The Portland daily press., 1876-10-25
s. j. r.
He Disc0urseth ON Southern War
Claims
Aud Tells What He WIFI DO when
President.

NEW York, Oct. 24.-The following letter
from Gov. Tllden was given to the press to-
night:
New YORK, Oct. Oath, 1876.
To the Hon. EAbram S. Heaoit :-Sir,-I
have received your letter informing me that
Republicans high in authority are publicly rep
resentpg that ''the South desire, not without
hope, to obtain payment 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 eth
err 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 myself to abide by the issue as made
up already, have no hesitation to comply with
your request. The 18th amendment of the Con-
stitution expressly provides as follows
The validity of the public debt of the United
States authorized by law, including debts incurred
for payment for pensions and bountes for services In
suppressing instruction rebellion shall not be
questioned, bnt 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
emancipation of any slave, but all such debts,
obligations and claims shall be held illegal and VOID.
THIS amendment has been repeatedly sp-
proved and agreed to by the Democratic state
convention of the South. 1t was unanimously
adopted as part of the platform of the Demo-
cratic national convention at St. Louis on the
2Sth of june, and was declared by that platform
to be universally accepted as final settlement
of the controversies that engendered the civil
war;
My own position on this subject had been
previously declared ON many occasions, particu-
larry in my first annual message of Jan 9Th,
1875. in that document l stated that the
Southern people were bound by the 18th, 18th
and 10Th Constitutional amendments that they
had joined at national conventions in the NOM
rnaf of nndt dot and al
principles and purposes which form an authen-
tic acceptance of the results of the war embod-
led in the last three amendments to the organic
law of the Federal Union and that they had by
the suffrages of all their votes at the last ma
| tional election completed the proof that now
| they only seek to share with us and to main
| tain the common rights of American local self
government in fraternal union under the old
| flag with one constitution and one destiny. l de-
clared at the same time 1.-THE questions settled
| tion of the 18th, 14th and 18th amendments Ia
| the federal constitution closed one great era in
our politics. 1t marked the end forever of the
| system Of human slavery and of the struggles
that grew out of that system" These amend
ments have been conclusivey adopted and they
| have been accepted in good faith by all politi
cal 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 1 be elected President, the provisions
| of the 14th amendment will, so far as depends
on me, be maintained, executed and enforced
| in perfect and absolute good faith. No rebe
debt will be assumed or paid; no claim for the
loss or emancipation OF any slave will be
| allowed; no claim for any loss or damage in
CURED by disoyal persons, arising from the
| late war, whether covered by the 18th amend
ment 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 payment of any such debts
losses, damages, claims, or for the refunding oil
any such tax.
The danger to the national Treasury is moi
| from the claims of persons who aided the re-
bellion, but from claims of persons residing in
| the Southern States, or having property in
those states, who were or pretended to be, OF
| who for the sake of aiding claims, now pre-
| tend to have been loyal to the government Of
| the Union. Such claims, even of loyal per
| sons, where they are from acts caused by ths
| operations of war, have been disowned by the
public of civilized nations, condemned by
| the adjudcatons of the Supreme Court of the
| United States, and only find any status BY
| force of specific legislation of Congress
| These claims have become stale and are Otter
tainted with fraud. They are nearly always
| owned in whole or in part by claim agents, by
spectators or lobbyists who have no equity
| against the tax payers or public. They should
| in all cases be scIutinized with jealous care
! The calamites to individuals which were in
| ficted by the late war are for the most part ir
reparable. The government cannot recall tt
| life the million of our youth who went to un
| timely graves, nor compensate the sufferngs OF
| sorrow of their relatives or friends. 1t cannot
readjust between individuals the burdens o.
taxation hitherto borne, or of debts incurred tt
| sustain the government which are yet to bt
| paid. 1t cannot apportion anew among oul
| citizens the damages or losses incident to mill
tary operations or resulting in every variety Of
| form from its measures for maintaining its OWE
| existence. 1t has no safe general rule but t
| let bygones be bygones, to turn from the dead
past to new and better future, and on that
basis to assure peace, reconciliation and frater
| nifty between all sections, classes and races O
| our people to the end that all the springs o
our productive industries may be quickened ani
new prosperity created, in which the evils O.
| the past shall be forgotten.
Very respectfully yours,
| (Signed,) SAMUEL j. TILDEN.