Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-11-01
SOUTHERN WAR CLAIMS.
COY. TILDEN .spIKEs THE GUNS OF THE
~ Se.a1e-> .~s~n~~s


ing TO his position in regard TO South
ern claims. He quotes the fourteenth
amendment Of the constitution, points
to the fact that ii has been repeatedly
approved by Democratic State Con-
vcntions of the South, and was adopt
cd as part Of the platform of the last
national Democratic convention which
declared IL universally accepted as q
final settlement, Gov. Tilden says
SIR; | have received your letter in
forming me that Republicans high in
authority are publicly representing
that "the South desire, not without
hope" to obtain payment for losses by
the late war, and 10 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 deserve the notice of either
convention at the time il was held, you
asked me TO state my views in regard
to their recognition by the govern
ment.
Though disposed myself to abide by
the issue as made up already, | have
no hesitation TO comply with your re-
quest.
The fourteenth amendment to the
constitution expressly provides as fol
lows:
The validity Of the public debt of
the United States authorized by law,
including debts incurred for payment
Of pensions and bounties for services in
suppressing insurreetion or rebellion,
shall not be questioned But neither
the United States, nor any State, shall
assume or pay ANY debt or obiigdti0n,in.
Cured in aid Of insurrection or rebel
lion against the United States, or any
claims for the loss or emancipation Of
any stdue, but ALL such debts, obligations
and claims shall be held ILLEGAL AND
VOID.
This amendment has been frequently
approved and agreed to by the Demo
cratic State conventions of the South.
1t was unanimously adopted as part
of the platform of the Democratic Ma.
tional Convention at st. Louis, on the
2sth Of June, and was declared by that
platform to be universally accepted as
a fadl settlement Of the controversies
that engendered civil war;
My own position on this subject had
been previously declared on many oc-
casions, and particularly in my first
annual message of Jan. 8, 1875.
In that document, i stated that the
Southern people were bound by the
18th, 14th and 18th constitutional
amendments; that they had Joined at
national conventions in the nomination
of candidates and in the declaration 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 Union, and that they had, by
the sufirages of all their voters, at the
last national election, completed the
proof that now they only seek to share
with ne, and to MAINTAIN the common
rights of American local self-govern-
ment, in a fraternal union under the
old flag with zone constitution and one
oes',hy; ny a., .a,,,, ,;,,o
The questions settled by the war are
never to be reopened. The adoption
'efthe 18th, l4th and 10th amendments
70 .ae redera, sonslts'0"' oIi,;"a ,'0Svu Ins nd
tbe s end ' forever of the system of human
slavery. and of the struggles that grew
out of that system. These amendments
l. have been conells'vsly -aaopled' y e';.s1 ana
bv tn sll noIi,ieol orgapiSationss and The
people of ali sections. They close the
chapter they are and must be final ;
aIl parties aerea''er .el mus. si aSeep' anu l',.
nolitics % sppr are to turn % upon questions @ of
the present and the future and not up
on those of the settled and past
Should l be elected Presl-
dent. the provisions of the four
's S.s.
eeeh.n "iiehuiii.n,' eo iai "e u,
pends on me, Will be maintained,
executed, and enforced in perfect
ard obsoi,to Good faith No rob.
80 -, So .', :1
el ueot Will oe assunieu Vi paul
no claim Tor the loss or emancl-
patton of any losses or damage
;pcurrad nv d;slovol r,ersons aris-
g., a. ~ - ,rhothor
ing iroiii Tue is'Ve ""i, "he'iioi
covered by the fourteenth amend
ment or not, will be recognized
mr. Maid The cotton tax will not