The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-09-18
The Peril.

The rebel claims now before Con-
gress aggregate about 5000, 900, 900.
These are of q character not barred
BY the Constitutional amendments,
and are subject to the action of Con-
gress, without appeal to any other
tribunal.
The Inter Ocean ventures the pre-
diction that the advent Of a Demo
cratic majority in both houses OF
Congress will signalize the opening
of legislation which will result in the
payment of these claims. And when
once the gate is opened the amount
named will prove but the beginning
of the food. Then will come the ag-
gregation for the Paymen. of slaves,
the ~pensioning of rebel soldiers, etc,
etc, until our wi debt will be lost
sight of in the magnitude of this raid
upon the public treasury.
Dc our readers appreciate the dan
gers of this movement? 1t is not q
secret by any means, though frank
avowals Of the design are suppressed
by the leaders of the Democratic par
ty IS far as possible. They cannot
prevent the less discreet members of
their party from speaking out, how
ever, and SO we have from numerous
Southern sources the open confession
that this is to be the object CT their
political ascendency, and that icon
ciliation can only come through the
recognition of their claims by the
North
We do not believe, by any means,
that every Democratic member of
Congress will support such q raid.
Neither are We sure thai every Re-
publican viii stand Grm in the midst
Of temptation in opposition to such
claims. Bot, as a rule, we can de-
pend upon the latter to vote steadily
and persistently against the scheme,
while, unfortunately, the former, ow-
ing to party association and the ne
cessity of harmony" a not be
counted On to resist the majority of
their own party associates. The op-
ening will DO Insignificant some min
or claim will be denominated just,
the claimant loyal, and the amount
demanded will be small. This sus
cessful, the precedent established, aud
the work will begin in earnest. AID
it is not alone from party discipline
that we may fear danger. Think of
a 5000, 600, 900 claim before Congress,
and the opportunities given for cor
ruption in the handling of such q stu
pendous sum. 1t is q scheme TO be
watched and guarded against on sve-
nv side. We advise the people Of
every Congressional district toput the
question Of supporting or opposing
such claims ~sfuarely to ell OF their
candidates, and exact the most posi-
tive pledges from them on this very
"Do you promise TO act and vote
throughout your term against the
payment Of any Southern claim grow
ing out of the war now barred by the
This question, or its substance,
should be addressed TO every esndl-
date Of whatever party, aud apositiss
answer required.
The South has every thing to light
for 10 this Congressional contest.
Success means, at least, the Temporal
~ realization of her peculiar notions
about State sovereignty her triumph
the colored race, and the sub
staniisl abrogation of the Cons,ltu-
amendments; and, iually, her
at the expense of the
whom she plots to divide by
other issues that she NAV the more
exact the tribute she seeks.
The North, confident, easy, prone to
Independent; thought, and, consequent
y, only united By immediate and ap-