Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-19
Paid. Received.
' c eve . .'.....'........ $780, g7I

That is, that the States named actually
paid in taxes for pensions during the
year 1887 about S25, 100000 more than
they received on account of payments
made to their own citizens.
Capitalized at per cent, this repre-
sents fund Of $3.50, 100000, which is
the indemnity for the civil war actually
levied on the southern States.
At the close of the war, in 1865, these
States had lost in slaves emancipated,
credits, stocks, and property destroyed
more than $4,000, 000,00O.
Bank, railroad insurance, and corpO-
rate stocks of every kind had been swept
away by the wreck private debts were
rendered worthless; live stock, horses,
cattle, sheep, hogs had been consumed
or used up fences, bitches, farm build
ings and implements were all worn out
or dilapidated, and the accumulations OF
two centuries and a half of civilization
and labor were destroyed, and the peo-
pie of the South only retained the naked
land and their own energy. Comparing
population and accumulated property in
those States with that in France, the
pension indemnity is a heavier war
tribute than that levied on France by
Germany in 1870. No such tribute has
ever been exacted by the conqueror in
war since the time of Alexander. l am
not discussing the justice of the condi-
ton. / am only demonstrating the fact.
Notwithstanding this prodigious drain
on her annual earnings, the South is re-
covering, and the next generation will
see a development of population, wealth,
industry, and social force there unparal-
leled in American annals.
Nv own opinion is that it would have
been broader, wiser craftsmanship to
have assisted this PROSTATE section of our
common country to rise rather than bear
it down under such burden of taxation.
II seems to me that il would be better
for the whole country for the pensions to
be paid by the sections which receive
them by tax on incomes. 1t would be
safer for the pensioners themselves to
have their pensions secured to them by
the contributions of those for whom they
fought, who ought TO be and doubtless
are only too happy to pay whatever is
required for the patriotism which saved
the Union they priced so dearly. 1t is
plain that no country will stand any such
exaction any longer than is necessary ;
and the development and progress Of the
South is so greatly checked and held
down by this great tribute that another
adjustment must shortly take place.
1t must be borne in mind that the sue
cessful side in the civil war perpetrated
two great crimes against property and
public faith which are certain to be
avenged in time. The destruction Of
three thousand millions of private pro-
perty invested in slaves, under the sane
ton of law and the guarantee of the
Constitution, by plebiscite, only shows
the way in which property in railroad
stocks and bonds, or any form of pro
perty which becomes obnoxious, may be
extinguished by a majority vote, and the
forced reputation of the war debts OF
the South made the precedent which is
already bearing bitter fruit to the whole
country. No nation can commit crime
without feeling the consequences of it
in its civilization, its order, and its moral
sense. / am not attacking pensions. [
am in favor of them, and | would feel
myself disgraced if ! failed in every pos.
sible effort to secure pensions to honor
able, brave, and needy Union soldiers
when they want them.
They ought to be paid by the people
they served-paid by the conquered they
become war tribute.
Still further am l from suggesting the
justice or propriety OF Federal pensions
to Confederate soldiers. While l have
strength and health L will oppose any
such proposition. We fought for prin-
ciples, not for pay. We have won the
glory of having been faithful to them in
cold and hunger and nakedness, without
pay or price. What we gave has no
money value. No arithmetic can ever
calculate its pecuniary equivalent. We
gave blood and heart and soul to the
cause we loved so well and lost. We
have submitted without a murmur, and
our free gifts can never be committed
with monthly payments or quarterly al
lowauces.
Still more abhorrent to our feelings
would be the necessary calculation which
estimates the value of patriotism accord
ing to rank. In high sense of duty, in
love OF country and of liberty, in devo-
ton, in courage. in fortitude, and in
sacrifice, there was no difference among
Confederate soldiers. The private in
the ranks was in them the peer of the
general in command. They are all equal
now IN the love and admiration OF their
people, and no one would tolerate a sys-
tenn which made difference in rewards.
Equal in sacrifice, equal in chiyalry,
equal in fidelity, they will be equal in
the respect of generations unborn TO the
last syliabls Of recorded time