The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-07-18
REBEL CLAIMS.


In letter as late as Oct. 81, 1873, but
published, we believe, in 1875, r. M. T..
Hunter, of Virginia, United States
Senator from that State prior to the re-
belllon. and now, as then, great man
in the Confederacy, Celebrates plan
by which the old STAKEHOLDER may evade
the prohibitory clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment respecting indemnity for
slaves liberated by the war. Hunters
sagacity is only equaled by his loyalty.
The Fourteenth amendment abolishes
an constitution of the Confederacy.
1t expels the last vestige of slavery from
It's soil and prohibits all compensation
for slaves freed by the war. But the
astute Hunter discovers that the pro.
hibitory clause is unconstitutional, and
therefore nugatory. The slaves were
private property; their forcible emanci-
patton was in the nature of Selling that
property for public use without compen-
sation; that the claim is in the individ-
ual owner; that the States, in the ratifi-
cation of the Fourteenth amendment
had no power or right to divert it, and
that consequently the owners of that
property under the constitution have
valid or bona fde claims for reasonable
compensation, to wit, $500, 100000.
But discovery so sagacious was not
original with the astute Hunter. AS
early as 1867, in the Maryland Consti-
tutional Convention, he was anticipated
by the equally sapient conventionists.
They formally asserted the claim under
the constitution. They authorized the
Legislature of Maryland to receive and
dispose of the amounts due to their old
slaveholding citizens when paid by the
United States, and VIGOROUSLY, in that
as in other of the old slaveholding
States, lists of the slaves emancipated
have been prepared, and the claims Gov
ering their value only await for their
payment the harvest of wholesale plum
der when the Democracy shall pass into
power.
But in Missouri the climax of rapacity
in proposed plumber has been reached.
It is, however, only preliminary-only
precedent-fo further wholesale or
general spoliation. In Missouri, State
commission has investigated and official
certificates have been yarded to all
claimants for compensation for losses in
Cured or supplies taken by the rebel
forces which overran it's territory, and
these certificates, as the claims for in
demnity for slaves, only await the sue
cess of the Democracy to be promptly
honored by the Government
Indeed, as precedents for their pay
ment, two bills, in the Forty-fourth
Congress, were introduced by Messrs
Knott, of Kentucky, and House, of Ten
nessee, appropriating small amounts for
property and supplies seized by the
rebel forces, and if they are passed or
recognized by Congress, and should the
nation be again inflicted with Demo-
cratic administration, Missouri and every
State South will realize the prodigious
amounts these claims will involve.
What amount these Missouri claims
have reached we do not know, but the
known aggregate so far of rebel claims
actually presented or demanded is real
ly appalling Already it equals So, $685.
554, 827, to wit
Refunding direct tax of 1861. $2,492, ITO
R. funding cotton tax, principal and
interest 49,. ......:............. 17O,!sO, 900
Special relief bills Forty-fourth Con-
Sress) Observation-Disclosures. z, ,49t
Use and destruction of property, and
supplies destroyed or used by Union
forces in the Confederate States Al O. 1876 coo
Compensation tor slaves ............. 400,0000O0
Payment of rebel mail-contractors up
to July /, 1861 ,..................... $4,000
Total. 50 9s5 .554 827
In round numbers, So, 700, 900, 900! A
prodigious sum, and still increasing
Where will it end?
The insolence which demands the
liquidation of such sum, Or of any sum
for such purposes by the nation, or any
portion OF our loyal communities-which
proposes an assessment by the con-
quered but ullregenerate rebel upon the
industry, property or means OF the loyal
victor, involving absolutely the sack Or
pillage Of the loyal States, and of all
ranks and classes-of Democrats as we'll
as Republicans-has truly no parallel
in the history OF civilized nations. It is
the elimination of rebel audacity,
wrought in rebel contempt and hatred
of the nation and it's laws, and the usages
and laws of civilized man! Conquered
and thwarted in the field in their design
to overthrow and destroy the nation,
and to wipe out freedom and free insti-
buttons by the establishment Of an oil
garchy with 'slavery as it's corner
stone;" but undismayed and encouraged
by the support and applause of their
Northern Democratic alies-all equally
haters of freedom and the Government
they have declared that loyalty shall be
crushed-degraded; that loyalty shall
redeem it's conquest of the Confederacy
aud slavery by the amplest tribute to
treason Ay, that the Confederate shall
be king Will the nation submit p
The NeaO Republic. ~ 4
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