The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-08

take the amount sought to be appropria-
ted by this bill Sir, it is from the fund
raised from the honest, hard-working tax
payers all over this Commonwealth. Do
we have their sanction to make this most
liberal bequest? No, sir While would
commend the distress, the misfortunes
and the pinching necessities of our neigh
bors OF Franklin county to the good, the
generous and the charitable all over our
State, and indeed the whole country, do
not feel authorized to make the appropri-
alton this bill seeks out of the taxpayers
fund. Already our people everywhere
rest under heavy burdens. Let us watch
well what we do. 1t is safe maxim for
the legislator to observe, 'be just before
you are generous We are told, howey-
er, that this is not asked for as a matter
of right-not asked for as matter of in
demnity, but as mere gift to citizens
impoverished by the wantonness and cru
city OF the common enemy. l care not
what shape the device of ingenuity NAV
give the appropriation sought 1t is a
call, heavy call upon the treasury of the
Commonwealth to reimburse the citizen
for the misfortunes of war Commence
this once IN the manner sought, and where
will 1t end /? Make everybody whole on
account of suffering In this cruel war p
Sir, it cannot be done. Reimburse every-
body for the losses they have met? Sir,
the proposition Is preposterous. Besides,
sir. money losses are trifing compared
with the other long train of evils attend
ing civil war, or indeed any war. Our
friends OF Chambersburg have met with
losses, heavy losses, but their losses have
been pecuniary. They to-day lament but
the destruction of loved homes, desolated
streets and depressed business energies.
No parG of our great country has been free
from the caIamities of this war The pail
OF mourning and distress has rested over
the whole land. The precious jewel of
many a household has been loss. The
widowed and the orphaned are everywhere
around US. Cries and lamentations are
still heard, Rachel weeping for her chill
Gren, and will not be comforted' We
have only to look around this chamber to
see the crippled and the manned of the
war. Money! All the money you can
| appropriate from your Golfers cannot COM
| pensate for such mistortunes. Who can
fill the vacant chair at the fireplace p
Who can give father to the orphan Z
Who can restore to the mother ner dar-
ling boy who sleeps on some glorious bat
! tle-ield, sacrifice to his country? Who
can bring the cheer of former days to the
| broken households all over our beloved
State? Pay the debts of this warl Com
pensate for losses Your undertaking is
too great. Take the step in that direc-
ton you now propose, and the consequent
ces will, [ fear, be crushing to the inter
ests of our Commonwealth.
| "You must not forget, sir, that the
money you appropriate comes in part from
those who have suffered equally with our
neighbors of Chembersburg This meas
ure, sir, is wrong in principle and danger
Gus in precedent. What assurance have
We that demands of similar character
will not continually be made upon US from
the other border counties which have also
been at times traversed by the enemy
! The Senator from Adams dr. MeCon-
aughy in answer to my friend, the SEN
ator from Erie Mr.. Lowry, says no more
claims shall be made by Chambersburg.
| | do not doubt he believes what he says.
| He cannot, however, make binding con-
tracts for them. If it is intended that no
more claim is to be made, why not put IL
| in the bill. So nominate IL in the bond,'
and then you have contract for the fu-
ture. This would completely defeat all
| demands hereafter to be made. The re-
fusal to do so ex9ites my suspicious, and
[ warn Senators of the precedent they are
about to set. Why, sir, there were read
in our hearing to-day, with the knowledge
this bill was about to come before us for
consideration, three several petitions,
largely signed, asking compensation for
losses sustained by the citizens of Gettys-
burg. | an also informed that if this
bill passes, bill will be introduced here
next week to compensate the people of
Gettysburg for losses sustained by the MIS-
/ torieal battle there. Pass this bill, how
can you refuse the claim of Gettysburg 2
| There are around that devoted spot charEed
ruins, burnt barns ard desolated grain
fields as well as in Franklin county. I
warn Senators to beware of what they do
to-day, 1t they would be consistent here
after with the record they are about to
make. You are about to open a Pando-
ra's box. Evils innumerable will follow
IN the train of your record of to-day.
/" l cannot, sir, vote for Jhis
bill. [ could not do so and lay my hand
upon my heart and go back to my constit-
uents and tell them [ had done my duty.
l will vote against this bill because
believe it to be altogether wrong. I
will DOW and here make record which I
will carefully observe towards all other
bills of like character while I am in the
Senate. 1, sir, warn Senators that know
; similar bills from other border counties
are coming here if this one passes. Vnre