The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-08-08
REBEL WAR CLAIMS.

REBEL WAR CLAIMS.
The Radical 'Scarecrow Exposed
In his great speech at South Bend,
Ind, on the 9th ult.. Senator Voor-
hees briefly alluded to the subject of
the Rebel War Claims which so much
frighten Radical politicians and con-
stitute 30 large . share of the stock in
trade Of that party. He showed the
utter hypocricy Of the leaders Of that
party who are trying to derive party
advantage by Frightening the people
with this bugaboo. He said:
But It is charged by our opponents
that the public Treasury. is in immi-
nent danger Of bankruptcy from the
allo owance by Congress of what are
deuominated rebel war claims. A Vi
olent scare has been attempted on this
subject. some who are honest but ig-
uorant have lent themselves to this
delusion, aud others who know better
have done the same. have recently
observed that it Is nearly the entire
stock IN trade of Repubiican candi-
dates ia their opening speeches Of the
present canvass. am bound 10 be-
lieve that such gentlemen are entirely
ignorant Of the Constitution Of their
country. 1t is more respectful to
them to assume that they have not
read the provisions of that great in
strument than to suppose that they
wiIfully misrepresent II for political
ends. How is it possible for the Con-
gress of the United States to pay a
single dollar for loss Of any kind in
CURED in aid Of the rebelliOn7 Sec
ton of the Fourteenth Amendment
TO the Constitution reads as follows:
"The validity of the public debt of
the United States, authorized by law,
intending debts lncnrred for pay vment
of pensions and bounties for servicesin
suppressing insurrection or rebellion
ehail not he questioned. Bnt neither the
United States nor any State shall as
sume or pay any debt or obligation in-
CURED in aid Of insurrection or rebel
lion against the United States, or any
claim for loss or emancipation of any
slave; but all such debts, obligations
and claims shall be held illegal and
void" -5a
By the express terms of this section
not only the Federal Government but
each individual State ia prohibited fn
the strongest language from assuming
or paying any claim Of any description
growing out of assistance to the rebel
liou. The first step required in pre-
senting claim before any department
of the Government is to make proof OF
the claimants loyalty during the war
What kind Of claims, therefore are
left for recognition and payment
Simply those of Union men whose
property was taken or destroyed by
one or the other of the contending ar.
mics. This fact is well known BY
j those who are loudest in their clamol
on the subject Of rebel claims. They
know that every one of them 10 barred
by the plalnest and most powerfu
terms of the Constitutions. And an
told that this provision Of the Consti
tuition is in danger of being snnulled
that another amendment is likely te
take it's place providing for the pay
meut Of said clsims7 Let us see wha
would have to be done to accomplish
an undertaking Of that character. Ii
article 9Th, the Constitution provide
for its own amendment in the follow
ing terms:
The Congress, whenever two
thirds OF both houses shall deem it nee
essary, shall propose amendments t
this Constitution, or, on the application
OF the Legislatnres OF twO-thirds O
the several States. shall call q COnven
ton for proposing amendments. " whicl
in either case, shall be valid, to all in
tents and purposes as q, part OF thi
consultation, when ratified by thl
Legislatures OF three-f0urths of tn
several States, or by Conventions Q
three-fourths thereof as one or tn
other mode may be proposed by Con
gress." a.
Here 1t will be seen that before q
amendment can eyea be proposed
: this sacred instrument two-thirds. G
; both Houses Of Congress, or the Leg
! islatures of two-thirds of the State
. shall agree in the movement; an
: when such amendment has been thu
. proposed it can only become part
|. the Constitution by the concurrence I
Q the Legislatures or Conventions I
Q three -fourths of the States. Do yo
D fear such popular enthusiasm and ul
a heayal of public sentiment in favor I
n paying rebel war claims, or claims fl
t emancipated slaves, as will carr
z twenty mine States out of the thir
9 eight in favor of ratifying an amen'
= ment to that effect? Do you thin
d there is high probability of obtai
r ing two-thirds of both branches
d Congress for such measure? Ifthel
: is man in Indiana who secretly o
's tertains fears on this subject he is
ls fit subject for pity and commiseratio
d But it is urged that even admitti'
70 such claims can not be allowed, y
- members of Congress from the Son'
% have introduced claims for the pa
y ment of them In enormous amount
y As the readiest answer 10 this char
y will read what DR.. Redfield, 4
well.known Republican c0rrespon
ent Of the Cincinnati Commerci
wrote few days ago on that subiet