Mr. Stone for property ‘which was taken by this Government within the rebel lines, in a country which was disnted between our forces an the rebel forces. at by the rules which have been laid down by this Congress it has been determined that all this property, no matter by whom owned, whether by rebels or loyal persons, was the property of public enemies, and liable to seiz ure and confiscation. And in respect to that property, as I took occasion once before to assert on this floor, under the principles which have been alleged here, General lgoy Stone himself was a public enemy. I have nothing to say in derogation of the patriotism or ability of General Stone. I be 'eve that his claim isa just one, and that it ought to be paid by this Government. And I believe there are other claims just as much entitled to consideration on the part of this Government. Loyalty is the same in Tennessee as in Pennsylvania: it is devotion to the flag of the country, to the Union, to the constitution, and to the laws. Wherever that devotion exists, and wherever it man is faithful to his flag and his country, there Ihold that the shield of the Government is over him; and you have no right to confiscate his property, whether it is situated within the lines of the rebellion or not. Now, I know of cases of loyal men in Tennessee who have lost everything, who have been stripped of every dollar’s worth of their property, whose houses have been burned down over their heads, and whose families have been driven into the forest. Yet they have come to this Congress for reparation and redress, asserting their loyalty; and we are told by the ComClaims that, in consequence of the action of this House, they have no power to relieve. It is said here that this case is an exception to that rule; that because the claimant is a citizen of Pennsylvania, therefore he does not come within the rule which alludes to citizens of the rebel States. But I would ask, is not the principle the same? Is it not payment for property seized within the lines of rebeldom? I can see no difference whatever in the principle. I do hope that the time may come when all these juste aims, preferred by loyal and true men, may be recognized and adjudicated by this Government. But until that time shall come I will not insult the loyal men of the South by voting for such partial legislation as this. Fi Here the hammer fell.].