The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-01
MI. stevens on confiscatiou.

|
Hon. Thaddeus Stevens has written let
ter in yindication of his proposed policy of
confscation, proof-slip Of, winch, from the
Gettysburg Pa.,) Star and Sentinel, address
ed to Hon. E. Mcpherson, Clerk of the
House of Representatives. its editor, has
been received in Washington, as follows:
LANCASTER, Pa, Nav 20, 1S67.-Dear Sir:
Short as your letter is, l fear cannot answer
it without violating an injunction of my
medical adviser not to suffer myself to be-
come excited. You live in a region which
was two or three times invaded by the ar
mics of Jefferson Davis. In the counties of
Bedford, Fulton, Franklin, Cumberland,
Adams and York they visited almost every
farmer and other inhabitants, and plundered
them OF their horses, cattle, provisions, wag-
ons and money when found, besides some
detached cases. They laid in the ashes one
thriving village of 5000 people, and turned
| the inhabitants houseless into the streets to
seek shelter in fence corners. No provision
has ever been made, or is making, to reim-
burse the plundered citizens. By the law of
nations, government makes no compensa-
ton for damages done by an invading az
my, unless such government is victorious,
when it always provides by treaty for the
payment by the vanquished enemy. A gov
eminent which neglects to make such pro-
visions on behalf of its plundered citizens is
basely negligent OF its duty.
A quasi peace exists between the belliger-
ents, the terms of which are dictated by
Congress, which is under the control of the
Republican party. Nothing but. the pro-
ceeds of the contiscation of a small portion
of the property of wealthy rebels can be ap-
piled to pay the damages inflicted by these
marauders, unless it be paid out of the treas
ury of the Uuited States. A few republican
meteors always cratic in their course, are
fitting through and exploding in the repub-
lican atmosphere. They attract sufficient at
tentiOn to enable them TO assure the amiable
rebels who inflicted this injury that they
need fear no confiscation-that nobody of
any note in the North is in favor of imposing
such punishment for the sake of remunera-
ton or justice. They assure them that moth
ing shall be taken from Aiken's estate of
millions-from Hampton, Davis, Orr, Faulk-
ner, or from thousand others, who are still
worth their hundreds OF thousands, to REIN
burse the loyal men North and South who
were plundered of their estates and to aid
your poor neighbors to rebuild their humble
tenemepts.
II Is scarcely to De endured that congress
tor two sessions should sit indifferent to these
sutferngs, and take no steps to enforce these
rights.
These remarks apply to a large portion of
Maryland, of West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana
and Missouri, as we'll as to the slave States
He who can patiently listen to that putrid
humanity which we now see propagated,
has more command of himself than l have
| Indeed, it looks as if we were still to add to
the burden of our taxation to defray the ex-
penses of transportation and the ovation of
triumphant traitors. But must stop, or l
shall commit the fault against which 1 have
been warned. With great respect,
Your obedient servant.
THADDEUS STEVENS.