The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1840-07-02

originally, was purchased at exorbiiant and
inflated prices, consequent upon redgnd7
ant paper currency. IL is nothing THAI not
the least iniimation was given that payment
would be required in gold and silver for
what had been sold at paper prices. 1t is
nothing that in many instances one-haIi and
two-thrds Of the purchase money has been
paid in funds upon which the creditors have
long since realized the specie-for instance,
upon the notes of our Banks received before
the resumption, and upon many of our six
and twelve months post notes. Il is nothing
that with what he has already received,
owing to fortuitous circumstances, he can
purchase back not only the property which
he sold; bnt probably as much more. Ii is
nothing, that having rid themselves of their
property at high prices, they have striven
might and main TO reduce every thing TO a
hard money standard, in order that fney
might collect their debts in gold and silver.
and thereby double their profits. We'can-
not believe the writer to be the apolopist for
these, for if such is even handed Justice.
then we must confess ourselves ignorant of
the attributes of justice. We are fuuher
told that our creditors have their debts to
pay as well as us. We have no doubt of
the fact; but are there not many, very MANY
of them who owe the Banks, and find Il
very Convenient to pay their liabilities in the
paper emissions Of said Banks, which thew
can purchase up in some cases at a dis
count Of fifty per cent. with the specie
which they have exacled from their debtors.
We might multiply instances to show the
injustice and wrong which has been practi-
sed upon US; but ''the soul is sick. the ear is
panied with every days report" of them.
and we willingly forego any further remarks
upon this portion of the subject, and hasten
our conclusion, for fear we have trespassed.
too long upon your good nature already
Mr. Editor, one word to Even Justice,
before we leave this branch Of our subject.
lest he might charge us with having drawn
upon our imagination too largely for facts
but such is not the case. What we have
supposed are sober realities. Would TO God
that we could persuade ourselves that the
injustice and wrong which we have receiy-
ed was ideal. But we have too MANY mel
anchoy evidences in the desolation of ssme
OF the farest and most fertile portions of our
State We have been compelled TO witness
VI
and most valuable of our citizens, who had
in prosperous times contracted debt, which
bore, in all probability, in proportion to
what they already were possessed of, free
from incumbrauce, not one-enth Of the
amount; vet owing to the merciless cry for
gold and silver, and the determination of
their creditors to enforce payment in the
same, and that as speedily as possible, and
at all hazards, they have had their all acri-
7 feed to lquidate what would, in other lines
and under other circumstances, be consid.
cred an insignificant debt. Many of us
have had friends and acquaintance SINH
larly situated, and have seen their property
torn from them by the fangs of the law, and
! they themselves turned homeless and pen
nvless upon the world. Yes, with sorrow
have we seen them cast one lingering look
of des air upon their once peaceful 90s-
sessions, and reluctantly bidding adeu to
the home of their choice, and seeking an
ASYLUM beyond the confines of the United
States, or burying themselves in the almost
impenetrable swamps of the Mississippi,
where at least they would be spared The
notifying sight of their creditor, enjoying
the possession of what had cost them years
of toll, of hardship and privation; but what
he had emphaticalg purchased for a song.
The writer advises that it would have
! been better for US to have talked the matter
over privately amongst ourselves, and got
1 the common consent of the people not to
! bid. This he knows would have been i'm
practicable; and even if it would have an
swered with our own citizens, there were
those whose audience could not have been
had. This law-loving writer tells US we
must not ''brave the majesty OF the law
and appears to feel the most holy horror at
the idea that the laws are to be obSlructed,
and that debtors will shelter themselves A.
derthe protection of the populace. On this
score he need give himself no uneasiness.
/ There are none who seek to cancel their
debts in this way The bare intimaiionwe
consider an insult to the community.
Whilst we would show the respect to law,
and to the obligation of contracts, which
they deserve. we cannot agree with 'Eren
Justice that the ''law is in all cases para
mount 20 all individual opposition" We
conceive there are instances where IT is not
the case. For instance, self-preservatiOn IS
paramount to all law. In fine, 20 make
long story short, we agree with the immor-
-tal Jefferson, from whom our county derives
its name, ''that a strict observance of the
written laws, is doubtless one of the high
duties of every good citizen" But it is not
the highest The laws of necessity, of self
preservation, of serving our country, when
in danger, are-of higher obligation. In con-
cIusion, we trust the people of this county