The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-05-19
5rlrrttA Irtirlrs.
From The Spdrtdnb,rg Spartan.
The Policy OF the Homestead Law.
Some observations respectfully addressed to
r. s. Bailey Esq.,, Editor Of the Ian
caster Ledger.

We have made the following extract
from the editorial referred to last week,
as our excuse for writing again upon the
subject:
"The honor Of introducing this Law in
the Legislature belong to Mr.. Tucker, one
Of the Editors Of the Spartan, and in his
paper Of the 9Th inst, he has long article
on the subject attempting to meet and
rebut the arguments made against the
Law, and endeavoring to shew what will
be the practical benefits arising from the
adoption of this law. Our friend Of the
Spartan also anexes to his article the
name OF eighteen States besides South
Carolina, which have adopted similar
Laws. The Yorkvile Miscellany, and
Camden Journal, have each copied this
table Of States, and we presume, think
themselves fortunate that the, have such
auxiliary rs the Spartan, who is able in
formation. = We are not will
ling that those who were instrumental in
adopting this Law, and many being the
prime movers, should receive the thanks
and adulation Of the people for doing them
public service, when we believe it is
calculated to prove to be an injury
Lancaster Ledger, 2la april.
1t is not our purpose to reply to the
article from which we have made the fol-
lowing extract. II the Editor of the Led
ger had, in a spirit of candor and fairness,
transferred our article Of the 9th April, as
IL wds Vritten, to his columns, we GER
tainly should not have entertained any
apprehension as TO the result, or as the
effect upon the good people of Lancaster.
What we propose now is simply calm,
dispassionate and honest inquiry into the
main question, with sincere desire to ar
rive at just and proper conclusions.
This is the duty of all civilized Govern
ments to exercise judicious control over
the inter-dealings, the pecuniary transac-
tons, the commercial relstions and pr'-
perty-rights of the individuals composing
such Government, is proposition that
may be set down as demonstrated O. the
common sense and experience of mankind;
as no civiIised Government has ever yet
existed, by the records of history, that
did not assume and exercise such power
This wer belongs TO Government, and It's
exercise indispensable TO the well being
Of the State; not only to restrain one from
approaching the property Of another,
without the consoht Of both not only to
determine the respective rights Of conten-
ding parties; but alec 10 regulate their
commerce TO protect the unfortunate;
and TO impose restraints upon the moro
favored and powerful. What mean the
Usury Laws of South Carolina, and OF al
most every other civilized Statei Why
may not receive from my unfortunate
neighbor, whose pecuniary necessities in
duce him TO agree 10 pay 90, per cent, per
annuDs for the use Of my money! Who
has the right TO enact law 10 impair the
Obligation Of that contracti My country
has the tight, and the State has felt itself
morally bocn.. TO exercise that power, for
the resson before stStsd
In proportion 10 the discriminate, but
fearless, exercise Of this Legsias:ye power,
in dispcte Of the potency 6f wealth, and
the preiudict,:s Of any class, viii the bodyi
polite Spresorye a sound and healthy con-
stitutiop: and society its;sh realise stsadts
safe and certain progress. "ut wherever
Legislation is controlled by the sa:inposed
interest Of ciasses--whether by those who
acquire wealth by trade and traffic; or by
those who inherit q contempt Cor the poor
by the associations Of aristocratic birth
the body polite suffers; society exhibits
the symptoms Of disease and decay while