Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-11-24

BRISTOL, NCY. II, l-10.
Me9srs. Edi,ors--T he following refcc-
tons on The utility Of the Usus Laws sue-
geS. themselves 10 my mind from tie rer-
scTering opposition those laws H1ec, from
every class Of community. II they appear
to you q sUffic.en. werlh io meet q place
in yo4r paper, you are al liberty 10 use
them.
That mans money Is as much his pyo.
perry as any thing he possesses, is a fact
no one will deny. On the acknowledges
nleG' OF this principle, the opponents Of The
laws raise the question:; IS not property
worth what it wall bring? In answer TO
this question | remark IN the frs. place,
that he value OF property in general, in
Dependant; Of special legislation is Of two
kinds: Intrinsic, and nominal or CONNER
claI-lnirlnsic value is the cost OF produc-
tion-nomlnaI.c commercial is what the
article will bring, and is subject 10 grca!
variations from two causes, viz: a sudden
increase in the demand, and special lcsis-
lation. 1t is eviden, that if any particular
species Of property be made the subject of
special lcgislaton; that particular species
Will possess new powers, corresponding 10
the nature of the Legislation in reference to
IL Thus if any particular species is made
by law to pepiorm functions deniedto any
other; IN this respect il will become exclu-
sive, and consequently as the powers which
The law designed it TO exercise become null
tp!ied, the influence il wiz have over eve
ry other will be increased. This is pre-
ciSely the situation which gold and silver
occupies in reference TO any other species
Of property, by being made legal tender.
IL needs but little reflection toperce;ye how
entirely, gold and silver commands every
other commodiiy.-l think no one will
claim this superiority, 10 be the effect Of
its superior intrinsic value, for in lis ma
ture II IS like other property, and worth in-
trnsicaIiy what il costs to produce it. But
some cause operates TO give it this prele-
renee, and 10 my mind, II is clear that,
special Legislation is that cause. The le-
gal right of demanding gid or silver in
the payment of debts is the substance OF
all the difference How This exclusive spe-
cies operates on every other, is seen by US
all, in the every day transactions of life.
In proportion as our necessities bear upon
US, just in this proportion does this rise,
and all others fall in our estimation. And
this is a natural consequence for no other
species can fulfill the require ments OF the
law. The expediency Of making gold and
silver a legal tender is not questioned, but
the justice Of leaving it unconfned within
proper limits, after having invested ii with
powers not possessed by any other species
of property is not easily seen. The exor-
bltant interest money comma nds under par
tlcular circumstances, such for instance
as the land sales, and all other circumstan-
under which large body OF citizens, at a
particular time need its use, are evidences
strong of what it would be if left entirely
uncontrolled.
We all condemn exclusive legisations,
except the wants and the best good Of So
cicty imperously demand it, and even then,
the exclusive powers are so much dreaded
by the community, that restraints are null
tplied against It's abuse, and their opera
tons are watched with an eye that never
sumbers; in no case is exclusion carried
to greater extent than in money. Ii is
Of no avail to say that the laws fail 10 ac-
compIish the intended object, nor is this
generally true. The exped;ents fer eva
uIlS uiI Ia" WIN PopOitlOh ~
necessities Of those on whom it operates.
1t is IN the ordinary course Of things that
the community reap the advantages Of their
operation, and their invasion under great
press Of circumstances is a proof of their
utility. Any other law under similar cir
would bear the ma rk Of human
imperiection in similar degree, and it may
safely be said Of human laws, that if they
cannot be evaded they are good for moth
ing. 1t is the province Of each separate
to fix the limits OF interest ac-
cording to their circumstances In differ
ent places under different circumstances
the point will vary. In new country like
ours, it is undoubtedly wisdom to allow
liberal per cent, for like every thing else,
money will go when it gets the most pay
Lest should weary your patience, and
that Of your readers also by advancing
opinions contrary 10 yours and theirs,l will
bring my communication 10 a close by ex-
pressing wish that some Of your CORES: