The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-04-01
FOR THE BANNER)
COVE NO MAN ANYTHING ~


was given in the spirit of inspiration by
one, who was no stranger to the true
source OF human happiness. The fell
city springing from conscious freedom
from Indebtedness, is perhaps unknown
to many of your readers. The contrac-
ton of debt is the folly and madness of
our age and country. The facility of
obtaining credit is the procuring cause
of the ruin of thousands for time, and
for eternity. 1t first tempts persons to
live in advance, and beyond their means,
which ruins them for this life, and when
they become involved, then they are
tempted to use unrighteous ways to be
relieved of their liabilities, and this ruins
them for eternity. The ethical philo-
sophy of the world, and the moral code
OF heavens Book, alike teach the fac,
that there is but one way of discharging
debt-and that IS by paying the de-
mand. TO take legal advantage of
creditor can never be justly construed
into obedience to the admonition of reli-
gion, "Owe no man anything"
Both the policy and morality of seve
raj of our laws which gives the debtor
the advantage of the creditor, may be
called in question. The statute of limi-
tation of time, is of this class, in which
mere lapse of time discharges liability,
and di& i&rence is made between one
kind of Indebtedness and another. Now
this very law bears heavily upon those
who are in defenceless circumstances
and need the protection of the strong
arm of law. All that law ought to say
in this case is: that lapse of time shall
render proof more difficult, and never
make it proof of the non-existence of
TACT. This statute in its operations has
often shielded fraud and oppressed the
orphan. 1t has operated as legal dis
charge from the payment of millions of
money: but this is no obedience to the in
junction, Cove no man anything"
The statute respecting usury belongs
to the same class. This has not the
first redeeming feature-it is nothing
more nor less than bribe to vilIany.
1t is said you must hold out inducements
to detect violations of law If the vio-
lations of law cannot. be detected with
out corrupting the citizen, the law ought
to be repealed. The one who promises
excessive interest, is more guilty than
the other, if he made the promise with
the secret intention to avail himself of
this act afterwards, and besides he NAV
in this disposition make the offer, and if
either should be punished, the penalty
should fall on the more guilty. If
man promises, he is bound to fulfil in
the very sense he knew his promise to
be understood, otherwise he remains un-
der the full condemnation of the COM
mand, Cove no man anything"
The insoIvent debtors act, in some
of its provisions, and the law respecting
persons called in law infants, belong 70
the immoral category; but our limits
will not permit the exposition: and we
pass on with the single remark thaa il
an infant fourteen years old may sbrksiti
his life, no good cause can be shdW4a
why he may not sign away his claims.
to his property, and the plea 6. infancy
ought always to brand with infamy. nji
But the most immoral and wicked of
all laws, was the Bankrupt Acg: of the
Congress of the United States. Its life
was short; but its career was fraught
with the deepest corruption. Villany
was never iegalized before to the same
extent in any christian land. That law
is the foulest stamp upon the pages of