Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-10-27
SPnLIATInN CLAIMS.

The house OF representatives is GOA
trolled by Southern Democrats, and
they are apparently incapable of
prompt and business like action,
even on the most important matters.
The French spoliation claims would
have been paid months ago had it
not been for tue dog in the manger
tactics of some of the Democrats in
Congress. They gained a victory in
their effort to postpone the payment
of the claims, but it is a victory,
however, at which all persons who
value national honor and honesty
will grieye. These claims have been
held against the government, since
the early years of the century.
They grew out of the capture and
destruction by French cruisers dur
ing the days Of the Directory in
France at the close of the last cen.
fury. of ships and other property
owned by Americans. France,
which during that period was en-
gagged in fighting combined Europe,
seized property when entering the
port of its enemy even though this
property was in vessels belonging
to countries with which France was
at peace. This conduct was not in
accordance with the international
law, but was resorted to, neverthe.
less, by all the combatants at that
time.
At the temporary collapse OF the
European coalition against France,
the United States pressed the claims
of its citizens against that country.
France also had claim against the
United States. In the alliance be-
tween the American colonies and
France, in IT'S, during our war for
independence, the colonies agreed
to allow France favors in our ports
which would not be conferred on
any other nation. This country had
not faithfully observed the compact.
The failure to do SO was recognized
as a fair Offset to the claims which
our government had brought against
France. That country relinquished
its rights under the treaty against
US, and the United States assumed
the payment of the claims of its citi.
zens against France.
Forty-fonr different committees OF
Congress in the past eighty years
have reported in favor of the pay.
ment by the government of the
French spoliatlon claims. James
Madison, Chief Justice Marshall,
Edward Livingston, Henry Clay,
Daniel Webster, Caleb Cushing,
Edward Everett, Rufus Choate.
Chas. Sumner, and many others oil
the most eminent statesmen and
jurists OF the country have pleaded
for the payment of these dues. The
United States Court of Claims three
years ago. by the unanimous judg
ment of its members, declared that
this was just debt, which the gov
eminent was in honor bound to pay
And yet the Democrats of the house
committee on appropriations have
reported against the sum set apart
to pay such of the claims as have
been established By the Court.
All of the original claimants have
long been dead. Three generations
have appeared upon the scene since
this question first came before Con
gress. The opponents Of the claims
now desire to have the whole matter
sent to the Supreme Court, thus de
ferring for many years more the
final settlement. This is not a par
ty question:, but the foes Of the prop
osition to pay the claimants how
ever, are Democrats. 1t is the con.
stitutional Inability Of the Democra
cy to take abroad, liberal and honor
able view of any public question
that the country is to day presented
with the disgraceful spectacle of the
refusal by the government to pay a
Trivial debt which it has owed to its
citizens for three-quarters of cen.
fury, when its vaults are filed with
money for which it has no legiti-
mate uSp