The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-10-28
=. Declares Himself Utterly
Opposed to the Payment
of Rebel Claims.
ACIear, Concise and Unmis-
taxable Avowal OF
Principles.
Tho Constitution and Its
Amendments Must be
Respected.
yyw York. October 24.-The follow

IN, dispatch explains itself:
NV York. October "a, 1876.
=, Voy. ABRAHAM l.. HEWITT
Ma. >.,. have received your letter
,.,-m;rr me that Republicans high in
,,,bor,,y are publicly representing that
.,f. South desires, not without hope,
,.,b.aia payment for losses by the late
u,r and TO have provision made for the
--r.J debit and for the losses OF slaves
4, the payment of such losses and Claims
Vas not deemed important enough 10
l...rye the notice of either Convention
-. the time it was held, you also ask me
state NV views in regard to Their re-
IGNITION by Government. Though
disposed myself to abide by the issue as
m.de up already, l have no hesitation
,ocomply with your request.
The Fourteenth Amendment of the
Constitution expressly provides as fol-
aw.: The validity of the public debt
nf,hc United States authorized by law,
.,.,uIing debts incurred for payment OF
prp.iops and bounties for services IN
.gpprc,,lng instruction or rebellion
snail not be Questioned, but neither the
United States nor any State shall assume
o. pay any debt or obligation in aid OF
.r.rrrc,iun r. rebellion against
Se United States, or any claim
,- los, or emancipation of Any slave,
b. all such debts, obligations and
r..a, shall be declared illegal and void"
THIS amendment has been repeatedly
approved and agreed to by Democratic
state con, rn,inns -f the South. 1t was
unanm,l-ly adopted "a part OF the
platform OF the Democratic National
Convention at ~. Louis on the 18th OF
June. and WAS declared by that platform
20 be- universally accepted as final set
temrnt OF the controversies that engen-
trrcl civil war.
NJ own position on this subject had
been previously declared on many oc-
c,,ons. and particularly in my first an
nus message of January 5, 1878. In
list document stated that the Southern
people were bound by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Constitutional
Amendments; that they had Joined
the National Conventions in the
1omination,of candidates and in dccI"-
's,on of principles and purposes which
i.rm an authentic acceptance OF the re-
s:s % the war, embodied in the last
.-rce amendments of the organic law OF
tue Federal Union, and that they had,
blythe suffrage Of All their voters at the
la,t national election, completed the
proof that now they only seek 20 share
with Us and to maintain the common
nights OF American local selt.goyern-
ment, in iraternal union under the old
tss with one Constitution and one des-
Tiny declared at the same time that the
question, settled by the war are never TO
hereopcned
The adoption OF the Thirteenth, Four
.ecsth and Fifteenth Amendments to the
Federal Constitution closed one great
era in our politics. 1t marked the end
forever Of the system of human slavery
aud the struggles that grew out OF that
system. These amendments have been
concIusively adopted. ana they have
oeen accepted in good faith by all polit'
zeal organizations and people of all Sec
IONS. They close the chapter. They
sfesnd must be final. All parties here
N''e' must accept and stand upon them,
'Do henceiorth our politics are to turn
'Pon questions of the present and future
SAl not upon those of the settled and
fnsIpast.
Should be elected President, the pro-
visions of the Fourteenth Amendment
WILL so far as depends on me, be main
'Nhed, executed and enforced in perfect
anu absolute good faith. No rebel debt
Will be assumed or paid. No claim for
'o'' or emancipation of any slave will be
'HoSed. No claim for any loss or dam
age incurred by disloysl persons arising
nun The late war, whether covered by
'ue Fourteenth Amendment or net, Will
V' recognized or paid. The cotton tax
Will not be refunded. | shall deem it