National Republican., 1876-11-06
SOUTHERN CLANS,


within the category of 'those whom the
gods would destroy they first made mad"
He writes too many letters. His Southern
claims letter appears to have done the bust
ness for him in the Southern States. Its
doctrines are there fatty repudisted by all
candid Southern Democrats. Those who,
like Governor Porter, of Tennessee, are
willing to stultify themselves for the pur-
pose of attaining power tacitly approve
them now with the intention of repudiat-
ing them when they have gained the as
cendancy which they seek. Gov. Porter
not long since opposed the payment to the
United States the amount due from the
Tennessee railways for materials purchased
of the Government just after the war, be-
cause those companies, he contended, had
good offset in claims against the United
States for damages done the railway prop.
erty during the war. He also insisted that
Congress should make all these damages
good. Now, however, Governor Porter
responds to the sentiments of Gov
ernor Tilden's letter regarding the pay
ment of Southern claims as if he
were in full sympathy and accord with
its professions. We have no doubt that he
is quite as sincere in this matter as is Gov.
Tilden. With them both any means are
justified by the end sought to be gained.
Tilden is the friend of railways, (for fees,)
and 60 are Porter and Hendricks and Pen
dleton. No matter what they may say
now, they will all 60 for the interests of
any monopoly that will pay them when
they once gain the power.
But to return to this letter writing bust
ness. Mr.. Tilden should have remembered
the fate of Henry Clay and Gen. Scott, and
kept silent. Some of these Southern hot
heads of the frank, outspoken kind do not
understand the Jesuitism of Porter and
Tilden. and are just throwing all their
"fat in the fire." As specimen, take the
following from ex-Congressman Sloss'
paper-the Tuscumbia (Ala.) Times.
'1t is a matter of surprise to see Southern
politicians and Democrats of the North asser.-
ing that if Tilden and Hendricks are not
elected the just claims due Southern people
iuiH not be paid. We are disguised with such
moral cowardice as will lead those who should
feather before the bloody shirt banner OF
those who would rob the people of the South
of their just and legal claims. We have al
ways believed, insisted, that claims for private
property taken from our people during the
war, and used by the Federal army or sold,
and the proceeds carried into the United
States Treasury, should be paid, and we are
satisfied that when the prejudice and bitter
ness cease to control our rulers and legislators,
every one of these claims will be paid. While
q member of Congress we voted to allow the
claims of loyal citizens of the South for every
cent of the value of property taken from
them by the Federal army. We also
and buildings belonging to charitable
associations which were wantonly de-
stroyed by the Federal army. In thus voting
We thought We were advocating what was
just, fair aud in strict accordance with estsb-
hshed principle, believing that private prop
erty cannot in any case be taken and used by
the public or by the Government without being
paid for, and we shall continue to insist that
not only should the claims of loyal citizens
against the Government, for property taken or
destroyed during the war by the Federal army,
be paid, but that In every case where private
property was taken and used by or for the
benefit Of the Government 1t should be paid
for. 1t is high time that our people should in
sist upon simple Justice being done them, at
least by those they send to Congress to attend
to their interests, and that no backing down
from a determination to assert and insist upon
our legal or equitable rights should be per-
mitted. Let the candidates for Congress be
interrogated as to their intentions as to such
claims, and if either one is not in favor of de-
manding and working for our rights, let US
vote for those who will" ~ -
Mr.. Sloss is candid in what he says.
There is no mistaking his meaning He
thinks the people of the North should be
taxed for the destruction occasioned in put
ting down the rebellion. That is the plain
English of his doctrine. Garry his views
out TO their logical sequence and we shall
be taxed to pay for the slaves emancipated
as well. Gov. Vance says that the amend
ments, having been passed under duress,
are of no effect and should be annulled or
set aside by the Supreme Court. IfTilden
should be elected, with Congress to match
the'sentiments of the ''solid South" he
would be moulded at their will as is clay
by the potter.
The Memphis AUalanchs Significantly
assures its readers Of the genuineness of
Tllden's letter, as follows ....
"The letter of Samuel j. Tilden to Mr..
Hewitt, chairman OF the National Democratic
Committee Tin regard to Southern clsims,)
and which the Avalanche published yesterday,
is genuine letter, and has appeared In the
Democratic organs of the West and East.
We make this statement because the question
has been asked us in regard to the suthen-
ITCHY of the letter."