The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-02-12

law was passed exempting from levy and sale
the dwelling and fifty acres Of land of the
debtor. This law to 90 into effect tho frs,
ofnext March, VIC think, and does not affect
tho citizens Of town or village, but merely
those ofthe country. Owing TO the kindness
OF some Of our friends here, We have noticed
in many Of our State papers loaned us, that
they arc all mostly in favor of this law. From
the first We were opposed to Il, and agree
with the Southern Patriot, of Grccnville that
1t Is one Of the political quackaries of tho
day. In fact, We look upon It as very much
akin to the Bankrupt law enacteda few years
since, and on account of the umconsiitutiors
atty and unjustness Of II, was repealed the
next session Of Congress. We know men
who are in lucrative business In Charleston,
who, having saken the benefit of that law,
and thus robbed citizens of their jusu
dues, have since become rich-was not this
for the benefit Of the few at the expense Of
many! In considering this Homestead Law
we are at loss to perceive what good Il will
accomplish, and yet it appears to us il is pro-
ductive Of much harm. In the FIRST place,
man has house and fifty acres of land, they
are merely nominally his nominally, for even
If they be amply worth five hundred dollars,
he cannot use the property as five hundred
dollars, his wife and children may be starving,
but could no purchase necessaries from a
store when the merchant knows the improba-
bility ofh getting his pay, in fact, we may
say the impossibility, unless the purchaser
hns means, exclusive of his dwelling and land,
to pay for them! We may all talk about
honor and honesty, but business men like to
see something more tangible before they
give up their wares. Thus It appears to ua
the law is defeating the very object we pre-.
sumo it was intended to effect Sappcsr
Mr.. A has dwelling and fifty acn.S Of land,
house and land cannot support him but be-
fore the planting season commences heealmI
ly goes to work to make his calculations He
finds his land is productive and he only had
small boy, horse, plow, &C., no would bc
able to make - support for his family, and n
little over. He looks about and finds he can
purchase these articles, Mt an amount from
four to five hundred dollars. He can pur-
chase them on one, two, and three years time
but has to give personal security ms the terms
are mt all sales. He goes to his friend, Mr..
ID. and requests the latter to endorse his note
But what does b say, My friend, am sor-
ry cannot, for what indemnity have for tho
paymcntI have no recourse on your dwelling
and land, know You arc an honest man, but
still, It Ia risk ] cannot hazard
Every one knows that in our up-country,
great many Of our citizens arc not worth
more than five hundred dollars, or the equiv
alent in a dwelling and land, and good citi-
zens they are too. Why, some Of our most
wealthy eisi.s.s at FIRST were not worth moro
ana so he much loss -s,New thase men coma
to oaslyiIlagos. purchase their supplies and
pay up ssahe first Of January following; hat
are We snrs they WIN get this credit hcreafs
ter, or oven If they do, how win new comcrs
only worth that amount, manage to procure
tt''r supplies! Why, suppose the Degisla-
ture were to establish u law prohibiting Gre
dit altogether, or II one sold to another no
does II at his own risk, rs there would be
no law by which his debtors property could
be levied upon !-what would be the effect,
Why, South Carolina would become depop.
ulated. Yet this Homestead law j. calcula-
ted TO produce the samo effect, only on a
| moro contracted scale. Our contemporary Of
tho Pa'riAt speaks Of the English Law which
excludes the dwelling and = certain portion
Of land from levy and sale. In Creal Britain
the enncting Of such law, serves to keepus
and strengthen the very government which
we repudiate. Were Il not for such striu.
gent laws, tho British Government might
totter, they are obliged to keep up an aristo-
cracy, therefore this law protects the rich, Il
w's not intended to help the.poor. We live
In Republican country,a and laws should be
enrcted, bOsed upon republican principles
and II the Legislature would enforce msny
laws which they have already enacted,
and let such laws as this alone, we believe
1t would tend more to advance the prosperi.
ty and greatness Of our beloved State.
II