The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-12-04
Homestead Exemption.
NO. III.

fNOs Als
The objection alluded to in the second
article on this subject, is this: Tho
Homestead Exemption Law offers an in
ducement. the strongest possible, for every
man to act the scoundrel. Let us illus
trate this: A makes contract with B,
to deliver certain amount Of goods, for
specified sum; A performs his part, and
delivers the goods. Now every consider
alton Of justice and equity would point
out, that B should pay his money But
this Homestead Exemption Law steps in
and says to B, You have but five hundred
dollars worth of real estate, you may ex-
cuse yourselffrom the payment of the sum
you owe. Now is this not legalized fraud?
By our statute, theft and robbery are re-
garded as high crimes, and visited with
severe punishment; but under this law, an
act as morally culpable, is not only palli-
ated, but legalized.
What shall we say Of the morality Of
community that would embrace such
law, law affording to men an opportuni-
ty TO become villains, villains and scoun-
drels? Shall we not say it is a foul insult
TO the people of our state, mere bait
thrown out by political demagogues to al
lure the unsuspecting voter? that it has its
foundation in iniquity, and its source in
corruption, and is dependent on the igno-
rance OF our citizens for its support?
Surely this is an evil, and not among the
least, Of this canting, hypocritical, dema-
goguing age, that our protectors have be-
come our enemies Our Legislators, have
they not become the very worshippers of
that which they should detest? Have they
not mistaken their vocation? Is it base
pandering to our worst passions, a seeking
for our unholy qualifications, that oughtto
mark the character of our law makers, or
should they, in the true spirit oftheir call
inSs OuuOoSoi " CIiCCh ouT idHduSiSitl uu0
restrain our wild enthusiasm? The evil is
great, but happily it is not of long contin-
uance; it carries its own remedy with IT.
The same bringing, time-serving heartless-
ness which causes man to swerve from
the path Of duty for the sake of popularity,
will, when the villany has been exposed,
cause him to retrace his steps. The fear
of offending the people, his tyrant, exer.
cises the same influence over him as that
Of the Sultan OF Turkey over the meanest
favorite that waits to do his bidding. Yet
much. doubtless, are we to be blamed for
suffering ourselves to be so led by the
nose. We follow blindly the dictates Of
party leaders. This might not be 20 bad,
were our leaders always safe guides; but
they are not. The time has been, and
noiu is, that we, in the selection of candi-
dates for office, look not at the true char.
acter Of the man before us, but vote as our
party predictions, and not as the die
tates OF reason, would prompt US. For
this, and for these causes, we are compel
led to endure the many heavy infections
which our legislators annually heap upon
US, miscalled laws. There is, however, q
mode of redress. Our laws are not like
those of the Medes and Persians, which
alter not. Let us, then, urge our legisla-
ture to repeal this act, and wipe away the
foul stigma Of reproach which 1t casts up
on us. Let US wipe out the stain upon
our escutcheon, and erase the blot upon
our honor. CIVIS.