By overthrowing the rebellion, the taxes to pay the national debt will
be collected from all the States, instead of being confined to those
that are loyal. The rebel Confederate debt, never having had any
existence in law or justice, but having been created only to support a
wicked rebellion, will of course be expunged by the reestablishment of
the Union. All the rebel States' debt incurred since the revolt, for the
purpose of overthrowing the Government, will, of course, have no legal
existence. Under the Federal Constitution, no State Legislature can have
any lawful existence, except in conformity with its provisions,
accompanied by a prior oath of every member to support the Constitution
of the United States. These assemblages, then, since the revolt in the
several States, calling themselves State Legislatures, never had any
legal existence or authority, and were mere assemblages of traitors.
Such is the clear provision of the Federal Constitution, and of the law
of nations and of justice. It would be strange, indeed, if conventicles
of traitors in revolted States could legally or rightfully impose taxes
on the people of such States, loyal or disloyal, to overthrow the
Government. Indeed, if justice could have her full sway, the whole debt
of this Government, incurred to suppress this rebellion, ought to be
paid by the traitors alone.
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