The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-01-03
THE HOMESTEAD.


the homestead will be an important
question in our next canvass and Leg
islaturc. In anticipation OF this, at an,
early day. we submit the subject to-
the consideration OF our citizens.
Our best laws have been oflcu'
formed after the most vo!rnt oppose
ton OF the part Of the mnmy who are
SO prone to cling blindIy TO the Gus.
toms of those who have gone before
them As the code of no nation was:
ever perfect in its inception, because
founded on accident--the existing
wants Of society-wc see that all are
susceptible Of improvement, and liable
to the greatest changes which tho
advancement and new relations Of
society will demand. II may be THAI
the very strongest light of reason wilJ
be required to melt away the preJr.-
dices of ignorance: that the mosy
urgent wants aud strongest necessities
will be required to batter down the
walls which habit and ignorance have
thrown up to impede the Innovations
of improvement; yet. in the cad. as
this cloud of ignorance is dispeIled by
the light OF education, will the people
who Enough they may at times cry
are always right in their Intentions.
force upon their representatives the
laws which are for their best interests.
These reforms and changes of law
need no better advocate. no stronger
argument, 10 recommend them. than
the ve,y fac, that the impulse in their
favor has been left among the people:-
thar they are advocated by no par-
ticu,ar sect, or in no enc district, but
throughout the whole length and
breadth of the land. wherever the
wants Of society arcthe same. Among
other reforms. see how this tide is set
ia favor Of the exemption o! the home.
stead from execution. from the new
States in the Norlh--from Vermont
on the East (wherc the Legislature
lately passed this exemption law by
an overwhelming Majority to the
latest of al! experiments in the way
of government the golden Ell Dorado
OF the West. We mark the first flow
of that mighty and irresistible tide,
which is said never to cbb. If there
is law that should force itself upon
the lover of his race it is this; to Sc.
cure to her whose husband may have
been unfortunate home. shelter
and protection from the cold and bit.
Ing charity Of pitiless world; to
reserve lnviolatc and sacred that
family hearth over which she as some
guardian angel is TO preside, and, by
her influence and example, to cheer
and keep bright the otherwise broken
spirits of her husband, and to insti
those better precepts of the heart,
which have their strongest force from
Il mothers lips. into the minds o. her
children, who may now gather around
their own fire IN comfort and content;
even though misfortune should have,
followed the unsuccessful efforts Of the
father. How many with strong spirits
anu VI ave hCitl 10 nave DCCH UU"Cu
and have sunk-sunk past all rcdemp-
ton, under the heavy weight of their
SORROWS and advcrsitics, when by the
laws they have been "steeped to their
very chins in poverty" who need but
this sanctuary Of the affections to
warm into life again the chilled and
dcadcned spirits Of their better nature,
to incite them again TO courage, TO
new aud better efforts. There is no
feeling SO near akin to religion as a
love of home; there is nothing so COM
pletel y disheartens. so wholly I'M
nerves a man. as TO be deprived Of his
home; but leave him this, and with a
stout heart and brave spirit he cheer
fully undertakes renewed and greater
labors; but deprive him of this, and
you sink not only him. but a whole
family with broken spirits into misery
past redemption; but secure US in our
homes, and we will have nation Of
home-loving patriots.
the cottage then will look out on q domain
The palace cannot boast of,
And then our valleys will be the homes
For hearts; our cottages our vineyards,
orchards,
Our pastures studded with the herd and fold
Our native strains that melt as we sing them!
Will be for n free, brave, home.loving
people.'