The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-11-02
SOUTHERN CLAIMS.
Gov. Tilden's Great Letter.

NEW \ DIRK, Oct. "a, 1876.
To the Hon Abram S. Hewitt:
Sit! have received Your letter inform
ing me that Republicans high in authority
are publicly representing that 1.-The South
desire, not without hope" to obtain pay
ment for losses by the late war. and to
have ''provisions made for the rebel debt
and for the losses OF slaves" AS the pay
ment of such losses and claims was not
deemed important enough to deserve the
notice of either Convention at the time it
was held, You also ask me TO state my
views in regard to their recognition by
the Government Though disposed. my
self, to abide by the issue as made up al
ready, have no hesitation to comply with
your request.
The fourteenth Amendment of the Con-
stltution expressly provides as follows
The validity of the public debt Of the United
states authorized by law, including debts IN
CURED tor payment of pensions and 5ounties
Tor services IN suppressing instruction or re-
bellon, shall not be questioned; but neither
the United States, nor any State, shall assume
or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of
instruction or rebellion against the United
States, or any claim for the loss or emancipa-
ton 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 a part of the plat
form of the Democratic National Conven-
ton at st. Louis on the 18th of June, and
was declared by that platform to be uni
yersally accepted as a final settlement of
the controversies that engendered the civil
war. My own position on this subject had
been previously declared on many occa-
sioas, and particularly in my first annual
message of Jan. ), 1870 In that document
| stated that the Southern people were
bound by the Thirteenth. Fourteenth and
Fifteenth Constitutional Amendments;
that they had joined at National Conven-
tons in the nomination of candidates and
in the declaration of principles and pur-
poses Which form al authentic acceptance
of the results OF the war embodied in the
last three amendments to the organic law
Of the Federal Union, and that they had,
by the suflrages of all the voters, at the
last National election. completed the proof
that now they only seek to share with us
and to maintain the common rights OF
American local sell-government in a fra
ternal union under the old flag with lone
Constitution and one destiny" | declared
at the same time
The questions settled by the war are never
to be reOpened. The adoption of the Thir-
teenth, Fourteenth and fifteenth Amendments
to the Federal Constitution closed one great
era i'll our politics. 1t marked the end forever
of the system of human slavery, and OF the
struggles that grew out of that system. These
Amendments have been cOnclusiyey adopted
and they have been accepted i'll 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 and stand upon them, and henceforth
our politics are to turn upon questions of the
present and the future and not upon those of
the settled and final past.
Should | be elected President, the pro-
visions of the Fourteenth Amendment
will. SO lar as depends on me- be main
and absolute good faith. No rebel debt
the loss or emancipation of any slave will
be allowed; no claim for any loss or dam
age incurred by disloyal persons arising
from the late war, whether covered by
the Fourteenth Amendment or not, will
he recognized or paid. The cotton tax
viii not be refunded | SHALL DEEM IT
MY DUTY TO VETO EVERY BILL PROVIDING
FOR THE ASSUMPTION OR PAYMENT OF ANY
Ctth I-cS9Ic, DAMAtIto. tlAlN9 ClI
FOR THE REFUNpING OF ANY SUCH TAN.
The danger to the National Treasury is
not from the claims of persons who aided
the rebellion, but from claims of persons
residing in the Southern States, or having
property in those States, who We're or
pretended to be, OF who, for the sake OF
aiding claims, now pretend to have been
loyal to the Government Of the tniOn.
oil, =
they are from acts caused by the opera
tons of the war, have been disowned ny
the public law OF civilized nations, con
demned by the adjudications OF the Su-
preme Court OF the United States, and
only find any status by force Of specific
legislation of Congress- These claims
have become stale, and are often tainted
with fraud. They are nearly always
owned, in whole OF in part, by claim
agents, by spectators or lobbyists. who
have no equity against the taxpayers or
the public. They should in all cases be
scrutnized with jealous care.
The calamties to individuals which
were inflicted by the late war are. for the
most part, irreparable. The Government
cannot recall to life the million of our
youth who went to untimely graves, nor
OlbpcDoiIt Inc SullcIlllPS bl SblitW III
their relatives OF friends. 1t cannot read
Just between individuals the burdens of
taxation hitherto borne, or OF debts in
CURED to sustain the Government which
are yet to be paid. 1t cannot apportion
anew among our citizens the damages or
losses incident to military operations or
resulting, in every variety Of form. from
its measures tor maintaining its own eX-
istence. 1t has no safe general rule but
to let by-gones be by-gones; to turn from
the dead past to a new and better future,
and on that basis to assure peace, recon-
citation and fraternity between all sec
lions, classes and races Of our people. to
the end that all the springs Of our produc-
tive industries may be quickened and q;
new prosperity created, IN which the
evils of the past shall be forgotten.
Very respectfully yours.
SAMUEL j TUDEN