Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-06


any sueh measure. but recommends that Congress
SHALL BY law, take, (alias seize, al oil the COTTON
and tobacco in the Confederaey (RoteRS, poe'Sl ana
pay for the same in. such currency, OF oonns, as
Congress alone shall decide, and without the least
regard 10 the wishes OF remOnstrahces or those who
own the cOtton an6 TOBACCO. The same Reasoning
which juStihes his proposition would authorize tue
seizure of the slaves of the South basis for the
support of the public credit, and their sale, at q
future day TO the planters OF Cuoa, &c, OF the
seizure of all the specie held by the State Banks
and by private individuals basis Of public credit,
with the understanding that 'Just compensation"
for said slaves said specie, shall be made in Con
tederste bonds or currency greatly appreciated
Those who framed our Constitution could hardly
have contemplated proposition 20 Srseping a
seizure Of private property so ,choeSa as that sug
gested by Mr.. NJ, osensbly for the support OF the
public credit. III Congress could SteT seizlng the
cotton and tobacco, make payment for the same IA
currency entirely acceptable and OF recognized CdHe,
the injustice of Mr.. Ms proposition would not be
so apparent aud fragrant, but unfortunately, Con-
gress offer no far SQuiudtent no gust compen-
sation" 10 specie, or a convertible currency In
consequence of the magnitude OF the puDhe
debt-the expansion OF the currency, ana our
recent reverses at the South, the Con:eder-
ate currency and bonds have greatly depre-
ciated during the last six months. The immense
addition 20 our public debt, resulting from the
adoption OF Mr.. MsrshalPs proposition, would
end materially 10 depreSs still more the market
crate Government. AS a means OF sustaining the
public essdit the proposition would be OF no avail
since the cotton and tobacco could not be exported
during the war, aud the additional debt incident to
their purchase would bear interest during the whole
time. law compelling individuals to sell their
cotton and tobacco to the Goyerument in exchange
for its promises to pay in fixture, would shock the
moral sense of the Confederacy, cause discomfort,
and impair confidence in the justice and wisdom OF
Congress.
This Objectionable proposition has been introduced
by mOnber from Kentucky, whose constituents
cannot suffer by its adoption Ehey have no cotton,
aad they hud no difficulty in sending their tobacco
to market through Northern channels. The plant
ers OF Virginia are differently situated. A large
quantity OF tobacco is now owned by the planters,
and a much larger quantity is held by the dealers
in this staple The Government has no more right
10 compel them to sell their tobacco than TO sell their
specie or their spoons their pianos or their plows
Throughout this war, the agricultural class OF VIZ
GINA aud the South has, without complaint, borne
its full share of burdens incident to the great con-
test in whiah we are engaged. This class has never
asked or received any favor nor does II now desire
anv favor But the agricultural class will not 81
lently submit 10 august legislation, even II disguised
under the shallow preteYt that it is necessary for
the support Of the public credit. a YIRelNIAN.