Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1843-02-23
2'irN.MtI zc0iolaturc.
DEBATE ON THE STAY LAW.


ments thai the subject mght hn fairly presented to the
House on lis merits. He Knew that tins motion would
combine the friends of the bill and of the amendments Ms
well as those who might bo Induced 10 support Stay
Law IN any ot lis various modhestors bet ho dcetcd
10 test the question, whether the Legislature ling
al this time to interfere IN any manner with the vested
rights oi the creditor. by Withholding the remedy pruvi
died under existing laws for the recovery Of debts The
passage OF tins would be precedent in the cps
atol of the State o the pesen century. uncrled Tor by
any remarkable circumstance, aud likely be attended
with the most calamitous results II liz true. n similar
law passed during the embargo aud non intercourse
OF lslo when the debtor was prohibiting from exporting
his tobacco. flour. and other agricultural pronets but
both the fmlargo and Stay law justified by a re
sott 10 the first great law 81 nature and SdIs
popuh Nprema est ler'-lhe safety of the people is
the supreme law. As our ports werecoscd by an nper
alive mandate Of the General Government and cNpurla.
tons suspended by the high considerations Of safety 10
the people, equal justice required that the creditor should
suspend his COLLECTIONS until Intercourse was rcstorrd-
The law again revived during the last war when
our country was invaded by the armies OF the most pow
crul nation OF the oarthour h,sdoy asaled-tho Cap
raj oi the nation burnt; when oil
by tho navy Ut enemy. twenty fold preatcr than ours
and all agricultural products accumulated IN the farmers
hands ur want Of foreign market When tho citizen
soldier had laid asdo the implemen. OF hnsbandy and
seaed the musket 10 march II decncc of his country :
rights 1t Was neither proper Just that his creditor
should hafrass In. family. levy upon his property
whilst iurelkn Toe whh upon our soil The maAnl--
inter d,Ha legs sieni'-amds tl', din Of arms the
laws src sllents miglrr than civil Jurisprudence II
sell So long the continued Tor the protection oi
lie and liberty. and the existence OF Government.
The debtor might reasonably ask projection from the
mclty ol the creditor AnDthcr clcnm.anc character
2ed those Two which should be lost the
embargo aud prevented the exploration Of the lae
and flour. whilst the markets abroad became exhaust
ed ot these commodities At the close ul the embargo
and the restoration Of peace the several crops, which had
accumulated upon the planters hands went abroad 10
an empty market. The planter received high price for
the several crops, and thus enabled repair the
INJURY inflicted by the embargo, the war and the Stay
| Law.
This period, however prescn's such pressing con
sdetailon There 10 n9 em5argo. 10 war aud oar com
mefce is unTqmmclled with the whole world. For
! twenty n years, we have enjorrd ihe blessings o
uninterrupted peace. passing through thai disastrous pc
rod Of commercial dcpresson Indebtedness aud wreck of
private fortunes from 1918 To lS22 without, ue law
and the last twelve years have witnessed o pros
pcrly unparalleled IN our history 1t isat the close Of
this period oi general prosperity that tins measure.
pernlcous 10 the best interests OF the State and the
mlity of the people, is pressed upon the legislature
There precedent Of similar character during the
present. century and this law must hc resisted, mol
isolated question Of the temporary suspension Of The pay
ment of debts hut The first If serle, Of measures
Iug The Constitution 81 The mon and tho STATE tramp
ling upon the vested rights III the creditor secured by
existing lava, liable 10 be continued 10 ln,c and push
ed 10 an extent 10 which human foresight assign
limit upon this he based his first objection
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