Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-02
Mr.. Blaine at Rochester

ROCHESTER, Oct. 30.-The republican mass
| meeting in this city to day was an overwhelming
success. 1t was well nigh mpromptu, and sur
passed all expectations. The city has been filled
with people day and night. Fully 10000 sirau-
gers have been present. Mr.. Blaine was received
this afternoon and evening with the most enthu,i
astic demonstrations of favor. lie spoke at the
meeting at Washington Hall thi. afternoon, and
among other things said
do not accuse Mr.. Tilden of insncerity in his
letter on Southern war claims still less would
intimate that he uses language after the Taleyrand
model "to conceal his ideas" But | do maintain
| that, according to the phraseology of Mr. Tiden's
letter, he does not exclude that class of claims
from which the whole danger is to be feared in
the future. MIR. Tilden expends needless ammu-
uition on two classes of claims whose payment is
expressly forbidden by the Fourteenth amend
ment by the language of that amendment the
payment of any debt or obligation incurred in
AID of the rebellion is prohibited. Had the amend
ment gone one step further and forbidden the pay
ment OF any war losses suffered by disloyal per-
sons the dangerous door would be closed but I'M
happily the amendment does1not 20 to that extent
and a distinction between losses "ncurred" and
losses suffered IS kept up. In his letter Mr.
1ilden uses the word incurred" with evident
care and precision, and does not include within
the scope of his prospective and promi'ed vetoes
losses suffered" and whether he talks of losses
inside or outside the Fourteenth Amendment he
carefully speaks of them as losses incurred"
Now | think Mr.. Tilden had sharp eve on the
dictionary, and the difference between incurred"
and Suffered" is the difference between "agent"
and "victm," between losses brought on ones
self and losses inflicted by another. That a vital
distinction exists just here is evident from the
fact that Mr.. Riddle, member eff Congress from
Tennessee, and author of the famous Riddle bill,
telegraphed Mr.. Hewitt that he cordially indorses
Mr.. Tilden's letter; but Mr.. Riddle does not in
innate that he abates one ot or title of the pro-
visions Of his bill, and that bill provides reasona-
bic compensation to all citizens of the United
states for use or occupation Of their property by
the United States army or any part thereof during
the late civil war. This bill would take hundreds
of millions of dollars from the United States
Treasury, and evidently its author does not consid-
er Mr.. Tildens letter in the least degree CON
hictins with lis passage or executive approval. |
do not think Northern people can Congratulate
themselves on any view of Southern war claims
that is emnently satisfactory to Mr.. Riddle of
Tennessee as Mr.. Tidens letter seems to prove.
This evenining the city is all ablaze with fire.
works and Nominations. Mr. Blaine spoke to an
immense audience in front of the Court house
this evening. Oiher speakers to-day were ex-
Gov Gibson, the Hon. Horace Bemis, and the
Hon. s. 5. Rogers. The republicans are jubilant
over the success Of the demonstration.