Southern telegraph., 1837-04-18


For the Southern Telegraph.
A writer who signs "PUBLc Coon" has,
for the last two weeks, occupied several
columns Of the Telegraph in an attempt
to convince his readers that til good policy
to delay the payment of debts and impair
the obligation Of contracts in the state of
Mississippi, by means of Legislative enact.
ment Such course of writing, under
ordinary circumstances, would require no
attention: but the feverish and unhealthy
condition Of pul lie sentiment under exist.
ing cmbarrassmens; the ayidity with which
reliefis sought without due regard to the
honesty or prorreiy Of the means, as well as
the unusual ability with which the articles in
question are written, seem to render it pro-
per that the whole subject should be care
fully and dispassionately examined.
Il is f1rtanate that the melancholy inft-
uationto which we have Just alluded, does
not peFYade the whole State TO the hon
or of the river counties, be it spoken, they
have, with the single exception of our own,
'sot their faces like flint against any
course of policy which will interfere
with vested rights, or sanction fraud ana
dishonesty on the part Of debtors. The
press, that organ and echo Of popular
feeling and public sentiment, is speaking
trumpct-tongued, on this subject, and in
language worthy high-minded and hon
oIable people, Ia Warren county, where
the prevailing pressure bears like an incu-
bus upon the energies Of her citizens, firm
purpose is expressed to ride OFT the storm
without any sacrifice Of principle, Of honor,
or Of honesty. They invoke pocuniary ru-
in sooner than violation or infraction ofI
the rights of those who have confded in
their integrity, and who still look to it as
the only guarantee oftheir safety.
In commenting upon the views express
cd by 'PuBLrc Coon shall only notice a
few Of the positions that he has assumed.
somo Of them are beyond tho reach Of cavil
Or controversy, That our citizens are la
boring under unprocedonte1pecuni en-
naTassmonis, ,cannotbc denied. Thatspee-
~ md efficient relief is highly important, is
equally certain. Tint legislative action Of
some kind may prove beneficial, is not inn
although it is extremely doubtful.
But that il will be worse than useless, If its
,bject be (as 'PUBLIc Coon would seem To
ecommond) 70 deny remedy upon obliga-
ions, to yetard the collection of debts, to
'bstruct the general course of justice, and
iuspeni the operation of existing laws, |
i'm prepared to demonstrate.
And here | must pause to remark, that
I'M somewhat at q loss how to deal with the
arguments Of 'PunLTc Coop as they
ire not concluded, he may spring upon usl
something 50 truly brilliant and beneficial
IS to make Us forgive the errors into which
le has fallen at the commencement Of bis
,areer, ominnus and startling as they are.
say he aag do this, but that he wiA 70 50,
S Of all things the most improbablei for we
an hardly hope for beauty il the statue,
vhen the pedestal IS 50 unsecmly and ms
hapen.
But, to return: maintain that law
npairing the obligation Of contracts, Or
be remedy upon them, viii not relieve the d
the times. hecause,
let. Such law would be unconstitu
ona and void. Il
2nd. Its enactment would destroy pull \