The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-01-13
PAYMENT OF REBEL DEBTS.

the act of February 4, 1862, prohibiting
payment to any person not known to be
opposed to the rebellion which was
read first and second time.
The bill offered by Mr.. Vance repeats
the joint resolution OF. March 2, 1867,
which loyal Congress enacted for the
protection OF the United States Treasury.
Under this Joint resolution no claim for
damages done, or property used during
the rebellion, would be entertained or
paid by the United States, unless the
/ loyalty OF the claimant was clearly
established. 1t has proven safeguard;
and has excluded class of unjust claims
amounting in the aggregate to several
hundred millions of dollars. The act
of February 4, 1862, authorized the
Secretary of the Interior to strike from
the pension roll the names of such per-
sons as had taken up arms against the
Government. Other laws of similar
time, having for their object the exclu-
sion of war claims presented by those
who were engaged III the rebellion
Mr. Vance, in the first flush of Demo
cratic ascendency, opens direct fire
upon these loyal barriers, and has at
his back a powerful influence in the
House Of Representatives OF course
this Infamous proposition, the effect OF
which. if legalized, would be to double
our national debt, cannot become law.
A Republican Senate and a loyal Presi-
dent stand IN the way of its enactment.
Still, the animus of Democracy Is seen
in this proposition of the North Carolina
member. His bill reflects the views of
every Southern Democrat, and at least
majority OF those coming from the
North.
1t is safe to say that the control of the
nation by the Democracy would cost the
| Government not less than 81 ,OOO, 900, 900
within the next four years. Among the
claims awaiting the restoration OF the
Democratic party are the following:
Payment for all slave property; for
| damages done to private property by
military operations /; for supplies taken
t by or furnished to the army refundlng
the cotton tax; payment for property,
contraband Of war, seized and confscat-
ed. These are among the leading claims
held in reserve for the restoration of
| Democracy to power. These are among
the claims that would be pressed for
settlement if the bill offered by Mr..
Vance should ever become law.
It is we'll for the loyal element that
still controls the Government to note
the drift of Democracy, and to take
such action as patriotism indicates to
prevent the hunliliating and disastrous
surrender which the Democrats are
| building their hopes upon. The action
| of Mr.. Vance in the House in propos-
ing to break down the barriers which a
loyal Congress had erected for the
protection of the nation j.: the rejection
by strict party OF Mr. Forts just
resolution, giving preference to disabl-
ed Union soldiers in appointments made
by the House; the wholesale dismissal of
wounded heroes from positions they had
long occupied with credit, and the
substitution of ex-Confederate officials,
are such startling indications of the
revolutionary policy to be pursued by
| the Democracy that its encouragement
and support by the American people
will be little short of crime against the
Republic.
We call upon the true friends of the
nation to organize for its defense. Let
Republican clubs be started everywhere
| to keep the people thoroughly posted
on the condition of affairs, and to arouse
them to a sense of duty during the
Presidential campaign. The common
| enemy is vigilant and our friends must
| meet it with equal vigilance. Local
preiudices must be laid aside until the
/ great question of national safety is de-
cided. Good men must band together
! for the common defense. Personal
ambition must bend to the public good.
The skies are bright for a glorious Re
publican victory in 1876. But victory
depends upon activity, lard work, and
upon that laudable spirit of SELF sacrifice
that prompts each patriot to forget self
in his devotion to the country he loves.
| We call upon the Republican press of
the nation to renew its efforts in behalf
of the noble party whose. overthrow
would be death blow to the Union.
Plain words must be spoken; the truth
must be presented the mask must be
torn from Democracy, and the dangers
| following its restoration SO clearly shown
that no patriot of average intelligence
need Ell in forming correct Judgment
as to his duty in the Presidential CAM
paign. Republican journals throughout
the country have struck grand blows
for liberty and justice in the past, but
grander work is still before them. The
Centennial year will be one of inspira-
ton to patriotism let all who love the
| Republic labor to make it one of victory,
Gov T,UDISGroN hos done a very