Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-10-26
SIGNIFICANT.

Under the 14th amendment neither the
nation nor the State can "assume or pay
any debt or obligatio incurred in aid oil
instruction or rebellion against the United
States, or any claim for the loss or emancl-
patton of any slave; but all such debts,
obligations, and claims shall be held ille-
gal and void" The constitutions Of the
reconstructed States contained similar
provision. Payment for slaves emanci-
pated has been the dream of Southern
aristocracy 1t is kept in view always.
and every available influence has been
brought to bear to convert the dream into
a reality. The only plan to secure this
hoped-for Transformation is by amending
the Constitution itself. The administra-
ton of the Government once in Democrat
ic hands, it is thought that through the
force of patronage, intimidation, or open
violence. three-fourths of the States could
be secured to vote for the necessary
amendment. This secured, the rest of the
plan could be easily carried out. Con-
gress would legalize the payment. or each
State could enact laws to pay the former
slave owners, and receive from the United
States Government its bonds, by way of
national security for the eventual return
of the money to the State. paid on ac-
count of slaves. The first step in this
scheme for public robbery, is to have
united South. Every State in that section
must be under the control of Democracy.
The second step will he to divide the
North, so as to give the Democratic party
the control of the Government. The next
will be to propose the amendment. and
bring every available element to bear to
force its adoption by the requisite three
fourths vote Of the States. The State of
Arkansas was no sooner in Democratic
hands than a convention was called to
amend its constitution. That convention
has finished its work, and one of the lead
ing changes made was the striking out Of
the clause which prevents the Legislature
from passing law to pay for emancipa-
the slaves. This is a single straw show
ing the direction of Democratic sentiment
on this question Of payment for slaves, but
in our opinion it is significant one. We
may expect like amendment in every
reconstructed State as soon as it comes
under Democratic control. So that when
the grand move is made by Democratic
Congress there will be no barriers in the
way in the States most interested. This
is but one of the schemes for the success
ofwhich Democracy is plotting. and which
will be put into practical operation as
soon as it comes into power. The re.
funding of the cotton tax, about S6S, ooo,-
600; the payment for property destroyed
during the war, $500, 900, 600; pensions
to Southern soldiers and heirs, 100000
600, and the payment for slaves emanci-
pated of not less than $500. 900, 900, foot
up q sum total that ought to stagger even
a Democratic taxpayer to contemplate
Yet the scheme is possible, and only needs
a change of public sentiment that will
bring Democracy into power to give it the
form of law and authority. Is the nation
willing to assume this new obligation !?
Are the taxpayers willing to double the
weight Of their burdens? If they are let
them SO express themselves at the polls
by voting the Democratic ticket. If they
are opposed to this Ubiquitous plot let them
lay aside the jealousies Of local politics
and vote for men who will stand guard
over the credit and honor of the nation.
The surest way to prevent the assumption
of rebel debts is to keep out of power
those who favor their payment Washing
ton Republic.