The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-10-27
Governor Tiideu's Letter.
, uF-.Il

Ny. World, Dem.
1t is very clear that Gov. Tilden does
not intend to permit any one to remain
under the impression that taxation by
the Federal Government is to be either
unla wfully or needlessly increased, If he
has power to prevent 1t.
And in assuring his couutrymen OF
this he has called their attention 10 daD-
ger from so called loyal quarter which
has not been GENERALLY suspected.
The Supreme Court OF the United
States has repeatedly decided, in con
formity with the accepted rules of inter
national law, that, against rebels IN IN
surrection, the parent government ba:
both sovereign and belligerent rights;
that all the people in al insurrectionary
district, in time OF civil war, are to be re-
garded as enemies, except so far as the
Government modifes that relation as an
act of clemency; and that no nation, I'M
less as special faver, ever pays for pro-
perty, even OF its own citizens and IN lts
own country, DESTROYED in attacking, or
defending against q common enemy.
Private property of pacific persons is not
to be taken in civil war for mere pur'
poses OF gain, but only for common
public end. Cotton was regarded by the
rebels as one Of their main slnews OF war:
and, therefore, the United States cap
tured it and did not allow it to remain Us
an element of strength to the rebellion.
To make these general propositions OF
l. L. l., ~,
Fourteenth amendment OF the constItu-
ton said, among other things, that
neither the national nor any state gov
eminent "shall assume or pay any debt
or obligation incurred in aid of insurrec-
tion or rebellion against the United
States" Il was generally thought thai
this amendment was broad enough .to
cover the whole field Of public law on
the question Of rebel debts and claims,
but cunning claim agents have raised
) doubts.
A Republican Congress has assisted
these doubts, and elevated the hopes OF
those who have in charge claims tor the
injury or destruction inflicted by the
army of the United States during the
civil war upon prcfsrty owned by rebels
In 1868 such a Congress declared that
loyal citizens, could, under certain de
fined restrictions, receive the proceeds Of
captured cotton sold and placed in the
treasury. In 1871 Republican Con
gress took a more advanced step, and
constituted commission Of three per
sons, with power TO award damage:
against the United States, to the amount
of the value OF stores or supplies taker
OF furnished during the rebellion Tor the
use of the army of the United States" IL
the insurrectlonary districts, provided The
commission be satisfied with the loyalty
of the claimant. Here was another set
of grace and mercy at the expense OF The
taxpayers.
The Republican party, having done al
this. suddenly in the last days OF Z
heated election, and without any mention
of the topic in It's party platform OF reSo
lutions at Cincinnati, charges, through
its reckless leaders, that the Democratic
party, il successful in November, vii
90 on and extend such grace and mercy t
disloyal claimants. In other words that
the loyal element Will be GbliterateC
ed from the Republican Leg
islation Of 1868 and 1871, and that
Governor Tilden, if President
will promote such legislation, and
will not veto it if it passes the
ordeal of a Democratic House and Il Re-
publican Serate.
The calumny has relation to infictin G
more taxation on his already over-bur-
dened countrymen, and il one wishes to
see every ramitcation of 1t stamped out
ut blow, we commend him to read Gov
Tilden's letter IN another column. Claim
agents, of high or low degree, are evil
IDENTITY to have - hard time under the
rule of the next, who will be Democratic
President