The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-01-04

The Congressional Record Of Decem-
Der 16, contained the following signiA-
cant item:
"Mr. Vance, OF North Carolina, in
troduoed bill Oh. r. No. 22S) to re-
peal joint resolution of March 2, 1867
and the act Of February 4, 1862, pro-
hibiting payment to any person not
opposed to the rebellion; which wes
read first aud second time"
The bill offered by Mr. Vance repeals
the joint resolution of March 2, 1867,
which loyal Congress enacted for the
protection Of the United States Treas
ury. Under this joint resolution no
claim for damages done, or property
used during the rebellion, would be
entertained or paid by the United
States, unless the loyalty of the claim
ant was clearly established. 1t has
proven safeguard and has excluded
a class Of unjust claims amounting in
the aggregate to several hundred mil
lions of dollars. The act of February
4, 1862, authorized the Secretary OF
the Interior to strike from the pension
roll the names Of such persons rs had
taken up arms against the Government.
Other laws Of similar nature have
been passed from time to time, having
for their object the exclusion OF war
claims presented by those who wen
engaged in the rebellion.
Mr.. Vance, in the first flush of DEM
ocratic Ascendency, opens direct fre
upon these loyal barriers, and has at
his back a powerful influence in the
House Of Representatives. OF course
this infamous proposition, the effect Of
which, il legalized, would be to double
our national debt, cannot become .
law. A Republican Senate and loyal
President stands in the lway Of its en-
actment. Still, the animus of Dem oc-
racy is seen in this proposition Of the
North Carolina member. His bill re-
fleets the views of every Southern
Democrat, and at least q majority Of
those coming from the north.
1t is safe to say that the control Of
the nation by the Democracy would
cost the Government not less than ST.
000, 900, 900 within the next four years.
Among the claims awaiting the restora-
tion OF the Democratic party are the
following:
Payment for all slave property for
damages done to private property by
military operations for supplies taken
by or furnished to the army; refund
ing the cotton tax /; payment for prop
erty, contraband Of war, seized and
confiscated. These are ameng tie
leading claims held in reserve for tbs
restoration Of Democracy to power.
These are among the claims that
4 - -
bill offered by Mr.. Vance should ever
become law.
1t is we'll for the loyal element that
still controls the Government to note
the DRIFT Of Democracy, and to take
such actisn as patriotism indicates to
prevent the humiliating and disastrous
surrender which the Dem ocrats ars
building their hopes upon. The ac-
ton OF Mr.. Vance in the House in pro-
posing to break down the barrieSs
which loyal Congress had erected for
the protection of the nation; the rejee-
ton by strict party vote Of Mr.. Forte
Joint resolution, giving preference to
disabled Union soldiers in appoint
ments made by the House; the whole
sale dismissal of wounded heroes from
positions they had long occupied with
credit, and the substitution Of ex-Con-
federate officials, are such startling in
dications OF the revolutionary policy to
be pursued by the Democracy that 10
encouragement and support by the
American people will be little short Of
n crime against the Republic.
We call upon the true friends OF the
nation to organize for its defense. -
Let Republican clubs be started every
where TO keep the people thoroughly
posted on the condition OF afairs, and
te arouse them 10 a sense Of duty dur
ing the Presidential campaign. The
common enemy is vigilant and our
friends must meet il with equal vigi.
lance. Local preiudices must be lsid
aside until the great question Of ma
tional safety is decided. Good men
must baud together for the common
defense. Personal ambition must bend
to the public good. The skies srs
bright for glorious Republican vieto-
nv in 1876. Bat victory depends upon
activity, hard work, and upon that
lsudabIe spirit OF self-sacrifice that
prompts each patriot 10 forget self in
his devotion TO the country he loves.
We call upon the Republican preo
of tho nation 10 renew its efferts in be-
half Of the noble party whose over
throw would be death blow 10 the
Union. Plain words must be spoken;
the truth must be presented; the mssk
must be torn from pemocracy, aud
the dangers following its restoration
SO clearly shown that no patriot OF sv-
erage intelligence need err in forming
a acorrcct judgment as to his duty in the
Presidential campaign. Republican
Journals throughout the country have
struck grand blows for liberty aud JUS
tice in the past, but grander work v
still before them. The centennial yesr
will be ono Of inspiration to patriot
ism: let AL who love ths Republic Ia
nor 1, make IL one OF victory. ~ iis-