New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-08
NEW ORLEANS, FRIDAY, MAY s, 1874 =



what Cs.stieutsa bsysasy Daring the Re-
The decision of United States Claims Com
missioner A. o. Adds, adverse to the claim
of our fellow-citizen Mr.. Isaac Bloom, on
the ground that the loyalty Of the claimant
had not been satisfactorily established,
leads every reader of the evidence in the
case to ask what constituted loyalty during
those trying times.
The claimant proved by credible wit
nesses-such as men who served in the
Union army in various grades, neighbors
who lived alongside of him for years, and
merchants with whom he had constant bust
ness relations-that che was q stauuch
Union man: one of the merchants of New
OrleansRt that time outspoken in their ad-
vocacy of the Union and loyalty to the
United Statee;" that he twas certainly one
Of few livery few) in Louisiana among the
white people who were our friends; that
he aided with his money in organizing and
equipping troops for the national cause;
that he contributed to the support of fam
lilies of soldiers who were fighting its bat
ties, and that he never, by word or deed,
aided the so-called Confederate States"
Still. Mr.. Adds, basing his opinion in the
case upon the simple report of a special
agent, which carries with it not even the
selemniry Of an oath, and in which he
acknowledges that he is unable to give any
definite information in regard to Blooms
loyalty" decides to ignore the claim.
Mr.. Bloom, at the time of the capture of
jackson. Mississippi, by the federal forces,
in 1863, was q merchant in that city, repre-
sented by his brother, Mr.. Elias Bloom.
This gentleman, instead Of quitting his
store, and destroying his goods, to prevent
them from falling into the hands OF the
Union troops, as was done by the great
msjority of the merchants of jackson, ON
the contrary, closed his doors, and safely
preserved them, relying upon the advano-
ing army as his friends. His goods were
afterwards taken by the military for pub
lie use, to the amount of $4,000. He was
powerless to prevent this, had he been so
inclined, but the evidence goes to show
that he cheerfully gave up the goods, think
ing he was supplying public want. He,
also, Elias Bloom, the agent, has produced
evidence which convinces us of his loyalty.
He was the friend and protector of the
poor slave; the disbeliever in, and non.
supporter of, the rebel government, and
the good Samaritan who poured wine and
oil into the wounds of the wounded Union
soldiers who lay upon the neighboring bat
tlefields. Yet. neither of these brothers
have satisfactorily proved their loyal adhe-
rance to the United States government,
throughout the war, says Mr. Comm,s-
sioner Adds.
Truly it is astonishing. Were citizens
who lived entirely out of the pale Of pro-
lection from the government expected to
take up arms singlehanded and fight it out
alone on that line, to sacrifice life and prop.
erty without hope of benefting the gov
ernment. Must it have been the duty of
the ioyalist to daily proclaim his adherence
to the Union from the housetops and mar
ket places when there were no federal
troops within hundred miles of hint
Hardly. Yet the Blooms have proved that
they did pretty nearly these things, and Mr..
Adds was not satisfied that they were loyal.
Happily, the decision in this case is not
final one. There is higher court, which
can and doubtless will right their wrongs.
Congress has been appealed to, and that
body will not permit the prejudice which
failed to see any loyalty in the German
Jew" and jew merchant" to refuse Justice
to all eitize1& no matter what might be
their trace, coler or previous condition"
It is case which, in our opinion, involves
the good faith Of the nation toward those
who, in the darkest hour of her history,
stood by her steadfastly. Will our repre-
sentatives in that august body take early
and earnest action in the matterf It is q
case which clearly touches the hearts OF all
true friends of the Union in the South. Let
not our government despoil its own people
nor put of their just claims under aimsy
pretexts.