Mr. POMEROY. I have thought that perhaps there has been no time in the history of the country when a bankrupt law would be so generally sustained as now. During this whole war there has been an imPression and a belief that at its close a bill of this character would be necessary and would be sustained. I know that so far as relates to the States bordering on the rebellion their business men have been destroyed, to a great extent, by raids, by marauding parties taking their goods and destroying their property. This Government cannot reimburse them, whether the damage was done by the Union or the rebel armies. The government cannot make good the illegal acts of its own forces, and never undertakes to repair damages done by the rebel army. If we intend to afford any relief to the men who have been pated, their lands have been desolated be." thus circumstanced, there is no course left to us but to pass a bankrupt law and relieve them in that way if we would have them again enter upon the trades, occupations, and business which they have followed. As to the objection suggested by the Senfrom Ohio, which he thinks will be made by that class of men in the North who trade with the South, I have only to say that I do not believe it will make much difference to them whether this bill becomes a law or not. If 25 years experience of trading with the South has not taught them anything, they will not be apt to learn it in the future. There never has been a time for many years when a man from the North could enforce the collection of a debt there, unless he was of that standing and character which enabled him to have friends and supporters there. I have been associated with men who could not appear in the courts there, men who believed aIs do. There has been no time in 20 years past, or at least within the past ten years, when they could collect a debt there at all. There may be exceptions, but this has been the general rule; and if men F. in selling goods in that direction let them take all the risks. I have no objection to their doing it, but they must take the risks. I noticed that in StLouis as soon as the rebellion closed large quantities of goods were shipped South on short time. During the war they had been selling goods for cash, if they sold at all; but at its close they commenced selling on 30 or 90 days credit, and I happen to know that in very many cases these short bills went to protest and the time was extended and extended, but they are not collected yet. It is only the old experience of 20 years that has been reenacted over again. Sir, I do not think that a bankrupt law of this character will ultimately work any injury to the community at large, though it may for a time to individuals. I shall vote against this amendment because I follow the recommendation of the committee, believing that if they have not matured this bill it cannot be perfected by an individual amendment, especially if it is an amendment that requires the reor ganization of the whole bill. I can see very many reasons why a law of this kind should not be retrospective; but at the same time, coming out of this war as we have done, trying to wipe out what we cannot cure, I am for passing this bill and letting us see its results.