Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-06-14
Thad. Stevens on Confscation.

Hon. Thaddeus Stevens has re-
Gently written the following letter to
Hon. Edward Mcpherson, clerk OF
the United States House of Repre-
sentatives, in vindication OF his pro-
posed policy of confscation. The
letter is directed to Mr.. Mcpherson,
at his home, Gettysburg where ne
is editor of the State and Herald
newspaper:
LANCASTER, Penn,
Tuesday, May %, 5
DEAR SIR Short as your letter
is, | fear [ cannot answer it without
violating an injunction of my medical
adviser, not to become excited. You
live in a region which was two or
three times invaded by the armies of
Jefferson Davis. In the counties OF
Bedford, Fulton, Franklin, Cumber-
land, Adams and York they visited
almost every farmer and other In
habitants and plundered them of their
horses, cattle, provisions, wagons and
money, when found, besides some de-
tached cases. They laid in 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 now making, to re-
imburse the plundered citizens. BY
the law of nations a Government
makes no compensation for damages
done by an invading army unless such
Government be victorious, when ii
always provides by treaty for the
payment by the vanquished enemy
A Government, which neglects to
make such provision on behalf of its
plundered citizens is basely negligent
of its duty. A quasi peace exists
between the late belligerents, the
terms of which are dictated wholly
by Congress, which is under the con
troll of the Republican Party. Moth
ing but the proceeds of the contisca
ton of a small portion of the pro
perty of the wealthy rebels can be
applied to pay the damages inflicted
by the marauders unless it be paiC
+ out by the Treasury Of the United
States. A few Republican meteors
always erratic in their course, are fit
: ting through and exploding in thu
Republican atmosphere. They attrac
: sufficient public attention to enable
them to assure the amiable rebel
: who inflicted this injury that the,
i need fear no confscation; that no
{ body of any note in the North is ii
favor of imposing such punishment
{ for the sake OF remuneration or o.
u justice. They assure them that moth
I ing shall be taken from the Aiken
. estate of millions, from Hampton
g Davis, Orr, Faulkner, or from thou;
. and others who are still worth thei
3 hundreds of thousands, to reimburs
the loyal men, North and South, VIII
IF were plundered on their estates, an
Y. to aid your poor neighbors to rebuilt
a their humble tepements. 1t is scarce
~ ly to be endured that Congress fo
= two sessions should sit Indifferent t
these sufferings, and take no steps
enforce these rights. These remark
= apply to large portions of Maryland
~ of West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana an
p Missouri, as well as to the Slav
Q. States. He who can patiently liste
d to that potent humanity which W
O. now see propagated, has more con
g mand of himself than | have. Indee'
o. it looks as if we were still to add t
- the burden of our taxation 70 defra
rs the expenses of transportation an
If the ovation of triumphant traitors
g. But | must stop or | shall comm
" the fault against which | have bee
~ warned.
" With great respect, your obediel
% servant, THADDEUs STEVENS.
lie
ho Terrible EYn1osion In phila dalnhi