The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1876-11-09
HE WILL STAND by THE CONSITU.
TION.
Republican Twnddls About Rebel
Claims Put 10 Rest An Important
Letter From samuel ..
TIiden.
The Following Letter From Gov. Tiidcn
10 Hon. Abrnm Hewitt Explains
Itself aud Sets IN Hesi the
Radical Howl About
Rebel aluims


your letter informing me that republicans
high in authority are publicly represent
ing that the south desires, not without
hope, to obtain payment for losses by the
late war, and to have provision made for
the rebel debt and for the losses of slaves.
AS the payment Of such losses and claims
was not deemed important enough TO de-
serve the notice Of either convention at
time it was held, you also ask me to state
my views in regard to their recognition
by the government. Though disposed
myselfto abide by the issue as made up
already, have no hesitation to comply
with your request.
The fourteenth amendment of the
constitution expressly provides as fol,
lows:
The validity Of thc public debt of the
United States authorized by law including
debts incurred for the payment of pensions
and bounties for services in SuppreSSug in.
Surrection or rebellion, shall not be Vues.
toned. But neither the United State, nor
any state shall assume or pay any debt or oh.
legation incurred in aid of insurreCtion or
rebellion against the United States or any
claim for the loss or emancipation Of any
slave but such debts, obligations and
claims shall be held Illegal and void.
This amendment has been repeatedly
approved and agreed to by the demo-
cratic state conventions of the south. 1t
was unanimously adopted as n part of
the platform of the democratic national
convention Of st, Louis, on the 2Sth of
June, and was declared by that platform
to he universally accepted rs a final set
tlemcnt of the controversies that cngen-
dcred the civil war, My own position
ON this subject had been previously de-
cIared on many occasions, and particu-
larry in my first annual message, Jan. .,
1870 In that document ! stated that
the southern people were bound by the
thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth con
StitutiOnal amendments; that they had
Joined the national conventions in the
nomination of candidates, and in the de-
cIaration Of principles and purposes
which form an authentic acceptance of
the results Of the war embodied in the
last three amendments to the organic
law Of the federal unlon; and that they
had, by suilrages OF all their voters at
the last national election, completed the
proof that now they only seek to share
with us and to maintain the com
mon rights OF American local self
government in lratcrnal union under
the old flag, with one constitution and
ono destiny. | declared at the same
time shat the questions settled by
the war are never to be reopcned. The
adoption of the thirteen, fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments to the federal con-
stituton closed one great era in our pol
ties Il marked the end forever of the
system of human slavery, and the Strug-
giles that grew out Of that system. The
three amendments have been conclusivcIy
adopted, and they have been accepted in
rood 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 ac-
ccpt and stand upon them, and hence
forth our politics are to turn upon ques-
tions OF the prc.ent and future, and not
upon those of the settled and final past.
Should | bc elected president the pro-
visions of the fourteenth amendment will,
80 far as depends ON me, be maintained,
executed and enforced in perfect and alb.
,oIute good faith. No rebel debt will be
assumed or paid. No claim for loss or
emancipation Of any slave will be allow
| Ell. NO claim for any loss or damage in
CURED by disloyal persons, arising from
| the late war, whether covered by the
fourteenth amendment or not, will be
recognized or paid. The cotton tax will
not be refunded
shall deem it my duty to veto every
bill providing for the assumption or pay
ment Of any such debts, losses, damages
claims. or for the rctunding of any tax.
| The danger to the national treasury is
not from the claims OF persons who aided
rebellion, but from the claims OF persons
residing in the southern states, or hay
inc property in those states, who were,
or pretended to be, or who, for the sake
of aiding claims, now pretend to
nave been loyal to the government
of the union. Such claims, even of loyal
persons, where they are from acts caused
by the operations of the war, have been
disowned by the public law Of civilized
nations, condemned ny Ihe a1luuICat.oi, ,
OF the supreme court oi m tne uI'.cu l
states, ana on'y ,'h9 ahy status ny ' Iorce
OF the spec'hc legislation Oh congress
These CLAIMS nave become SIa'e, ana are are
often tainted Win irauI' lhey at
nearly always owned III I. Wilole or III par PPL
by claim agents ny 'Pcc!!latoro vi 'oo, %
byls'S' VINO nave no eIu''y , Ssal'I. ho,,iI ,tLg
taxpayers or the p.;., pup.lo, i"r ;, Ino',,, .La
IN all cases pT r 'eLuil'aaIta It;o, VIZ" ;nd; viz
nations care lhe ca''lIlii'ts ~ iiiui, I,a.