The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-05-23

the nation, Congress is bound to d,
what is just, what's equitable and wha
is becoming our Christian civilization
While we are the custodisns of TIT
national treasure, We are also tn,
guardians OF the national honor. Will,
we are bound to protect the treasur,
from the payment of illegal claims, vi
are bound to see that the honor anC
interests OF the people do not suffer
When a great and magnanimou'
nation Ike us takes from one Of i'll
loyal citizers his property, and apple;
it to its own use aud benefit, that citi.
zeus ought to be pad every cent o. the
value o. the property so used.
Wherever the people in the Southern
States preserved their fidelity to the
Government, they were as free from
the rebellion as loyalist residing in
any Northern State, and with much
more merit, because the temptation
and forces that operated so terribly
upon them were 80 much greater.
Congress has passed several laws,
notable among them is the act of July
81, 1868, relieving officers or agents oil
the army from liability to owners oil
property taken, used, or destroyed dur
ing the late war. This transfers from
the officers or agents to Government
all liability to pay, &C., for property
taken or destroyed by United States
troops or agents.
When supplies for the army, or mu-
nitious OF war, or anything else wanted
by the Government, were procured or
appropriated in the Northern States,
they were paid for. Nor was any &C..
count taken OF the loyalty or disloyslty
of the party from whom they were pro-
cured. | cannot see any distinction,
either in law or morals, so far as
support OF the cause OF the Union.
SPECIAL CLAIMS OF WEST VIRGINIA ON
THE GOVERNMENT.
1t seems to me, Mr.. President, that
more equitable claim could not be
presented 10 Congress. The State of
West Virginia responded periodically
and maniully to the call OF the Presi-
dent for troops. She sent to the field
some OF the best soldiers that were ev-
er enrolled in any army. She complied
with every requisition that was made
upon her. The heroic deeds OF her
soldiery are written upon the annals Of
history, and OF their exploits she may
well feel justly proud. They were ever
found where duty called them, and
many Of her brave sons lie buried where
they fell in the discharge OF their du-
ty TO their country. By reference TO
the records oil the War Department it
will be seen that West Virginia fur
nished troops to the Federal Govern.
ment during the war to the number Of
32,003-as large number in proper
ton to her able-bodied population, as
any Northern State.
The loyal people Of our State, under
sll their losses and troubles and SUI
ferings, never murmured or com planned,
because they had faith in the procls"
nation Of the President and the pub
lished addresses OF the generals OF the
Union armies that they were consider
ed the friends OF the government, and
as such were entitled to protection
and TO remuneration for ell property
appropriated and used or injured and
destroyed by the Government, OF which
the Government received the benefit.
West Virginia, although destined
when her hills and valleys are densely
populated and her dormant wealth,
now lying undeveloped, shall be I'M
earthed, to be one OF the brightest stars
in the crown of States, is yet in her
infancy. She has had to incur heavy
expense in the erection Of necessary
public buildings, many Of which have
been destroyed by the Union armies
Being a comparatively new State she
needs development. But although she
is in this condition; although she has
been subject to the ravages OF both
armies; although she has had to under
90 toils, privations, and dangers in
Vulnerable, she does not come here as
an object Of charity. She comes. Ask
ing as q right that where the Govern
meht has received the benefit OF the
subsistence stores, the horses, the cat
tie, corn, and other articles of food, the
houses, timber, &c, taken from Loyal
persons in her borders by its armies,
and where they have used, injured and
DESTROYED our maeadamlzed roads
churches, school houses, bridges, court
houses and other public buildings fol
military purposes, they ought TO pay
a lust compensation for the property sc
taken, used, destroyed or injured. ]
feel that my position in this matter ls
true and impregnable, however unable
[ NAV be to do the case justice or 10
convince those OF the Senators VINO may
differ with me in the views have ex'
pressed.
CLOSING REMARKS.
It was easy enough to be true to the
government where the storm and fury
of battle did not rage, where your
homes were undisturbed by the shock
OF arms, where it cost nothing to be
loyal; but IN our country, especially 10
the earlier days Of the war, it required
principle and moral and physical cour.
age and love and devotion to the Union
TO oppose the rebellion. Do we not owe
something to the persona who were
faithful amid such fiery and terrible
trials ?
say, Mr.. President, and / feel ths,
the country ls not only able but will
give it's hearty sanction TO the payment
OF claims OF this class. All that will
be required OF us is that we carefully
scrutinize these claims and see tina
none but just claims are paid and
am willing that the merits OF this bill
shall be submitted to the closest anc
most careful scrutiny.
wish it distinctly understood tina
ou- Deonle are willing not only TO beal