The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-07-20

The New York Tribune publishes the last letter
written BY Hou. J. K. GillaSs 1t is dated a; Man-
trcll the 2}i oE NAY. and addressed Hon. :. 3
WasAAurnr OF Illinois. He complains that Congress is
crruPting the morals OF the nation by egislating
private claims touths of which he thinks are ne
gsr legal just against tue people; and their
payment Is sheer robbug OF the treasury for the bene
fit of most Of whom base spectators.
Atttr describing claim IN favor Of paying which he
once reported, but alerward discovered iraudu-
le,, h. says Il have hope for tie people but to
the doctrines ana practices Of the founders of
tie Government, in regard private claims well
10 gen raj principles :" He ;ssa CONTINUES
Rnt my attention eslled 10 this subject partcu-
hrly by the Of the House of Representatives in
aver OF paving for certain cabins in Virginia de-
sIng1td bv troops. II the destruction
necessarily the men who DESTROYED them committed
crime tJ- which ;hey should be punished bat who
viii suppose that sucl crime could give the owners
OF the cabins claim upon the people?
Il the destruction were necessary to prevent the
rebels tr2ia using the PROPERTY, the ought 70
have applied the torch himself ami have waited
for eur uieers 70 Dc "a Ii he osnlttst to burn his
own buildings in such case he have preferred
70 have the rebels enjoy thcm for which he should be
hanged instead OF paid. But he na.y ask Congress
q pay him the value ~ he buildings, because the
rsbsl, were not permitted - cuiuy them. In the
Her AMI better dav. of the Republic such claim uoul
not have been listened to patiently. Many Of our
neepg have pNd out more money to carry on this
@a' oger AMI above taxes of every description than
iulvi3u Il by reason OF tAe war. The pecunIa-y loss
of those men greater than the losses of this
claimant. These have trie sds. EeighJors.
nephevS, ana sons n the service. many Of whom have
alEeaty de1 and tIc loss ct thos. who live s, perhaps,
AsnlgeI foil greater than this claimant. Shall
these who suffer death b. coIapens 3t.d Shall
tiIosa who lose tIcr tine, their praperty-sha the
orphans nierel such by this bs compensated
ior their loss No man ever Thought of asking il
NJ legislation of Congress could do it. Nor do we
comp lain. We meet these evils chceruly and pat
ret.ralr- Eut shall not If in liton trials
ai losses, Congress taxes the children AM orphans,
the fathers brothers. and widows Of deceased sol
diers conpcnsat. this Nrgniau the loss Of his
cabins ani past,ritv WI curse the memory Of those
who contribute their influence swell National
debt asi corrupt The morals of tie people by such
legislation.
am aware that men will say this Is sectional ar
gumaut. | reply, It Is essential doctrine of State
rights which every Nirginan has held to form the
c0mmcncemaut of the toyCrnncut: hut | use il in
tbs illustrative of the policy lai down bv
Hamilton, AMI adopted by Congress in 792. That
Government is bound by the laws usages of nations
cupeuSat It's citizens for losses BY the raYagrs of
war vet as senc compensation may be dictated by
humanity when the partg a. rtaf-rFf ttaTep: and
suc lJ-ses best known u te people of the State
which te in lyiiuals live il be proper refer
the subject II the several States 10 make such compen-
sation, taet' erpease they my deem proper
| quot from memory. but you will find thsso 10 be
nearly the wor Is of He milton. The proposition was
adopted the several States took the subject their
hands, and in no instance such a claim
taat have ALLUDED to allowed. lou vill lind the
true rule lad down IN the case Ct Frothingham
ported in the st Papers Vol. Claims; IN that cas-
tne buildings burned by troops, but compen-
satIon was refused upon the just, the cnly proper
ground that, tDsses ty The ayes bc
cosapatsGted But am the people Of the Free
States will justly Congress referring tlis case of
Virginia to tic Legislature Of that State 70 make
compensation az te'r o'-" crcase, as they NAY deem
proper.