The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-02-03
Homestead Exemption,

@afts
Mr.. DlmMocK, from the select com
mittee to whom was referred the petit.
,iuns Of citizens of Seneca county,
praying that Family nomesteads may
be exempt from sale on execution TO
pay debts, made the following rt.t
REPORT:
That the exemption of the Family
Homestead from sale Tor debts is in
tended as a benign protection Of the 10
nocent and unfortunate from the sever
tiles of the law. Judicial sales of a
debtors real estate usually arises from
his misfortune or his improvidence. In
either case, the calamity bears most
heavily upon the wife and children,
who are innocent and helpless suffer
crs. The provision, therefore, is hu-
name; in lIie light OF political economy
tits also wise. 5.t .-a ID
The object OF law is to promote pub
lie happihess-the sufferers from judi,
cial sales form a large portion Of the
most numerous class of citizens: small
farmers and traders, %artizans, mechan-
les, manufacturers and !aboring men,
in towns and cities; and upon these fall
mos frequently and with the greatest
severity, tie inevitable calamities Of
YOUR race, such as disease, p%eslilence.
revulsions nf trade, commerce and
manufactures. The happiness OF this
numerous class should not be contln-
gent upon the chances OF health or pub.
lie prosperity. TO secure their iade-
pendence, the roJf that shelters them,
should not be at the mercy OF an en-
ployer, who, by withholding work can
deprive them OF bread, take away their
home, and force then a%sunder, 10 seek
shelter where it may be %found--or at
the mercy ola creditor; who may force
Il to sale, and buy il him self, at a mere
nominal price.
The homestead, then, should be a
pIacetof refuge, where the poor and
weary may lay his head. with none to
make him afraid-an altar where iaml'
IN love may always burma castle
where the oppressor m ~ not approach.
Give permanence TO the poor mans
home, and he will be virluous and in
dependent. Shelter his wife and off.
spring by an established homestead, and
they will seldom become victims Of vice,
want, or crime. Happiness, virtue,
independence, and the welfare of Re-
publican Government; in The family
homestead they must grow and expand;
without it they must perish. So that
security to the homestead is II OF the
greatest ideas to be realized for the i'm.
pfovement OF our race 1n.'4' o sol -sf
-ilta ia a lamentable truth, that the ten.
dsncy Of past legislation in Ohio, and
in our Nationat Legislature, has been
to build up and protect capital at the
Sxpense oflabor- TO enhance the profits
Of Commerce, manufactures and mer-
cantie, and speculative pursuits, and
render the laborer, the agriculturist,
and The poor mechanic mere objects 70
BE- projected by the capitalists; than as
being under the protection Of govern
ment., In fact the whole system Of
present class Legislation seems 2 rhaye
bean effected on the maxim ascribed to
a. distinguished staiesman--Let the
government, take care Of the rich and
ne rich will take care OF the poor!
The reverse should beitt,e motto of oil
RspdblicanG overnments--'astgovern.
s1ga T. protect the %popr--ahe rich will
take care Of themselves.h The object
or aNlaw should be s'ihe protection ol
tSaS weak against the ngg:essions ofthe
Syyodnip..,s IA And while in this State, eve.