Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-12-16
NUMBER 4g.

permit the Tree negro 10 learn TO read and write
TO vote TO bear arms, TO resent insults, in short
10 exercise all the rights and privileges OF the
white MANI Surely not. Yet our policy
viii not allow to him those high privileges
And II there be in his natural character the
elements TO make him great and good man,
4 IS hopeless to expect that they will ever be
developed.nnder orr policy. The iuhumani-
~ then consists not in sending them from our
state, but in retaining them among us. IL 10
10 me unaccountabe how there should be
difference ofupinion on this question. Here
the free negro is degraded by our policy--a
policy which we cannot relax, and il is in our
power TO send HIM TO other countries where
education, society and all the agencies that
contribute TO the advancement and improve
ment of mankind are within his reach, and
we are to be deferred from ihis bensvoIes,un-
deriakng BY the cries OF those who affect an
overweight tenderness and humanity!
say 10 those who sympathise with the negro,
who mourn his moral degradation, and look
forward with hope TO the day when he will
be elevated in the scale Of humanity and pla-
ced on a footing of social equality with the
white man, that their hopes, wishes and SYM
pathies can never be gsaliiied here. | consid.
er, then, that il is cruel and inhumpn not 10
send the free negro away. We are bound 10
do II as benevolent men and as faithful guar
dams OF the best interests of our good old COM
monweal,h. Thoroughly convinced that thi,
is wise policy, and is called for BY the best
dictates OF humanity that il will be bles.
sing 10 the negro aud TO our state, earnestly
recommend immediate steps 10 be taken TO eff
feet this important purpose.
| recommend the passage OF law pfovi-
ding that the free negroes shall be removed by
counties. In removing them by counties. no
social or domestic tie will be broken That il
De provided when a law acts upon county
or counties, II shall be final and complete: no
Tree negro ever thereafter De allowed TO reside
therein. mat they be sent at the public ex-
pense to the countries where slavery does NOT
exist, as passengers in merchant vessels, and
particularly to Liberia u acceptable 10 her au-
thorites. Such law, provided with the pro-
per details, would be perfectly easy Of execu-
non, and would not cost the State, am salts
he'd, sum per year greater than that which
was Tor many years appropriated in aid ofour
colonization society. Indeed have received
an informal proposition from the island OF
Trinidad that she will pay half the expenses
OF all that may be sent TO her, as well as assu-
rance from other quarters that they would
cheerfully receive them.
Our usury laws are, in my judgment, i'm
moral III their tendency and cerleinly injurious
10 the business interests OF society, and ought
therefore 10 be repealed. Laws cannot pre-
vent dealings IN usury, as is attesied by uni
versal experience. The needy will borrow,
the usurious will lend, and the certain effects
OF attaching pains and penalties 10 such trans
actions, are 10 swell the premium paid by the
borrower and to tempt him to become dis
honest man.
Why should price be fixed by law on mo-
ney3 Ii is property, precisely as is bale of
cotton or hogshead OF sugar, and fuctuaies
as they do IN value.
Abouttwo years ago, money was furnished
by the bank OF England at about 8 per cent,
and she was, by the last advices, asking and
receiving for il per cent per annum. A
short time since, money was abundanfn New
York, but now It is scarce, and good paper
can be had in the street at a discount or Il per
cent, per month. In fact, money is more SEN
sltIve and huctuating than other descriptions
OF properly, and IS the last TO which price
should De affixed by law. Interest is COM
pound oil Two ingredients, the inconvenience
OF parting with given sum OF money, and
the hazard Of losing i altogether. IF the
law prescribe the ,ate OF 6per cent. as the I'M
chaDgeable price o. money, continually huc-
tualing as i IS, y is manifest that this rate will
be frequently below the market value, and the
consequence must be, that large portion of
the money capital OF The community, in ODE
dience 10 law, reiires from business, while that
which remains, seeks IN high premiums bu-
siness profit as well as indemnity for the haz-
ara created oy law. In TINS view the law is
plainly injurious, and produces an amount Of
mischief II IS dIiiicult TO estimate.
Should It be your pleasure, gentlemen, to
repeal the usury laws. and trust hard and I'M
conscionable contracts 10 the ample jurisdic-
ton OF our courts OF chancery, am satisfied
you would give general satisfaction and render
great and important service to the State
But IT you should be unwilling TO adopt this
recommendation IN IFS full extent, earnestly
recommend repeal OF ,he usury laws, so that
all usurious contracts may be enforced TO the
extent OF the principal and the legal interest
thereon.
"A person holding the obligation OF another
has the power TO require bail for the whole
amount appearing 10 be due thereon. as Of
right rs frequently the source of great OPP
preston. resulting as i, may and sometimes
does IN the imprisonment OF the debtor when
4 may De. not cent is due. The personal
liberty OF the citizen should Dever be placed by
Jaw az inc VIII and pleasure OF any person
~ Ia