The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-02-20
(NNFISCATION.
Of Mr.. Wilson. OF lows

Speech Of Mr.. Wilson. OF Iowa,
In the House Of Representatives, Thurs
day, February 4th, 1884.
Mr.. WILSON. Mr.. Speaker, III closing
the discussion en- this joint resolution, IT Is
not my purpose to follow the general course
of argument in which gentlemen opposed
to it have indalged. The discussion has
taken wide range. embraced great va
riety Of topics, and treated Of almost every
question connected with the snbject Of con-
fiscation ex cept the one presented by the
resolution. This course having been adop-
ted by the other side Of the House, rem
dered il proper for the friends Of the policy
of confiscation 10 reply 10 the arguments
advanced in opposition thereto. This has
been done, successfully done and shall
not waste the time of the House by adding
anything to the lengthy discussion which
las taken place concerning questions not
presented bv the measure now before US
for our consideration.
That confiscation should be a part Oi our
public policy with regard To persons en-
gagged in this wicked rebellion was settled
by the Thirty Seventh Congress after most
careful consideration OF the subject and
elaborate discussion. Iha; policy Is now
embodied in the living law OF the land, and
is not before us for reconsideration and all
that has been said upon ii by the opponents
of this resolution has resulted in Il waste OF
time. Whether the policy established by
the confiscation act OF leG2 is wise or un-
wise. constitutional or unconstitutional,
unjust or merciful. creditable to the civili-
zation of the high noon OF the century, or
relapse into barbarisnl, are not questions
upon which VIC are now called TO pass judg-
ment. When some gentlemen opposed to
the policy established by that act can SO far
defy the loyal people OF this nation as to in
troduce a bill TO repeal ahe act, these Ques-
! lr,v - ~
they are demanding no attention at our
hands now. The measure before us ex-
cludes them all from the bounds OF legiti-
mate discussion. We are dealing with an
other question, as ] shall endeavo. to show
before conclude my remarks.
The main object with gentlemen Gu the
other side OF The IIonse has been 10 avoid
the question presented by the joint resolE-
| ton by talking about something else. TAX
| ing in their range almost every subject
! from i bloody handen traitor 10 an unborn
/ babe. The effort 10 avoiu the issue upon
| which we are TO pass has been studiously
and persistently pursued. But, sir, do
not intend TO let this system ot opposition
succeed because gentlemen have raised Il
cloud oi dust, composed OF particles Of al
mos, every foreign subject, under cover Of
| which 10 escape. The fact shall appear pat
| ent 10 the whole country that they stand
/ here obiectsIsg TO an application .: the pen
alties which the Constitution has provided
for the punishment OF traitors 10 the COY
ernment 10 those wicked men who have
! filled this whole land with sorrow an.
mourning. and dotted our broad dominion
with the graves of .iberty's martyrs. 4
pretended respect Tor the teachings OF our
advanced CIVILIZATION, al assumed reNer-
ehce for the great humanitarian principles
of the are, All arroga.ed love for the divine
attribute o. mercy cannot shield them from
that Just condemnation which Is due TO ali
Who stand between this Inperiied nation
and the just exercise q. its admitted pow
ers in the great trial TO which the old-iime
allies of the opposers OF this resolution have
| subjected il. | would not be harsh beyond
the jus. measure Of the hour; but my pa
tieuee has been xhausted by this prolonged
| effort 10 shield rebels from the inIilcton O
| the merited punishment which their un-
/ pareileled crimes invoke. aud wtllcn tn.
opposcrs OF this measure admit may be IN
| flicted without; breach Of our national Con
| stifutinu, which admission shall stand IL
proof against them before / conclude; and
sir, this admission shall perform the uddl-
tional office OF lodging against the Consntu.
/ ton every denunciation and blow which
has been aimed at the joint resolution
The other side Of the House shall stand a
the party assaulting the Constitution, no
this side. This shall be the attitude OF the
case or the gentlemen who sit over th'
way must admit that their denuciations 0
the joint resolution are void OF sincerity
and wholly without justification and
care no; which position they assume, fol
both are bad enough, and either is discom
future and defeat to them."
The positions assumed by the gentleman
from Ohio Mr.. Cox are substantially
those of every other member who has spo
ken in opposition to this joint resolution
His premises have been adopted by all th
L \ L. a. ,Ny hnt tAA Ekxv
are all sailing in the same leak y and dllap
idated boat. The treacherous craft was
constructed and launched by him, and hi
crew has headed her on the shoals sine
her first sailing. Rudder and compass sh
, has had none, and she belongs to the Con
federate navy.
The gentleman from Ohio told us that tn
Constitution of the United States does no
authorize the forfeiture Of real estate in fe
simple, that the words: mo attainder G
treason shall work corruption of blood, o
forfeiture except during the life fthe per
son attainted,'' absolutely prohibits th
forfeiture Of realty in fee simple, and base'
. his argument OH the limitation containe
in the words .except during the life of tn
e firmed as his belief. How sincerely he be
: lieves it, and how sincerely those believ
it who have since reiterated it, will en-
deavor 70 show as ! progress with my re
marks.
Iwould not do the gentleman injnstict
and that may not misstate his position,
quote from his speech as follows:
.It seems to have been adopted by TN
dominant party in this House that thi
; confiscation system shall, if possible, b
carried ou; in the South. They cannot q
: it and make i. effective under the COnstitu
. ton. They must do it over that instru
ment and in spite of its Limitations. Al
the forfeiture which they can obtain unde
the Constitution is simply the life estate {
e those who are convicted of treason; and, q
!! that life estate is no longer than the halte
with which u man is hung, the result
would not be worth the palms,"
Early in his speech the gentleman as
! sured us that this was his understandin
= of the Constitution; Doubtless he gave III
terance to the conviction which directe
= his Judgment at the moment; but the con
yiction gave way and his judgment stoo
!. !. reversed before he had progressed far wit
8 his remarks. In no other way can &C
e count for his subsequent attacks ON tn
:, joint resolution under consideration, un
, less should charge him with want OF sin
:. cerlty in stating his construction OF tn