The New York herald., 1876-10-25
TILDEN AND THE SOUTH.

THE GOVERNORS LETTER TO ABRAM s. HEw-
ITT-No REBEL DEBTS TO BE PAID.
The following reply OF Governor Tildsn to letter
from the Hon. Abram 8. Hewitt will be read with in
terest as places the Governor record in matter
that has been greatly agtated Of the perls OF
'solid South" in the Presidential election
NEw YORK, Oct. "a, 1870
To THE Hox. ABRAM s. HEWITT
SR-l have received your letter informing mo that
republicans hign in authority publicly representing
payment for losses by the late and have .pro-
VISION made for the rebel debt and Tor the losses OF
slaves
AS tho payment OF such losses and claims was nos
deemed important enough ID deserve the notice OF
either Convention at the time held you also ask
me to state my vexs regard to their recognition by
the government.
Though disposed myself abide by the Issue as made
up already have no hesitation to comply with your
The fourteenth amendment OF the constitution ex.
pressly provides as iohows:-
lied BY law ncudng debts incurred for payment OF
and osapss for service. in o.
states nor any state shall or pay any debt osiSa
United any or Of
slave but All such debts, obligations aud claims shall
This amendment has bosn repeatedly approved and
agreed 10 by democratic State conventions OF the South
IL was unanimously adopted part OF tho platform
OF the Democratic National Convention at ST. LOUIS on
the 18th OF June aud was declared by that platform TO
DO universally accepted as hnai settlement OF the
controversies that cngendered civil war"
Ny own position on this subject had becn previously
declared on many occasions, ana particularly in my
first annual message OF January 5, 1875
In that document stated that the Southern people
were 'bound by the thirteenth tourteeulh and NJ
teenth constitutional amendments; that they had
Joincdat NATIONAL conventions IN the nomination Of
candidates and in the declaration OF principles pur
poses, which form an authentic acceptance Of the
suits Of the war; embodied in the lust three amend
ments 10 tho organic law OF tho federal Union and
that they Ead by the suragcs OF all their voters ut
the last national election, completed the proof that
they only seek TO share with and 70 maintain
the common rights Of American local self government
In fraternal union, under the old Tag with zone
stitution and one destiny"
declared at the same tme:-"The questions settled
by the war are never 10 bc reopened The adoption OF
the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments
to the federal constitution closed great
politics 1t marked the end forever OF the system OF
human slavery and OF the struggles that grow out OF
that system. These amendments have been conclu-
sively adopted ana they have been accepted in good
faith by all political organizations and the people OF all
sections They close the chapter they are and must
be final; all parties hereafter must accept staEd
upon ,hem and henceiorsh our politics are to turn
upon questions OF tho present aud the uure and not
upon those OF the settled and Anal past"
Should be elected President the provisions Of tho
fourteenth amendment WILL SO lar as depends on me,
be maintained executed aud enforced In perfect and
absolute good faith No rebcl debt Will be assumed or
paid No claim for the loss emancipation OF any
age incurred by disoyal persons arising IRON the latc
war. whether covered by the fourteenth amendment
not, will be recognized or paid. Tho cotton TAX
will not be refunded. shall docm 1t my duty
every bill providing for the assumption or payment Of
any such debts, losses, damages, claims tor the
rcfunding OF any such tax.
The danger 30 the national Treasury is not from
claims Of persons who aided the rebellion, but from
claims Of persons residing IN the Southern States
having property in those States who were, or pre-
tended be- who Tor tho sake Of aiding claims
pretend 10 have been. loyal 10 the Of the
Union Such claims, even OF loyal persons, where
they from acts caused from the operations OF
have been disowncd BY the public law Of civilized
nations, conu. mned by the adjudcations OF the
Supreme Court of tho United States and only find any
status by force OF specific legislation OF Congress
Thcse have tai are tan In In ted
with fraud They are nearly always owned In whoo
lists, who have equity against tho taxpayers or the
jealous care.
Tho calamttics individuals which inflicted by
the late aro for the most part irreparablc The
youth who went 10 unumey graves, nor compensate
the suerings or sorrow their relatives friends
1t cannot readust between individuals tho burdens OF
taxation hitherto borne Of debts incurred
tain The government, which jet to be paid II
not apporton anew among citizens the damages
losses military operations resulting In
every variety form from It's measures for maintain
ing existence IL has sale general rule but
let bygones be bygones to turn iroin tho dead past
to new better future, and that basis assure
peace reconciliation and fraternity between all
tons classes and Of people, 10 the end that
all the springs Of our productive industries may DO
quicksned and prosperity created in which the
evils Of the past shall be forgotten. Very respectfully
yours, SAMUEL J. TlLDEN.