The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-02
Southern Claims for War Damages "A
Wise Movement in Congress.

From the Herald
The resolution of Mr.. Delano, of Ohfo, which
was adopted by the House OF Representatives on
Tuesday last involves line of policy so essen
tial to the salvation of the Treasury from bank
ruptcy and the country from a ruinous financial
reyulson as to be entitled to the special com
TendatiOn of every loyal citizen through the
length and breadth of the land. We refer TO the
resolution instructng the Committee on Claims,
till otherwise ordered, to reject all claims refer
red TO them Tor examination from citizens of any
OF the States lately in rebellion growing out of
the destruction or appropriation Of or damage
TO property by the army or navy of the United
States while engaged in suppressing the Re-
bellion.
AS was remarked by Mr.. Delano, there is no
obligation on the part OF the Government to pay
tor the damages by the ravagPs of the late war.
Moreover, if it were agreed upon that loyal suf-
terers should be indemnified 1t would be impos-
sible to draw the line between them and Rebels.
On the question OF loyalty every Southern loser
OF property by the war could give some evidence
in his 1avor by er pdl5e affdavits.g Mr.. NiblacS,
Democrat, of Indiana of the Committee, was
under the impression that loyal citizens, as dis.
tinguished from Rebels III arms, ought to be
ndemnlhed; but, as the status Of the Southern
States was not yet settled, the Committee would
do well to ceter any action in the premises. Mr..
Ward, Republican, Of New York, however,
speaking for the Committee, hit the nail upon
Southern losses from the war, the condition OF
our finances, and the difficulty OF separating the
oyalist from the traitor, admOnished him not to
open the door that might double our national
debt, bring on financial ruin, and perhaps repu-
dation and national disgrace.
The Committee on Claims were accordingly
instructed by the House-ll8 to 36-to reject all
Southern claims for war damages till otherwise
ordered. The thirty-siX members voting IN the
negative were doubtless the Democrats of the
House, who, in this matter as in the District
Negro Suffrage bill, put the interests of the
country behind the tactics of their party. What
care they for the Administration, the national
treasury, financial collapse and reputation,
so that they continue to build up again their old
deiunct Democratic party? But we would still
admonish them that so long as they adhere to
this old game of their Democratic party, SO long
they will be kept under foot They must meet
the demands of the crisis, regardless of their old
party, or they Will never 90 any thing to wipe
out their record OF the war.
1t is morally certain that national bankruptcy,
Reputation, and financial and political chaos,
Will follow the experiment of compensating
even loyal Southern men for their losses from
the war. MIR. Senator Guthrie, of Kentucky,
Secretary OF the Treasury under poor Pierce,
and possessing good reputation as a fnancier
recently, in the Senate, put down the losses of
the South from the late Rebellion at the stu
pendous figure of ten thousand millions of dol
lars. This may seem incredible; but including
the Rebel expenses OF tue war in money, labor,
and supplies; the Southern crops of cotton,
sugar, rice, tobacco, etc., Of iour years, ne
elected, wasted, burned, or captured; the
white ablebodied men of the South killed and
crippled; the four millions OF Southern slaves
set tree; the plantations laid waste; the ships,
steamboats,, railways and rolling stock. cities,
towns, villages, houses, public buildings, facto-
ries, stores, boundaries cotton gins and presses,
mills depots, bridges, fences forests, timber
and lumber, etc, destroyed, and horses, mules,
cattle, sheep, and swine swept of, together with
the losses OF Southern banks, corporations, and
speculative investments depending on the sue.
cess OF JEFF. Davis, we dare say that Mr. Senator
Guthrie is not far out of the way. But whether
this aggregate of Southern war losses is ten
thousand or five thousand Millions we cannot
touch 1t without running the danger of being
swallowed IN al unfaJhomable abyss OF bank
ruptcy, corruption, confusion and ruin
Suppose we begin with the compensation of
another shl widening the margin of lberalitv,
until by the pressure Congress and the treasury,
the Government and the country will be over
whelmed national debt OF three thousand
millions is as heavy a burden as we can safely
carry. II must Le diminished before long, or
even this weight may stagger US. The House of
Representatives, therefore has acted wisely 'in
regard to these Southern losses from the war.
We cannot touch them without danger of
swamping. They belong to the schedule OF pro-
perty destroyed without insurance They must
be postponed TO a more convenient season, and
take their chances tor shower Of gold with
Kentucky, whom she will be paid for the one
hundred millions of negro property lost by
Secretary Stewards proclamation OF the abolition
OF slavery.
"A French lswyer has mHde bequest of
S20000 to thu luugtiC asylum of his town 81