The National tribune., 1879-06-01
The Two Creditors.


to perform certain work, and that work is begun
carried on and completed by the employees and
then payment is refused any court of equity in the
United States will decree that John Brown, being
the party specially benefited by the labor shall be
compelled to pay therefor. Now when the war of
the rebellion broke out the United States sent out
its agents in the shape of Colonels Majors and
Captains, to every part of the land to raise for it
regiments battalions, and companies, to fight its
battles. There no compulson to go into the
field; the act of enlistment voluntary it was
a contract made between the agents of the United
States and certain men to fight We challenge any
contradiction to this proposition. These men hired
by Colonel Black Major White and Captain Green
were promised certain monthly pay, rations, cloth
ing, medical attendance with such bounty, and, if
disabled, such pension If they were killed in the
service then those dependent upon them We're to be
cared for by the Government There was scarcely
flaming handbill issued and publicly posted which
did not contain these promises. How have they
been fulfilled Weadmt fully according to contract
except as to pension and bounty AS to these how
does the case stand Although in the latter part of
the war bounties were LIBERAL all are aware that
many soldiers, particularly in 1862 never received
one cent of bounty. Now, if the United States was
an individual and not nation here are debts which
could be recovered by law, and the New York Post
Office might pass under the hammer of the sheriff
But this cannot be done She is debtor who can
not be touched. She is in the position of an infant
who can accept deed of property, but cannot be
compelled to pay debt Well, about the same tme
these soldier obligations We're entered into other
pecunary engagements We're made. The United
States issued promises to pay in the shape of bonds
and greenbacks" The former were sold in Europe
and at home and the latter were used chiefly to
carry on the war. The greenbacks issued speedily
found their way to great extent into the hands of
foreign bankers and spectators, who obtained them
for probably not sixty cents on the dollar gold
valuation, and speedily converted them into interest
bearing bonds. Now, when the was concluded
the question was discussed in Congress and by the
press all over the country !" How are these bonds
payable?n Justice and equity combined would sug-
gest their payment in the kind of money paid for
them, but the bankers and brokers and capitalists
throughout the land demanded gold Congress
finally said, gold let it be- and then commenced
the boarding of the metal in the Treasury vaults,
the absorption of currency and the reduction Of val
ues for property and labor. Such has been the ac-
tion of the Congress of the United States toward
one class Of her creditors Turn we to the other.
The promises made to the bondholders were on
printed pieces of banknote paper, those to the sol
diers in the Statutes of the United States and on
the handbills of recruiting officers Is the payment
of one any more just than the other? Are soe more
honorabIy and sacredly bound to pay note Of hand
giuen to party, than to pay for Cages at aoork the
4
WRONG constantly committed against our soldiers is,
I in regarding them OF ALTOGETHER SECONDARY
IMPORTANCE If there is any money left over, why
perhaps they may secure part of it. Instead of
considering their claims FIRST, they the LAST to
receive attention. 1t really is matter to create in
dignaton, when we hear that Mr.. Secretary of the
Treasury thinks he only spare so many
thousands per month to meet the arrears payments.