The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1862-05-16
senator Wright cn Confisca-
lion


Senator Wright, of Indiana, recently
made a most forciblc and convinciu.
speech in the Senate ia favor OF the con
fisca,ion ofrcbel property. We max,
the following extracts from the officia
report OF his speech in the Globe.
This proceeding is absolutely ncocssa
~. II will strike heavier blow arains
the rebellion than an army with banners
Now, when tho power Of this Govern
mcnt has been displayed upon land an,
sso, il proclains TO the deludcd MISSES {
sea, il proclams to the dolud masses
of the South that the only way in whicl
they can save themselves and their prop
erly, escape from anarchy aud bloodshe,
enjoy peace and prosperity, and one,
more live under benefcient, free Gov
ernmcnt. is to lay down the arms whcl
they have taken up for its distinctions
Ii they persist in their madness, then le
the vengeance Of outraged justice pursu,
them TO the death We have fcrhorn,
until forbearance has grown to be dishon
or. Treason has run riot in the land
II is time that lawlcssncss should cease
whether under pretended government
in the rcbcllious States, or in the more
insidious gusc of 'lrccdcm of Speech
which gloa,s over every obstacle that
can he brought forward to prevent or re
tord the restoration of the Union. II 1.
time that rnpine and murder should be
called by their right names, and punish.
cd as they deserve. would direct the
operations Of this law against the instipa.
tors of the rebellion, against the lcude 4
of its army-thosc who hold its cxccu
tive appointments, the members of tho
confederate conventions and legislatures
and all those who hive deceived and in.
furiated the Southern masses against thi.
governm mt.
They should be made to feel. in thci,
persons aud in their property, the disas.
tiers which tfilict these whom they have
led TO the brink of destruction. womb
! impovtrish them rs they have impoycr.
ishrd their own people. The Dayises
and Slidells, the YuIecs and Masons. the
BcOurs CARDS and Johustons, the Brcckcn.
ridges aud Benz mius, who have sought
the humiliation OF the Republic t6a,
nourlshcd, honorcd and protected them
spreading dcsolation throughout the
Southern States, aud who have bccn RI.
morssless in carrying out the prompt;np,
of their unholy ambition, cauuot expeet
from this Congress any other treatmen,
than that of rigid enforcement of Il Q
stcrnest penalties of justice. 1t is duty
that we owe to our country, that VIC owe
TO postelity, TO the peace and happiness
ofour citizens, and to the pcrpetuty OF
our institutions.
| would provide no way of escape fl,
those who, with reference TO n po,sibl,
hour of their country's pc il. bad bcer
educated for and supported in its Arm,
and Navy, and then, when that hour camc
went ovei to its enemies. We must mako
it understood that we educate md SIM.
port men for their country's service. no,
TO officer rebel armies.
Now, Sir, have no patience for lone
disquistions upon the power of Congress
10 pass an act Of coniiscation. IL is moi
denied that we have power to dcclase
war aud to suppress rebellion. Having
tho power to declare war aud suppress
rebellion, have we not also the power for
the vigorous and successful prosecution
OF these o6jectsl The greater powor
certainly includes the lesser one. Nv
depriving the rebels ofthcir means far
this rebellion, we ro grcnt
way towards securing its oxtinction.-
But away with these bubbles about the
constitutionality of this proposition or
that proposition.
Instead OF granting powers, and olso
ailordlng all the necessary means for
their execution, il would seem TO be tbc
belei OF those who SO frequently ndvance
the obJectlrn of unconstitutiora TINT
the Col st tuition has conferred powcrs ncv.
never intending that should b, exercised;
that II is so feltercd as to be incapable of
making struggle for the preservation of
The integrity OF the Government to which
u gave birth. | may say, Sir, outside Of
All questions of unconstitutionaliIy in
lhcse times of great peril to cur free in.
'tltutlons, when rccreant ard disloyal
;ltizens in large section of the country
,lse IN rebellion, sprrn tho Constitution,
leiy the laws, and resist the authority Of
he Government, there is one duy su-
'reme and absorbing, duty to which oy-
cry one is subordinOte-the duty of self
the safety of the Union
rom disruption, and of the Constitution
rom annihilation.
Everything opposed to the existence of
me Government must be made to yield,
,r be swept off with an iron hand. That
nc State may live, all minor considera-
ions must be nelected, all inferior inter
SITS must perish.
military commanders may, for want Of
It thnltc Instruction and as mere matters
II convenience, follow the maxims of the
ublic laws ofwur. But Government
bound by no such considerations where
Is own citizens are the other beligerent
'arty, unless il be in case Of blockade,
Which, as affecting the worlds ;ommerce
matter Of international law. 1t seems
rue, Sir, that we have fallen, more or
ess, INTO the error we would al avoid
Why should our armies restrict thnir seiz-
res OF rebel property TO that found in
eAAd Oi war
ordlng to the international code!
II this is for want of proof that proper
10 private hands belongs to rebels, tits 4
lght; but IT il is on the ground that we
re boundto observe the rules of interna-
onal warfare, and recognize only organ-
.ed bodies, IL is wrong.
we seem TO be under the delusion that
his is properly a war, instead of con-
est for the arrest and punishment of our
wn citizens, who have committed felo-
y, and every one Of whom is indiyidl al
responsible for the crimes of this re-
eillon, and might be adjudged to the
cath penalty under existing law; view
hich TRANSFORMS the measure now be.
're the Senate from an aspect of san
uinary cruelty to one OF unhea,d Of
emency-o measure providing for the
,lease OF the great body oil criminals