The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-01-15

Bill SudIiIuity VI tudb OOtCluillCiItst
Democratic Kentucky, few days ago,
by a Joint resolution in her Legislature, took
steps in the same direction, which win be
seen by the following report of legislative
Resolved by the General .4ssemblp Of Ken
tucky, That select committee, composed of
five members of this House and five Of the
Senate, he appointed, with instruction to
report as soon as practicable to the General
Assembly of Kentucky the assessed value of
the slaves taken from citizens Of Kentucky
by Federal Executive proclamation, by acts
of Congress, and by the amendment to the
Federal Constitution. (known as article 1872
and also the value of such slaves taken from
each county of this commonwealth: and
that said committee report what steps are
necessary and proper to enable citizens of
this State to obtain compensation from the
Federal Government for said property SO
taken.
All the rebels of the South will be unani-
nous on this question, and the interest at
stake is so vast as to enable them to hold
out great temptations in the way of corrup-
ton; and the Democratic party of the
North are not only in position to meet them,
but are fully committed to the justice and
legality of their claims. When, in 1856, it
was proposed to amend the Constitution so
as to prohibit the Government from making
compensation for slaves, every Democratic
member of Congress, believe, in both
houses, voted against it, and throughout the
North, Democratic papers and orators de-
nounced it with the utmost bitterness. And
when, in 1862, the Presidents proclamation
of emancipation appeared, and afterward, in
1854, when it was formally proposed to
abolish slavery by an amendment of the
Constitution, the Democracy everywhere, in
Congress and out of it. denounced the
proclamation and amendment as unjust
wicked, and impolitic, roundly declaring
the master should not be deprived of their
slaves without due compensation made
But were the Northern Democracy not al
ready committed in favor of the proposition.
they would, when the Southern wing made
it a condition, readily yield acquiescence.
and thus add not less than eighteen hun
dred millions of dollars to the public debt.
Whoever believes in the nghtfulness of the.
rebellion or gave it their sympathy must.
and will. if consistent, be in favor of paying.
tor the slaves - t7H
Another issue directly involved in the sue.
ces of the Democratic party is the assump--
tiOn of the rebel war debt. When Southern
rebels are restored to power and take their
seats in Congress does any man believe that.
they will vote to tax themselves and others
to pay the national debt, or the interest upon
it, while their own war debt is in no. way
provided for9 They put their property
and money into confederate stocks and
bonds and lost all, and the simple soul must
be credulous indeed who believes that these.
men will voluntarily tax themselves to pay
the Northern bondholder. or will act in CON
cert with Northern party, that proposes to.
tax them tor that purpose. They hate the
Northern bondholder, and feel under no.
moral or political obligations to pay his
debts, and will make it condition with
the Northern Democracy that, they shall re-
pudiate the national debt or consolidate.
their own with it. And the Northern De-
are in position to meet them on
this question also. When it was proposed
in 1866 to amend the Constitution so as to
prohibit the assumption of the rebel war
debt, every Democrat in Congress voted
against it, and their action was sustained bv
the party throughout the North. The
Democratic party were hostile to the nation.
al debt in its inception, and have always
sympathized more strongly with the South
ern than the Northern bondholder and if
they refuse to accede to the demands of the
South in this matter it will he the first time
in their history. And l may say to the !.
national creditors right here that the pay
ment of their debt will depend absolutely
upon the future supremacy of the idea -
that the war to suppress the rebellion and
to preserve the Union was waged in righte-
Gus cause. Tile dntag0nistic idea pM neuer
pay the debt.
Another issue Immediately involved in the
success of the Democratic party is the pen
sioning of rebel soldiers, their widows and
orphans, and placing them upon level with
the soldiers of the Union. Is it to be SUD.
posed for one moment that rebels when re-
stored to power in the national government
will levy taxes and vote>>noney to pension
Union soldiers, their Widows and orphans,
while their own are unproviled for and left
in poverty? This would be against human
nature, and upon this they would never
compromise. The elevation of the rebel
soldier will follow the elevation of the DEM
ocratic party to power, as surely as the noon
will follow the rising sun, and if you would
comprehend what would then be the condi
ton of the Union soldier, look to his pres
ent status in the Democratic States of Ken
lucky and Maryland. In these States he is
to-day an Out-cast from society. He is pro-
scribed socially as infiexibly as if he had
been an inmate of the penitentiary, and is
equally prescribed in his business. II far
mer, his neighbors will not help him if
they will not buy his goods: if
lawyer or doctor, they will not employ him:
and his home has become more cruel than
foreign land, and he must go into exile for
the crime of having been faithful to his !
The military policy to be hereafter pnrs, /.
ed in the matter of reconstruction is clear y
indicated in the order promulgated by &c 4
eral Hancock on assuming command OF IL le
9th military district, and as it has been pi e
sented BIZ the President to Congress for +
admiration, it is fair subject for CRITICS a
and remark. And tor fear that it may n
said that l have misrepresented the order v
done it injustice, will ask my friend
read the whole of it in your hearing:
HEADo'Rs FIFTH MILITARY DISTRICT,
New ORLEANS, La, Nov. 80, 1867.
General Orders No. 40:
l. In accordance with General Orders No.
81, headquarters of the army, .Adjutant Gen
erals Office, Washington, D. c., August 81,
1867, Major General W. S. Hancock hereby
assumes command of the 9th military dis
trirt, and of the department composed of
the States of Louisiana and Texas.
II. The general commanding is gratifed
to learn that peace and quiet reign in this
department. 1t will be his purpose to pre-
serve this condition of things. As means
to this great end he regards the maintenance