National Republican., 1873-11-08
TREASON REVIVED.
(contfnu,d from rirs, Page.,

the pleasure Of the United States, Ia no payment
In whole or In part for the loss sustained BY the
alaveholder, and II II be not u Is no violation OF
the fourteenth amendment. But In the present
depression Of the former saveholdIng interest In
the South, the loan OF this sum might go far TO
satisfy the claimant, although 1t would not pay
him.
The United states Government might be thus
relieved without any violation of either the
fourteenth or fifteenth amendment TO the Con-
sututlon, and greatly to the advantage OF all
concerned. II the General Government, In the
passage OF the act for dcposlting money with
states, did not assume the power TO give money
neither would the amendment forbidding her to
pay the STAKEHOLDER for the loss of his slaves he
violated by deposit OF f400,0oo,000 with the
former slayehOlding States. II might thus, per-
haps, satisfy the Just claimant under the 6fth
amendment without violating the fourteenth,
q result which would be much priced by all who
value the reputation Of the Government for good
faith aud fair dealing II Is perhaps due to can
dor for me to state that was against the act
for depostlng the surplus revenue with the
reasons which il is 1nnecessary vi 10 recaptulate
here. But in the case which ] am discussing
there IL no fear Of the precedent as this case can
have mo no parallel ne.eas acnls to see
the premises which are given can be resisted,
unless either upon the ground that under the
war power ths United states could emancipate
compensate the owners for their loss, or else be-
cause there could be no property in slaves.
From the nrst claim the United States arc
cstopped by their course OF negotiation with
Great Britain In the treaties which terminated
the two wars which have been waged between
those countries. In the seventh OF the proyi.
sional articles between the two countries, agreed
| upon November %, 1879, 1t was stipulated that
| the British armies should withdraw without
| carrying away any negroes or other property
| Of the American inhabitants," and because they
| did carry away many negroes, taken during the
war, there was correspondence between the
Governments on that subject. 10 this CORE.
spondence claim for compensation for those
carried away was admitted by Sir Guy Carleton.
In the frst article Of the treaty OF ahent there
was similar stipulation on the part OF Grea,
Britain In regard TO "any slaves or other private
property" and because they did carry them nway
1t was decided by the Emperor OF Russia, tc
whose Arbitration the case was submitted, that
they should pay the American owners, which
they did. Neither can they set up the plea tina
there was no properly in slaves, for here thcJ
are met by the whole course of negotiations be
tween the United States and foreign Govern
on ss reSs 2,
mcnt and tho decisions Of the courts upon IN,
matter. This is q question which surely ihcr,
can bo need Of arguing here.
In thus giving my opinion rs to the Justlc
! ana policy Of the measure which have sug
Rested, must say a. Mr.. Lincoln did In reRar
70 the payment OF sico,ooo,coo to the despolle
STAKEHOLDER, 81 speak only for myself; am no
authorized TO speak for any one else upon thi
subject" But whilst maintain the justice an
good policy Of such a measure, by no mean
the measure should ever be adopted, that da
may he distant, and only after there Is grea
revolution In the public sentiment Of the State
: which were .slayeholdlng at the tlmc OF tn
. emancipation. To press such q claim premi
turely would only in]ure the chances and della
the time OF Its ultimate acknowledgment, shoul
: that ever take place. Should the measure he al
I tempted too soon, an adverse decision might b
provoked, In the present temper Of the publ
mind, and the chances OF Its final adoptio
might be preludlced or destroyed. Dut whilst
= by no means recommend any practical Issue I
7 be made upon this question at present, ! see n
I harm In keeping the claim alive, or In demon
\ strailng It's Justice as far as It may he pOssib
8 to do so. IL was In this belief that upon q lal
0 occasion ! endeavored to present the claim
d my wronged and deapoiled countrymen, an
: suggested that something should be don,
o which, although very far short Of paymen
q might get he considered possibly as q satisfai
tiOn for their wrongs. To show that even th
b Northern mind Is not entirely closed to such q
1 appeal, send you q copy Of letter which 7,
' cclyed upon the subject from Northern gentl
o man OF high standing and great intelligence.
| with great respect, very truly yours,
, II. N. Il. HUNTER