The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-12
LOCAL MATTERS.
Homestead Eremption.

Mayor had in his inaugural address expressed his
views in favor Of this salutary law, We have de-
rived much satisfaction from this of his
favor The measure has already been adopted in
fifteen Of the States IF Union, and VIC have full
confidence that the people of this District will not
withhold from it their hearty appreciation.
The following paragraph we find in a late mum.
Der of the Albany Ecsning Journal:
"1he Homestead Exemption is rapidly working
its way into popular favor. II is no longer deemed
either pernicious or chimerical. Good men of all
parties adopt it eminently practical and humane.
II reaches far beyond and above all pecuniary
siderations. In it is involved 10 no Uncomfortable
extent, the stability of the State. as well the hap
pness and moral we'll being of the individual.
While patriotism has other and higher springs than
property, interest in its soil tends to strengthen
the bonds which unite the citizen TO his country.
There is u sanctity in n mere ideal 4" hearth and
home" But the elevating emotions which this idea
excites infinitely augmented by the reality
Members of both parties cordially acquiesced in the
appropriate and eloquent recommendations OF Gov
ernor Fish. Their endorsement, by the Senate and
Assembly, is alike creditable to them and
Legislators"
Generally speaking, people have but little trou-
Bile in making their way along in life, who once
succeed in "getting start" To some, the start
that is required is few hundred dollars, with which
to commence business; with most, however, it is a
dwelling house, in which to abide without nolesta
ton. Until the attainment of this purpose, poor
families are often very helpless, and in their
helplessness unsettled in their plans in life.
dwelling place usually costs men fifth or fourth
OF their income; but after it once becomes the prop
erty of its occupant his progress ID by much the
more rapid. That which once his regular out
lay in house rent becomes his regular increase I'M
til, by compromising it, the ratio is greatly aug
mented He is then in a way To rise; and even the
vicissitudes that from time to time occur in the
rious industrial pursuits, and the c;,lanites to
which families often subjected carnut PROSTATE
impoverish him. And if the main support of a
family, the husband and the father, be removed,
secure in n comfortable home the wife and chill
dren are not likely TO come to want. The other
necessaries of life are not many costly,
but that with diligence and economy they may
still be supplied.
Ii was this view of the subject which first led
men TO propose that every homestead should be
exempt from legal attachment even though its
owner and occupant might have many creditors,
and no matter how just their claims might be upon
him.
At the fret this proposition seemed to unjust;
but reflection has changed our views. II cannot
affect the interests OF any whose contracts are
made with knowledge Of such existing law;
can il be unjust that man whose fortunes have
been adverse should refuse to turn his family out
OF their home and at once subject them to the vicis
STUDIES and temptations Of d wandering life, and
deprive himself OF the only reliance by means of
which he may again hope TO struggle through his
momentary difficulties, and discharge the obliga
tons that rest upon him. In our opinion, the Sc
cure possession of well loved and comfor table home
will prove a guarantee of the integrity of every
man, His homestead being securely his, his resi-
deuce will be fixed His thoughts will not wander
aiar off. His energies will be directed TO the adorn
ment of that home. Ia his permanent place OF
abode he will find the desire for good reputation
be stronger than he would possess if he believed
that chance might watt him and his household to a
new habitaton, and into the midst of new associ-
atoms
The affections for home would soon be strength
ened and every tree, and shrub, and old grey
stone would be objects of interest and tender
citation. Surely whatever law can conduce to those
ends cannot make unjust The tendency
must be in all respects salutary. The individuals
and families in each community must be greatly
benefited by il. And if such would be the effects
upon individuals, what must communities not gain
by the arrangement The migratory character d
people il by no means an advantage TO the old
settlements of our country. The continuous abode
and the improvement of individuals, would soor
manifest their happy effects upon the community
at large; while the comfort, and neatness, and
beauty Of every homestead would sdorn our city
more than thousand palaces of marble walls and
fretted domes.
II is hard 10 divest the mind of its early impress
sions. We have found il so. But the proposed
law is just and salutary, the reservations
provided in every insolyent law must be based on
error The law that will protect debtor in tho
possession Of his cloak and his coat cannot be NOR,
perfectly ia consonance with business than thai
which would preserve TO his wife and children the
shelter above them-the home that has been hal
lowed TO them by every joy aud every sorrow 0
their lives
Our Government is based upon the inteligenc,
aud the virtue Of the masses Of our people and al
our laws should provide for the happiness and vel
fare of the masses; and upon them should fall il
blessings and its responsibilities alike. How can
either OF these be more eficctually conferred than
by protecting each douicil, and, through the con
sciousness that it Is his own, inducing each Inmate
TO protect il and the laws that guaranty il q,
him and his forever,
YESTERDAY, between two and three o'clock,
chimney at the corner of G and 10Th streets tool
! A. a. A.. g..I- l..