The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-05-20
Ghe Sailg Arqns.
Tuesday, Nay 20, 1873.
rhn southnrn Frnuaulsnt n.A..

The proofs Of the fact that ''reconstruc-
ton was about the most in-advised, un-
statesmanlike, unjust and unpatriotic
scheme for the treatment of the Southern
States that could have been invented, are
multiplying TO an extent that forces even
the most robust believers in that policy 10
accept them. It's entire history is a rec
ord Of misrule, depravity, conspiracy and
strife and 1t seems that we have not
reached the end yet Not only have we
the Louisiana and Alabama troubles, the
legitimate product Of the policy, on our
hands yet, but we are threatened with
what may be called an enormous bill Of
expense in the shape of a Congressional
assumption Of the fraudulent debts of the
Southern States. We pointed out the
probability Of this thing year ago, when
we predicted an application 10 Congress by
the holders of the illegal bonds Of these
States, for payment of them and here is
the movement before u.s. Georgia has
disowned about $1,000 900 of the bonds
fraudulently issued in the name of her
people by the worthless governor, Bullock
and the coniederates whom the federal
government imposed on them. South
Carolina rs bankrupt and crushed with n
debt OF $50, 0OO, 900, contracted by deprav-
ed negroes and carpet baggers who had no
interest in the State but % plumber its
people, and who, in the accomplishment Of
this purpose, had the active support of the
federal government and the moral coun-
tenance of the whole Republican party.
Louisiana is encountered with a debt a
large share Of which is believed to be
fraudulent and illegal, and which is almost
certain 10 be disowned by the people,
when they come into the control of their
own affairs. Tennessee is staggering I'M
der debt contracted By Brownlow and
the carpet baggcrs her people are resoly-
ed 10 pay it il they can, but their ability %
do 1t Is not yet demonstrated The hold
ers OF the fraudulent and endangered
bonds of these States have become uneasy
aud have organized a scheme 10 appeal IN
Congress for an Endorsement of them. and
the ultimate payment of them They will
have the support OF nearly all the Repub.
liCan members of Congress from the
Southern States and the aid of their per
sonal friends in the North, where the
bonds are chiefly held II is said that the
total amount Of Southern debt which Con.
gress is to be asked 10 indorse is Sl2j.
O0O,OoD. IL requires prodigious amount
OF impudence 70 ask the people Of the
nited States u assume and pay this debt
which represents a part of the cost Of ne
grOism and carpet bagism but the ease
which the applicants make out is not so
himsy, after all They argue that these
bonds whether fraudulent or not. were
authorized and issued by legislatures aud
governors who we're imposed on and main
tatpal H.. ,,..,1. l., N..I.-..1
Crmnont that they were, in fact, the
agents and creatures Of the government
that they were not chosen by the penple of
the respective States, and, therefore. the
people of those States cannot be expected
tJ be- responsible for their debts that
they rfr. appointed and kept in place by
the general government and the general
government therefore Is Justly responsible
for what they did.
This Is good logic aud good law, too. IL
shows 10 the people ct the North what in
Movements the scheme of reconstruction
has led them into. 1t shows the intermiu-
able disorder injustice aud expense which
the congressional violations OF the right Of
the people - govern themselves have leit
behind This misrule has cost the people
OF the south eight years of scmi-anarchy
and three hundred million dollars and
now the people of the North are told that
thar share OF the cost i, Sl2J, OUu.UuU, and
they will be expected u pay it, since it i,
the legitimate fruit ui the Republican pol
icy
But the debt will never be paid. It will
have IN go along with the other claims
which congress has resolved not o. pay
that tor the slaves Of loyal owners set free
by the government, and that tor the pro
pcrty Of loyal owners destroyed bv our
armies in the South. The holders of these
fraudulent bonds bought them at their
own risk in some cases they not only
knew them tn be fraudulent but even par
tcipated in the fraud of their issue; and
If they made the mistake Of supposing that
the people Of the North would pay their
share Of the expense of carpet bagism.
they will have 10 suffer for it.--lT. Louis
EspUbItcrH