Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-26
CoNFIsCATIoN.

~ ---~N-
General.
CoNFIsCATIoN.
House resolution instructing members of
Congress from Tennessee to use their in
fuence to secure the passage of the conhs-
cation measure of Thaddeus Stevens. The
resolution was passed by vote of 40 to %,
and motion was made to transmit to the
Senate. Some members favored recon-
sideration of the vote, and upon question
to transmit a debate sprung up, which was
extended to the subject matter of the reso-
luton.
Mr. Doughty stated that the measure was
one which he had favored ever since the
close of the war He was boldly and une-
quivocally for the con6scation measures of
Thaddeus Stevens. 1t was but just and
right that the loyal people of the North
should have relief from the burden of ca
lamity which had been brought upon them
by the crimes of Rebels; and that this bur-
| den should be borne by those who were the
| authors of it. He wanted Congress to do
tia duty On this subject, and this they
would be prompted to do if they could feel
| that they had the moral support of the
| States.
Mr.. Williams thought it too late now to
| advocate the policy of confscstion. He
! had advocated such a measure at enc time,
! but that was at the close of the war. Since
| that time Congress had adopted plan of
reconstruction which does not contemplate
coniscation. Tennessee had come in under
the terms of this plan, and other States
were preparing to follow. 1t was no time
now to introduce measures which would re-
new bitterness and strife. The adoption of
such measure would be a calamity to the
loyal men of the South, the very class it
proposed to help, by producing a state of
affairs that would destroy all public prosn
perity and growth.
| Mr.. Myers advocated the resolution. He
depicted the sufierings aud losses of loyal
men during the war, and said that he be-
lieved in melting out some Just punishment
to those whose crimes had brought all this
suffering and ruin. There had been no re-
pentance on the part of the Rebels. 1t was
still necessary to keep them down by mill
tary force, and they never would cease
their hostility to the government until they
should be made to feel that treason will be
| punished.
Mr.. Hacker had always been sup
| porter of the measures of Thaddeus Ste
y
| constitutions framed by the conventions
| now in session or yet to meet, would be
| ratified by the people of those States, and
| in that case he should favor the applics'
| ton OF the doctrine of confiscation. He
did not see that this would be cruel
measure. Justice is never cruel, and il
was but just that those who caused these
calamities and loaded this debt upon the
nation should bear the burden which their
own hands had wrought.
Il Mr.. Roach had never favored con6sca-
ton, and could not favor it now. He had
suffered by the rebellion, perhaps, as much
as any man. He had lost almost all hi
had, but he had never felt willing that his
children should live upon the property o.
Others.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The discussion of the resolution to in
struct onr members in Congress to votes ol
the confscation of Rebel property va
continued.
Mr.. Waters did not think confiscatior
afforded the least solution Of the recon
struction question now before the country
, 1t was not now part of-rhe policy of th'
Republican party. He hoped thequestioI
would be reconsidered, and time given fo
a full consideration and discussion of thu
! subject.
Mir. Singletary was ready to go for any
r measure that would elevate or relieve th'
loyal men of the country, and lower, and
if need be, pauperize the Rebels OF th'
, country. He dwelt upon the course the
, Rebels had taken during the war, and es'
: pecially upon the obstinate persistenc,
r with which they had rejected every propo
= sition which has been made by Congress
for their restoration and return to the
! Union. The government had permitted
: them to return 10 their homes In peace
had treated them with unparalleled for
bearance, had given them their property
and every civil right, and had proposed
to restore to them their political right
upon the easiest terms, if they would be
come LOYAL men. But they had steadily
refused, and were to-day as bitterly rebel
lions as ever. He was surprised that gen
, tlemen should object to measure which
asked nothing butjustice at the hands o
the people who had been the authors Of al
I, this misery. The course of Tennessee wa
being watched with anxiety by the friend
Of loyalty everywhere, and he hoped Their,
would be no division in the ranks HpoI
this question.
Mr.. White, of Greene, remarked tha
4 upon the estimste Of Mr. Stevens it woulc
e be necessary to confscate only the prop
erty of Rebels who beld more than tel
Thousand dollars worth of property, am
only that held in excess of ten thousan,
= dollars, to realize enough to accomplish
the objects contemplated BY his measure
1t was not proposed to impoverish an
=, one. Those whose property did not amour
TO ten thousand dollars Bould not b
affected by the measure. He drew vivi
picture of the cruelty and suffering whic
The Union men Of the South had expe