The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-12-30
PAY FOR THE SLAVES.

People laughed at the proposition
which came from Texas a few
weeks ago to the effect that com
pany had been formed which hat
for its object the bringing of sui
against the United States for the
value of slaves emancipated by
Lincoln's proclamation. 1t was al
legged that Texas, when she came
into the Union, had some contract,
agreement or guarantee from the
nation that the new State should be
protected in all its rights, one of
which was slavery. It is hardly
probable that such a suit will
be brought, and If one were
instituted the termination could
only be adverse to the plaintiffs. The
questions of right or law cannot be
brought into the case. They were
decided, if not adjusted, by shot and
shell twenty years ago, and the de-
cision then made, right or wrong,
legal or unlawful, will stand while
the Union lasts.
A Georgian comes to the front
now, and in the Atlanta Constitu,
ton presents a claim for the pays
ment of slaves; but he does not as
sumo that the money can be col
lected by law. While he shows his
belief N the equities of the appeal,
he is wise enough to understand
how only a high sense Of national
or, rather, of northern honor, can
accomplish anything. In bis plea
he says:
To bring about true reconciliation there
must be just restitution. The Ceople OF
the north have been the benefciaries of
eur misfortune. They prospered and
grew opulent VIII le we went down amid
unparalleled bankruptcy. Theh if the
north desire and would have true recon-
ciliation, let them consent to reasonable
indemnity for our slave property, un-
Justly taken from US by force, and the |
payment of the cetton tax unlawfull7 |
levied upon our people. The north has
ever held that the southern States were
not seeded States, but were merely in q |
state Of rebellion, and that the war was |
Wsged for the restoration Of the Union,
and that alone. The Union, with or |
without slavery, was the position of the |
north, as promulgated by Mr.. Lincoln |
in the Hampton Roads interview, aid as |
often proclaimed in the halls of the |
Federal Congress during the war. The |
Union and not slavery was, By the utter |
ances and professions of the north, |
made the paramount issue of the war.
How then can the North justify the TAX
ing away OF our slaves, which were our |
property, without compensation? They |
permitted US to keep our lands and other |
property; why then take away our slave |
property without just compensation? |
may, justice and true reconciliation re- |
quire and demand just restitution.
1t seems to me most oppor.une time,
for the Government treasury is in most |
healthy, plethoric condition. Let the res
titution be made, and Their reconciliation,
true and genuine, will bs speedy and |
complete.
Whatever may be said to the con-
trary by the SUPERFICIAL people,
there is reason in this mans appeal
and sound judgment, as well as JUS
tice in his argument. We do not
believe the South will ever be paid
for its freed "chattels." It seems
to be regarded that the action
of the Confederacy in making
war upon the Union barred it from
many of its rights, one of which
was pay for property of which it
was deprived. at the same time,
there are equities in the case, and
were it not for the weak prejudices
existing they would be considered.