Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-15
The Movement 10 secure Payment
for the sinyes.

To the Editor OK the Dlspdlch'
notice an editc -ial comment OF 'hs
oil. now before the Senate OF "hi'h
am patron. TO incorporate the Natie .'I
Adjustment Society, which has Tor us
object the changing OF the Constitution
az the United states 50 as 70 arrow
Congress to pay for the emanclpatfd
slaves. You conclude by saying: II Is
not likely the charter asked Tor VIII DC
granted"
cannot think you really mean TO oppose
in the columns of your valuable paper
measure that would bring so much re-
lief - every man. woman, and child
both black ar white-in the whole South,
whatever you may think OF its chances
OF success have given nearly ten
years study TO this matter and have
been waiting for the opportune time to
place il before the public. In my opinion,
IL has come, and with an organized ef-
fort will succeed. ] can see no reason
why the charter should not be granted.
The claim is by you. and every one else,
admitted TO be just, and should not be
classed along with the effort 10 pension
Confederate soldiers, who rendered no
service 10 the National Government
upon which pension could be based. yet
that would be magnanimOus. Yes, IL
Is right and just that the slaves should
be paid for by the National Govern
ment. They were liberated for the pub
lie good. and there IS no law that
justiiies the taking Of private property
for public purposes without paying for
Il. Might does not make right. and.
however warmly the southern brother
may grasp the hard OF his northern
brother, yet. I'm his cooler moments, when
poverty and wants pincn him, there
comes the recollection Of this injustice.
and who Is IL that does not feel the
sting? III cOn1scated property remain
ing I'm kind has been returned. and all
taken for public use paid for. except the
slaves. The amendment to the Consti-
tuition was NOR for the purpose OF
abolishng slavery forever than providing
against paying FOR them: and we're tho
same measure up for consideration now
provision would be made for compeusa-
ton The increas, OF wealth at t.e
South was IN slaves. ana not I'm bonds
and stocks. The earnings of the master
and slave were either used I'm raising
or buying slaves. creating Joint fund Tor
the benefit OF both I'm old age. What Is
more equitable and Just than 10 divide
this fund between the master and slaves?
None. except the paying FOR them. Eman-
cinatlon deprived both master and
slave OF this fund. and left them penni- /
less. Bankruptcy reigne1. Relatively !
speaking. these two classes are IN the /
same condition now The masters are 4
taxed. not only 10 support the old and /,
infirm. but 10 educate the youth. They |
have stood up manfuiy under this bur !
den against the wealth Of the North. and /
its large accret'ons from PENSIONS but I
the time Is fast coming when this bur |
den cannot be carried; and, II the |
northern people are really I'm earrc /
20 help the negro they viii grasp this
golden opportunity; Il would give them /.
all homes and education. both necessary I
10 independence II would build up the |
Masterpieces Of our devasted South: and. |
last. but not least. blot out the last dis |
agreeable recollection OF the war. II does |
not take n very well informed man 10 I
see that II would settle the currency ques- /
ton by affOriing all the basis desired /
for banking. II would settle the tariff I
by giving protection 10 the rnanufac- /
turer. and furnishing a home market for /
his products II would give the mill I
lionaire something IN which 20 invest His 1
surplus witho' bringing about q panic /
by contracfioH to force an issue OF |
bonds, and n you'd 10 more than any /
other possible Measure 10 bring the white ]
man and the negro together on all /
issues The bill shows only the frame !
work. The above are n few Of the rca- /
sons for the faith that IS IN ne; the mat /
ter viii be fully discussed as we pro-
gress. w. J.. BIBB. |