The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-10-26
LETTER FROM SAMUEL J. TILDEN
IN REGARD TO coNFEDER-
A!E CLAIMS.
In Which He Announces His Inten.
tion to Veto Any Bill for Their
Payment.

New YORK, Oct. 24.-The following
letter of Gov. Tildeu, dated to-day. ex-
plains itself
To Hon. ADRIAN S. HEWITT: Sr: /
have received your letter informing me
that Republicans high in authority are
publicly representing that the south de-
sires, not without hope, to obtain payment
for losses by the late war, and to have pro-
vision made for the rebel debt and for
losses of slaves. The payment OF such
losses and claims was not deemed i'm
portant enough to deserve the notice OF
either convention at the time it was held.
You also ask me TO state my views in re
gard to their recognition by the govern.
ment. Though disposed myself to abide
by the issues as made up already, | have
no hesitation to comply with your request.
The fourteenth amendment of the consti-
tuition expressly provides as follows:
The validity of the public debt OF the United
States authorized by law, including debts incurred
for the payment Of pensions and bounties for
services In suppressing instruction or rebellion,
shall not b. ques Toned: but neither the United
States nor any state shall assume or pay any debt
obligation incurred IN aid of insurrect or re-
bellion against the United states or any claim for
loss or emanc patton OF any slave; but all such
debts, obligations, and claims shall be held Illegal
and void.
This amendment has been repeatedly
approved and agreed to- by the Democratic
state conventions OF the south. 1t was
unanimously adopted as part of the plat
form Of the Democratic national conven.
ton at st. Louis on the 2Sth Of June, and
was declared by that platform to be uni
versally accepted as
A FINAL SETTLEMENT OF THE coNTRovER-
SIZES
that engendered the civil war. My own
position on this subject had been previous
ly declared on many occasions, and partic
ularly 10 my first annual message OF Jan.
5, 1875. 10 that document stated that
the southern people were bound by the
thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth con
stitutional amendments; that they had
Joined at national conventions in the nom.
iuatiou Of candidates and in the decara
ton Of principles and purposes which form
an authentic acceptance of the results OF
the war embodied IN the last three amend
ments to the on ganic law Of federal union
and that they had, by SURFACES of all theil
voters, at the last national election, com
pleted proof that now they only seek tC
share with us and to maintain the common
rights OF American local sell government
in fraternul union. under the old flag with
one constitution and one destiny. | de
clared at the same tine the questions set
tied by the war are never to be reopened
The adoption Of the thirteenth, fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments to the fedora
constitution closed one great era 10 oul
politics. 1t marked the end forever Of the
human slavery, aud of the struggles thai
grew out Of that system. These amend
meuts have been accepted in good faith by
all political organizations and people of al
sections. They close the chapter.
THEY ARE AND MUST BE FINAL.
All parties hereafter must accept aDC
stand upon them, and henceiorth our poll
tics are to turn upon questions of the pres
ent and future, and not upon those Of tn,
settled ard final past. Should be elected
president, the provisions of the fourteenth
amendment will, so far as depends OF me
be maintained, executed and enforced il
Perfect and absolute good faith No rebe
debt will be assumed or paid No caiu
for loss or emancipation of any slave vii
be allowed No claim for any loss or dam
age incurred by disloyal persons arising
from the late war, whether covered by TIT
fourteenth amendment or not, will be rec
ognized or paid. The cotton tax will no
be refunded. shall deem il
MY DUTY TO VETO EVERY BILL
providing fr the assumption or payment O
any debts. losses, damages, claims, or 70
the refundiDg of any such tax. Th'
danger to the United States treasury is no
from claims ni Persons VINO aided tn,
rebellion. but from claims OF persons re
siding IN the southern states or haviul
property in those states, Who were, o
pretended to BE-. or who, for the sake o
aiding claims, now pretend {, have beer
loyal tc the government Of the union
Such claims. even of loyal persons, wher,
they are from acts caused by operations
Of war, have hecn d;sowned by the public
law ~ civilized pations. condemned by ad
IN ticau rs ~ The supreme court OF III,
United S.a',s, nud only fDG any status b,
force II ,ir ha Legislation Of congress
These "olm- have become stale, and ar,
often ,nlnicI with fraud. They are nearl,
always owned in whole or IN part, b,
claim agents, by spectators. or lobbyists
who nave M equity against tax payers O
the public. Tney should in oil cases
BE scEUTISIzED WITH JEALOUS CARE.
Calowites to individuals which we're il
flicted by the war are, for the most par
irrepaIabe The government cannot r,
call to life million of our youth who wer
TO untlmely graves, nor compersat
sutferings or sorrow of their relatives G
friends, Il cannot robust hetween 10