The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-08-08
HON MESTEAD EXEMPTION.

10 hXed amount, IS attracting much al,
lentIon in most parts of the community
and number Of States have already pass
ed laws 10 this effect. In some States pro-
vision is also made to this effect that the
husband shall not transfer the homestead o
the same limited amount, without the con-
sent Of his wife.
We think that judlcous laws upon thi:
subject would have a salutary effect on
the prosperity and general happiness Of the
community. The effect would not be gen.
orally to prevent the creditor from paying
his debts but 10 enable him finally to dis
charge them, by having house for him
self and fami!y-by being protected legally
as though he was man, and his family
regarded as being worthy CT the kind con-
sideration of society and law.
| With the homestead exemption mar
and his family may and will work in ords
to procure dear and sacred spot, which
they may call "sweet home," around
the family circle may cluster, and live in
harmony and comfort. sheltered from the
rude blast and incement skies. and the still
ruder blasts of the law. Besides the exer.
tons OF the husband and father to embel-
lish and render delightful that spot that is
ever dear TO the heart, his wife and children
also lend their aid in the planting of trees,
shrubs, and beautiful flowers to adorn that
home which they call ,hei. own, and
which cannot be wrested from them by any
adverse fortune. While the foxes have
holes, and the birds OF the air have nests,
and our beasts of the stall have comfora>
bic quarters, and are we'll fed, shall it be
said that the man Of misfortune, his wife
and children, perhaps suffering also under
the "!ls that flesh is heir to-" have no.
where to lay their heads, but in penury,
ana friendiess, mus, be turned out 10 the pe,.
ing of the pillless storm, and perhaps ex-
posed to The scoSn Of less worthy persons,
who at that period may chance to be at the
top OF the revolutionary wheel Of fortune.
What will be the effect of the homestead
exemption? The man who is liable 10 be
reduced to the necessity of claiming it can.
not get trusted so readily. Very well; let
him endure this advantage rather than
peril the dear home Of his family. If he
cannot live without trust when he has a
good house and few acres OF land. how
can he live when his house and credit, and
as many vainly think his reputation, are
gone? Better never be trusted than make
debt that will assuredy sweep away his
happy home as an avalanche or as an im-
petuous stream from the mountains.
The person who trusts man with a
view Of taking from him and his family
that shelter 10 which they fondly cling as
the only dear spot on earth, should never
be INDUCED by putting the grippe Of law in
his gIasping hand. Let a man retain his
home, and economize and live within his
means; and not injudiciously, Us in the
case with many, con,,ac. debts unnecessa-
rilv, and as is sometimes the case, for pur-
poses worse than useless, and then his
worthy family have 10 suffer, perhaps
through life, the consequence Of his indis-
crelon. The general welfare of the CON-
munity requires that the unfortunate should
not be "kicked still peg lower" and the
number Of paupers increased.