Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1842-11-12
LEXINGTON, MISSISSIPPI.
Saturday November IL, 1872.
RELIEF.

Sundry bills have been introduced into
the Legislature of Tennessee, now in ses-
sion, for the relief of the people, Their
authors, we have no doubt, are influenced
By humanity; but we are equally CERTAIN,
that the result will show, not by wisdom.
We are uncompromisingly opposed to
all relief measures-they but oggravaIe
the disease. 1t is tue, they alleviate, Tor
moment, the suffering Of 'hcpatlent; but
the cause of the disease is untouched. By
postponing the crisis, the system is weak
ened, and when it comes, (aud come 1t
must the patient sinks under it. Such
measures are the quack's nostrums. The
skiIful physician, on the contrary, at the
first stage of The attack, whilst the body is
comparatively strong, and before the or
gans become torpid, applies efficient reme'
dies, and consequently in a large majority
of cases, restores health.
The Legislature may suspend the col.
lection of debts for time, but cannot stop
the interest. The Constitution has wisely
limited the power. Those who have been
in debt know how interest grows. Ii is a
Canker worm that will soon devour the
heart of the largest estate. 1t has no
sleeping hours; whilst everything else is
still, it advances. In times of embarrass.
ment and scarcity of money, like the pre-
sent, the debtor cannot make more than
support, and the value of property daily
diminishes He can lay up nothing to
meet his heavy liabilities. Such laws
too, induce false state Of security. We
are all disposed to pot olive love ease;
dislike exertion. The Legislature has
come TO our rescue once; will it not again
one good turn deserves another This
will check tine industrious and careful hab.
its OF many, and make them trust to Le-
gis!atlve aid Oh 10 chance. But pay day
must come, ard The unfortunate debtor
then finds his liabilities are greatly in
creased, whilst his means are diminished.
His properly is sacrificed and he is in
far worse condition than before he received
this Legislative boon. What was intend
ed as mercy proves blighting curse.
The relation of debtor and creditor is
too sacred to be touched by the rude hand
ola Legislature. lfdone it thrills through
every nerve Of community, and leads to
the most DISASTROUS consequences. 1t Of
necessity impairs confidence between man
and man. 1t saps the morals Of the peo>
ple-becanse it encourages injustice aud
countenances the breach and violation Of
the most sacred obligations. Nothing
contributes more, though silently, to the
prosperity and wealth OF a Nation, than
the impartial and rigid administration OIL
Justce-because it prevents, in grea,
degree, undue speculation, and enforce:
punctuality. Prudence and punctualny
promotes and sustans trade and commerce
aud infuses lie into all the ayocatons O
mao. Suspension laws arrest the course
oijustice, and are therefore, impolitic.
The idea of legslating people out O
debt, is as absurd and ridiculous, as wa.
the searching of old, after the PhiIoso
piers stone. The fiat went forth from
the councils Of Heaven, thousands of year.
since, that man should live by the sweal
of his brow. Human assemblies cauuol
repeal it,
The judiciary and post note bills are
the ones we particularly allude to. Ten.
nessee being on our border, we are pecu-
liarly affected by her legislation. We
have, therefore, thought proper to notice
il.