The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-08-19
Correspondence OF the New York Tribuns.
The CondscaiiOn Law.
WASHINGTON. July 2S. 1863.

WASHINGTON, July 2S, 1868.
One OF the first acts of next Congress, it is
thought, will be the amending of the present
confscstiOn law, so as to deprive armed Rebels
of their property perpetually. The present law
only cOnfscates property during the life OF the
disloyal person, after which the property goes
again to his or her heirs. The wording Of the
Constitution, on which the Coufscation Act of
Congress was based, reads thus:
" Congress shall have power to declare the
punishment of treason, but no attainder of trea-
son shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture,
except during the lifetime OF the person attain
ted"
The meaning Of this clause of the Constitution,
in the concurrent opinion of many eminent
jurists, has been misconstrued by Congress. and
the President. There is generally thorough
agreement now that the the words "but no at
tsnder of treason shall work corruption of blood
or forfeiture, except during the life of the per
son attained, refers not TO the length OF time
for which such forfeiture shall be made, but to
the time when such forfeiture shall be made
That the words mean that after the guilty parta
IS dead there shall be no procedure against him
or bis property, but that while still living his
property may be con6scsted by the State for ali
time to come
OLD ENGLISH C0SFlsCATIOS LAWS.
The laws of England, at the time of the adop
tion of the Federal Constitution, provided thai
the property of traitor could be confscated
evel after has death, and his blood corrupted
III and 10 ". III, OF Anne. but it is belle
we'd that the trainers of the Constitution meant
to modify the laws of England, and guarantee
that no procedure should be made against 8
man, aud no forfeiture of bis property should be
made or corruption OF blood wrought after ths
death Of the guilty party. By the statute "a o.
George III, passed some twenty years after the
adoption OF the Federal Constitution. the spirit
of the English law is much modified, but ever
nov a procedure can be commenced after the
death OF the party.
THE PROPERTY OF ARMED REBELs
The actual value of property in the Rebe
States is $4T0s, 252, ,215-exclusive of slave.
about three and one half bions-not including
Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky. Tennessee ol
Missouri, though there is enough property il
these States owned by Rebels actually engaged
in arms against US to Offset the property owned
by Uniouists in original seeded States If thii
property, or such Of il as belongs 10 LEADING
Rebels can be confscated forever 10 the United
States, and sold to pay the costs of the war. i
will 90 a great way toward hqudating the public
debt; but II il cannot be contscated for longe
time than the lives Of she present owners bu
little can be realized from il, and the enormous
debt will fail heartily the ,oealth and iadIstr,
Of the loyal people. BE who SAYS, "Spate th,
property Of a traitor" also says, but use il
place OF it the property OF nv Union neighbor :
just ss he Who says, DO not arm the freedman.
hands out at the sane breath the beloved chill,
OF MS bosom TO SIGHT in his place.
This question Of amendment viii be discusse,
IN toe early part Of the session Of the next Con
gress. and it Is not doubted that the result wi
be change in the Confscstion lav.
VI. D. L.