumbull,s Confiscation Bill.


eliminated in the bill recently introduced
into the Senate by Mr. Trumbull to con-
fiscate the property of rebels. The bill is
incumbered with some complex machinery
in the proposed mode of its execution, but
in its main objects is simple enough. In
a word, it declares forfeited to the United
States forever, all the property real and
personal, Of every person who has borne
arms against the government, or given
laid and comfort to the enemy. Thus,
whenever the y. S. armies penetrate into
Virginia, Kentucky, South Carolina, or
any other State where there are rebels,
the real and personal property belonging
to rebels coming under their control, is to
highest bidder, all except the slaves, and
these are to be set free. No comprehen-
sive provision is made for their care, en-
ployment, or depor.ation-they are simply
turned loose.
The bill is typical of the mind of its
author 1t is unmerciful, brutal vindic-
tive, malignant 1t holds out no induce
ment to rebels TO return to their allegiance;
it offers no mercy nor forgiveness to those
who would repent Once a rebel always
a rebel is its motto, and when all the
armies of the South are subdued and the
country lies PROSTATE at our feet, then the
real work of crushing is only to begin.
Then will come the despoiling of the
rebels of their property, the beggary OF
| their famiiies-the day Of vengeance =
That such a bill can ever pass either house
of Congress we have no fear, or if passed,
that it would be approved by the Presi-
dent 1t deserves to be put on record,
however, as an evidence never to be blot
/ ted out of the malignant, devili SD spirit
! OF modern aboltionism.
| We add some comments on this bill
! from the Louisville Democrat
| As a matter of policy, this law has no
thing to commend it. Its operation would
| fill all humane minds with disgust at the
savage spectacle. The calamity would
| fall on the wife and helpless children, and
| reduce them to want and beggary for the
guilt of the husband and father. Ii il
were possible to Toe executed, it would
render one section of the Union u scene oil
suffering and desolatioE.
But how Is it to be executed, or why
1t can have no effect to put down the re
belion; for it cannot be executed in any
State until the rebellion Is put down. 1t
can only be a law retribution and
revenge 1t will stand on the statute
book mere brut,R. t,,ioseh, which will
exasperate these now in rebellion and
enlist sympathy for them by its savage
terms. Such a law never can an never
will be executed; but it will be held up to
the South to enlist all the energies OF DIES
pair.
Instead of any ;nducement TO come
back to the Union it woq Id cut off all
| inducements TO lay down their arms and
render independence a Necessity. They
could face no worse calamity out of the
! Union than in it.
1t may be said that the law can, at least
be executed where the forces of the gov
eminent have possession but IN such
localities what is the use Of lit? Not to pat
down rebellion, for in such Eases the rebel!
lion is poyerless
The very proposition of such a law is an
advertisement OF weakness and despera
ton, not of strength and confidence. 1t
is an empty threat that in the nature OF
things can be pat IN execltion$
Let the Union armies dffeat and over
| throw the rebels in aru1k. and proclaim
the restoration of the constitution and
| laws, and guarantee the protection OF all
/ constitutional and legal rights 10 the whole
people, no matter how, in the hour o'
madness, they may have falt, and talked
and acted.
Intolerance and yiuIicriy.uaSx meyer
saved a government, and will certainly
never save this one.
We have bad enough Of that self righ I
eousness which feels itself justified in ven
geance toward the sinners; aud 1t had
better stop now. before ii sows the seeds
of disafection where none is row.
Courage, magnauimity, and strict adhe
renee TO the constitution are the strength
and moral power OF the government
Measures dictated by passion and ia,
spirit of revenge only weaken It's infu
ence
No one need refer us to the example o.
these rebels. They confiscate property
they Danish their citizens they seize al
the property they need . and steal negroe:
amongst their other crimes. They employ
in war Indians and negroes. Such deed:
are to be stunned, spurned and despi>ed
jeff Davis t. Co would sell themselves L
Satan to accomplish their ambitious pur
poses. They have no constitution and nc
law but their own higher law of ambition
hate and revenge. Let them riot in their
own abpminatlon, and let Us whip then
armies. That will end them. Don miss
spend time and degrade yourselves passing
empty statutes that must be read the
world over with disgust and contempt