Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1876-10-31
THE LAST

WI predicted, a few days ago, that
the ISLANDERS against Mr.. Tilden and
the bloody shirt would, in a great
measure, Ia dropped Ivy the Republi-
can press, or merely be used as Incl
dents tn vary the mouotony Of the
principal scare-howl at the termina
ton Of the campaign, which would he
the payment of rebel claims, and the
present one of our Republican ex-
changes fully Justify u predictions.
In the first instance they undertook to
Brighten the people by asserting that il
the Democrats were to come into power
they would pay tho rebel debt that is,
the obligations incurred by the late
Confederate Government during the
war; but when the utter absurdity of
the proposition was shown up they
made a flank movement, and now AS
sert that it was not the debts contracted
in aid OF the rebellion to which they
referred, but claims made and to be
made against the Government for sup
plies taken and injuries done by the
Union armies in the South; and the
rampant and persistent ann in
which the charges are made has, per-
haps, led some to suppose that there is
really some substance In them and
that there may be actual danger in that
direction.
Under the laws of war and universal
usages Of nations, no enemy in rebel
lion against . Government can have a
valid claim against that Government
for property taken OF injured by it.
The right Of a Government to inflict
injury upon the enemy in war, by
capturing or destroying property, is
too we'll understood to be questioned
by any person of ordinary intelligence.
In our case there is the additional pro.
lection OF constitutional provisions
prohibiting the payment of any rebel
claims. The only claims, therefore,
which can be paid, are the claims of
Union men. That there is a large
amount Of such claims is true, and it is
but fair to suppose that some OF them
may be legitimate and just while many
more may be trumped up illegitimate.
The only question pertaining to them
which can be rightfully considered in
determining political action, is whether
the Democratic party would be more
likely to allow and pay the unjust and
illegitimate portion Of them than the
Republicans would be. Is it reasona-
BILE to presume that Southern men who
were in the rebellion have become so
reconciled and enamored with South
ern Union men that they would be
moro willing to pay them for supplies
furnished to or injuries done by Union
armies than Republicans would be i?
The natural presumption is the ether
way; that tho rebels would be less
willing to tax themselves for the remu-
neration Of people of their W Sec
ton for aiding in their defeat and over.
throw than the Republicans would be.
Why should Northern Democrats he
any more inclined to pay unjust claims
OF Southern Union men than Republi.
cansf Is money any more plenty with
them or the burdens of unjust and un-
necessary taxation o easily borne!
Are Northern Democrats more grateful
to Southern Union men for refusing to
be drawn into the whirlpool OF seces-
sion than Republicans are, and more
willing to reward them by wrongfully
paying illegitimats demands?
The truth is. the only danger Of the
payment OF unjust claims of this char
acter Is In slecting men to Congress
who would not scrupls to make them
selves "useful" to the claimants by al
lowing their claims and then sharing
in the plumber, after the style of the
Spencer rife contract, Credit Mobilier
and other swindling operations which
were passed by Republican Congresses.
Elect mons but honest men to Office and
there will be no danger of the payment
Of dishonest claims or OF saddling the
people with unnecessary taxes. The
danger of the payment Of "rebel"
claims is averted by the Constitution,
with the additional guarantee of the
pledges contained in Mr.. Tilden's re
cent letter upon the subject, in which he
asserts In unmistakable language his
unalterable opposition to the payment
Of any claims ofthst character, and the
payment of fraudulent claims of Union
men will be prevented by the election
Of Mr.. Tilden, whose reputation as the
pncompromising enemy OF all species
OF corruption insures his executive
veto upon all bills not strictly in 40
cordancs with the principleso OF honesty
and justice.
TRADE DOLLARS are selling In Viz
GINA for 92H, Notwithstanding The