Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-09-18
Highly Important Letters.


The Mason News contains two highly
important letters on political subjects.
One is from
DANIEL CAMPBELL,
long citizen of Ingham county, always
heretofore a Democrat, and last spring
their candidate for alderman of the
First ward of Mason. He delivered the
address on Decoration day in 1879, and
was one of the speakers on the same Oc-
casion in 1880. He has also lectured in
various parts of the state, being a man
Of culture, of broad and liberal views,
and very effective speaker. He believes
the issue in the coming election Is to be
squarely between those who in our past
history have proved themselves the truest
friends of the government, and those
who have been its deadliest foes. The
idea is inculcated in southern schools of
learning, andlfnds current expression
In the southern press, that this country
will never be properly governed until
southern craftsmanship shall again bear
sway. and bring back the government to
the method of former days. Although
Hancock Is an honorable soldier, yet
every American citizen must bear in
mind that he is casting his ballot for the
principles of the party which he repre-
sents and not for the candidate alone.
Mr.. Campbell concludes that the only
safety for our government in The future
is to have it guided and controlled by
that party which has stood 80 manfully
during the great conflict imposed on US
by the southern faction, and gained a
victory, that party under whose manage
hn of ofr NS nrIp haln nfpxy
seem now to be upon the high road to
within the ranks of the Republican
it shall be found cOntending for the
right and keeping step with the music
of the Union.
The Grand Rapids Democrat having
reviewed the speech of
SENATOR EDMUNDS
of Vermont, in reference to the danger
lions of dollars in case of HancOck's
election, and having used bitter langu-
age toward the senator. the editor of the
Ingham County News wrote letter to
senator Edmunds on the subject. The
4th section of the 14th amendment to the
constitution was set up by the DEM
ocrat as interpOsing an insuperable bar
rier to the payment of rebel claims, but
the senator's letter brushes away that
pretensiOn. 1t exposes the greed and
audacity of the cOnfederates in strong
cOlOrs.
We copy the letter in full, and cOmpli-
ment Mr.. Tefft on his enterprise in bring
ing forward, in one issue of his paper,
two such important documents as those
of Mr.. Campbell and Senator Edmunds:
BURLINGTON, W., Aug. 80, 1880.
To V. j. Tefft Esq, Mason, Mich:
Dear Sir,-Yours Of the 18th came Just as
was going out Of town. fear the editor of
the Grand Rapids Democrat is not very hun
cry to find out exactly what the 4th section
Of the 14th amendment covers in point of law.
The rebel claims referred to are not claims
of rebels for aiding the rebellion but for
property, amounting altogether to hundreds,
and probably thousands of millions, taken or
destroyed by armies Of the United States, and
therefore the moment the test Of loyalty Of any
claimant Is repealed, the claim OF the rebel
stands exactly like the claim of any other citi-
zen against the government on account of the
action Of the rebel authority.
The Democrats in congress have tried time
after time to repeal this distinction i'm respect
OF claims Of loyal and disloyal persons, and
they have bills now pending in the senate to
effect that object and they will effect it by a
solid Democratic vote the moment they get
possession Of all the departments of the gov
eminent.
As to rebel PENSIONS the editor of the Dem
ocrat, If he viii reflect little, will, I am sure,
agree that pension doss not in any case fall
within the description of 'any debt or obliga-
tiOn," and il so, it is not within the prohibition
Of the 18th amendment. A pension is and al
ways has been granted upon the ground of
bounty or gratitude, and not of legal obliga-
ton. 1t is perfectly clear, therefore, that the
constitution does not stand in the way of con-
gress pensi0ning every rebel soldier or soldiers
widow and children, or indeed every other
rebel il it pleases.
Twill not reciprocate the epithets of this
worthy editor. Very truly yours,
GEO. F. EDMUNDS.