Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-02-07
Foa TIE INQUIRER.


Misguided philanthropy IS BIZ ~lh mischief. The
sdsoca,es Of Sag Law. and other relief measures, so
called, mas be 1ctGated by humane nGd phanthrcpc
inott4s. BIT sorisb dy has ;otcbly, though harshy
set. that "Hsll paved wuh good intentions Coed
Gorts Will neither prevent nor cure The bad conse
eJfnces OF unwiSe measures.
We have already foretaS.e Of the Eiisehevcus con
sequences of legislative interference between debtor
s"d creditors Ever since the passage of The Bankrupt
Isp OF the memorable Extra Session, confidence, be
tween man and ;nan, has been rapidly wearing cut
and now that Stay Law Is seriously talked Of
lg slture The restlrs-ness and dstrust amongst the
pc pie, a5ou! money matters have incseased mos, lear
.uly
its die to talk Of debtor and creditor classes. Most
u our business men both debtors and creditors
aad uo2 that dav o. settlement. has coGis(and come
ii al@ays ha-, and always will at time when are
lret prepared iof II, after 5askng the sunshine Of
tlosrug facilities, wt all the al,sndsn, schemes for
,-ac. rich, wlhoHteit industry economy now
that mus. look realities ictions have failed
- :ird ths many who have been DONG ''dasting
ia>t'es IN debt beyond their ability to pay, and
Av. eniaugieG and ruined others their dashnr opc
'3tors Ia such extent, that large proportion Of the
community had Themselves in d,lIcu!tIss, and many
ready to grasp at any measure hci promises
'rs without taxing t!n- 10 examine Ms practical
operation aad u.umate consequences. But Tie Legs
'u'e has no power to legisa,e money INTO our pock-
49, nor To poy The DEBTS Of those who are indebted be-
yVaa !he means Of payment,
What 'e'jef then, can Stay Law afford Is j; the
t'lect Cd s friends 10 prevent those who cua paw
euler "a whole, part, from being He'd to 90
80 u nat ne the object, then The object dishoaest
''t cannot be sanci, By lay. Every attempt go 10
l;7cliy IT, Will serve only 10 degrade debase the
80" making 2owe1. and corrupt end demoralza the
p'-r" Where does the Legislature find the power 10
"' h0l it'n any class ii people that which right
'n', t.onts TO them Why dad the trainers of our
Constitution declare, that no aw should be passed, i'm
tsf =! 'be Obligations nf contracts AIN aware tina,
We H',ods oi Stay Law, proiessedly Iepuo,ate the
"i oi 'oatng the obligations q! contracts. They
''tT'' nar"'y, HAT hry ~ means, design to iIl
plf such ooi'satons Bu; assertions " III not do when
"F cfca'", by law. that contracts shall be enn.-
esi Snd that Que party Shall b. compelled IT, submit 10
's oot ~ ihe contract, hn directly IN the teeth of it,
"'s' 'h~ oher party stall be relieved u. the incouve-
"t1cr oil complying w,;h It's hl,ga,inns
SleR VII oe the PRACTICAL operation Of Say Law
YEA such IS ihe avn q, It's friends ~ the ecisa,ure-
Aod' no matter what may be the extent Of their PHI.
-rthroPY they wi!i become uyu1ptrS they mass such
4hw.
i"'s language may CRATE barshly upon their ears -
=. IS used without any d'srespect TO their feelings
''-' cannot weigh grease my words, in writing
s'S NE schemes OF those, who, under the decisions
pane, aad under The guidance OF misguided and
'Ar eyed philanthropy, treat constitutional obliaa.
'''s q tumbugs, and wall no, give themselves the
''''r 10 examine carefully into the practical work
~ Ue'F mfasuyes-aut content themselves with
''''s ahout the dis,.esses Of the people, and pro
'"I 20 munster relief 10 .hose distresses
'm amaze That hayd caSeS may be cited, in which
'oNa's are sold cut al eacrllces They arc
"a cases gGm-but not so hard as III be the ca sas
nose "ho wl be ruined, il the Legislature take
'" ,aen tn" means of recos ering that which right
-'s 's''ng' to them. They are he pu, off, until
S' e'S's and charges eat up their subs,ance-so
are protected property vii! al last profit nobody but
"ft'' clerks sher'ffs c1nsiabes and perhaps weld
r. 'saee 10 tha appraisers appointed to value il.
c "di1sfr .! selling property at low prices is not
."i'u 10 s-es under executions II is hardship 10
, "'EiiY az are compelled TO submit We find
ys '. NOS pi'viden men, being obliged TO raise
Ella " PoEoe tor their daily wants, are disposing of
p',ceeds Of their toll at % low prices as these who
ID owl BY process Of law The truth is that hard
ana ~" prices have followed as inevitable conse
-, - IN" e1cesscs and exirnvaaances into which
a. 'ft sIatun and vicious banking have begniled
In" "S'S!a'"fS we're warned again and again of
49, "71 d'stte.ses winch The prevailing schemes
.,. ''s' r'{ht or nine years would inevitably bring
- bht those who 50 warned them were scoifed
emo. '"? "e'e branded as "humbupgers" Expert
ys, az proven. that their worst apprehensions were
n, .''hoed Their wort predictions are fulfilled
49, "oo relied upon Legislation to enrich the people,
Vat. The ins,rumentaliiy of banking, scheming and
Dns, "ere woluily humbugged. And yet they
si.,""c 10 Tely upon legsla,ing and banking, even
80 Es ''as bubbles had begun TO explode from
NV, ne Onon 10 The other. Still bank relief laws
- g''sed-,he banks must be INDUCED in their