The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-10-30
SIGNIFHCANT.


Aims fthe DemOcratIc Party.
Under the 14th amendment neith-
er the nation nor the State can ''as-
sumo or pay any debt or obligation
incurred in aid of instruction |
or rebellion against the United
States, or any claim for the loss or
emancipation of any slave; but all
such debts, obligations, and claims
shall be held illegal and void" The
constitutions Of the reconstructed
States contained a similar provis-
Ion. Payment for slaves emanci-
pated has been the dream of South
Orn aristocracy. It is kept in view
always, and every available iDfln-
ence 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 admin
istration OF the Government once in
Democratic hands, IL is though that
through the force OF patronage, in
timidation, or open violence, three
fourths ofthe States could be secur-
cd to vote for the necessary amend
ment. This secured, the rest of the
plan could be easily carried out.
Congress would legalize the pay
ment, or each State could enact laws
to pay the former slave owners, and
receive from the United States Gov
eminent its bonds, by way of ma
tional security for the eventual re-
turn Of the money to the State, paid
on account Of slayes. The first step
In this scheme for public robbery is
to have a united South. Every
State In that section must be under
the control of Democracy, The
second step will be to divide the
North, SO as to give the Democratic
party the control of the govern
ment. 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 conven-
ton was called to amend its consti-
tuition. That convention has finish
ed its work, and ono of the leading
changes made was the striking out
of the clause which prevents the
Legislature from passing a..law to
pay for emancipated slaves. This
is q single straw showing the direc'
ton of Democratic sentiment, but
in our opinion 1t Is signihant one
We may expect q like amendment
In every reconstructed State as sooI
as It comes under Democratic con
troll. SO that when the grand move
is made by q Democratic Congress
there will be no barriers in the
way in the States most interested
This is but one of the schemes fol
the success OF which Democracy Il
plotting, and which will be put in.
to practical operation as soon as il
comes into power. The refunding
of the cotton tax, about S68, 0O0, 900
the payment for the property de-
stroycd during the war, S200,000,-
600; pensions to Southern soldiers
and heirs, $4,000, 600, and tho pay
ment for slaves emancipated of not
less than $500 900, foot up sum
total that ought to stagger even q
Democratic taxpayer to contem-
plate. Yet the scheme is possible
and only needs q change of public
sentiment that will bring Dcmocra-
cy into power to give il the form OF
law and authority. Is the nation
willing to assume this new obliga-
tion7 Are the taxpayers willing
to double the weight of their bur-
dens? If they are let them so ex-
press themselves at the polls by
voting the Democratic ticket, or
what will suit the Democrats about
a. well, by voting for the Reform
ticket. and thus dismember the Re-
publican party. If they are oppos-
ed to this ubiquitous plot let them
lay aside the jealousies of local pol
itics and vote for men who will
stand guard oyer the credit aud
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.