Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-07-15
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
THURSDAY MORNING, JULY IA, h7""'
THE PROPOSED NEGRO EXEMPTION LAW.

tion In the issue of july T. there s inser'eu c'e :" WI
Baylors written from Holly Springs MISS anu ofS'a!
published in the Memphis Appeal; anu '"'s ,'o"sa 'p'
and the new view enforced by leading edi'ofa' We
sert the letter in this paper.
rh. n,ono.;,, of nI, Baylor s tina, more negro
= r. aaa.sio, of each owner should be exempted
from sale under legal process for debt ih's q. 'eas' '
,oo,;on which we give the project alter weighing
be aoor of hs language and the puriott o inc arRues
,,oved The proposition announced Is simply Inc eS-
n,ion Of negro property om SALE but this general hess
il limited and modified BY the subsequent remarks.
o object of this innovation afford permanence and
stability 10 the institution OF slavery and TO arrest domestic
scod and foreign agitation the subject by enslns on
its The interests and sentiments OF all classes Al me
South; by enargng the cass of slave holders ana ny Sc
cnrnp the ownership of slaves 70 the wealthy classes
We sympahze most cordially with MI Baylor ana 'he
gentlemen for whom he speaks in the object which they
have in view but we concur with Them IN recoens
ing the efficiency or sucency Of the proposed measures
We would zealousy Join in giving effect 10 any plan which
would SUPPRESS abolition render harmless which would
terminal agitation the subject of slavery and aay any
discord real or supposed between shareholders and non
ala yehoders al the South but cannot perceive that these
results would be obtained by Mr.. Baylors law we VIII
proceed TO give for this relief but before doing
So we the liberty of expressing our very great re-
oe ,ha, any advocate OF the South should have been either
ton improper motives nearly all who might dissent from
his views be unwilling unable TO admit the cogency OF
his reasou II is saving clause but one Of doubtful
favor is added under which might claim shelter but IN
novel; and certainly very doubtful line OF policy which is
barely suggested and is in respect developed or appre
caled in lis multarious bearings 10 what s said by HIM
self the subject II is hasy and lnudclous procedure
PREJUDICE the possible grounds Of opposition and To as.
sign criminal intention dissent This error may how
ever We been due to haste and does affect the real
merits Of the question: which we will offer lew re-
marks.
IAN questions OF general policy must be determined with
steady reference both the interests OF society aud tc
rights OF individuals In respect The former cnnno,
perceive they would be materially advanced by The pro
posed measure 4nd suspect that they might bs scrousy in
jured II, regard TO the latter think that law affect
ing the general and existing rights OF creditors can be con-
stutionay JUSTLY leglInatey enacted without nn en-
lire and complete change Of the whole law OF debtor aud
creditor for which Mr. Baylor would not be an advocate
and for which modern societies. al the South az elsewhere
certainly prepared We see no good reason or 'e
specal exemption Of any particular kind o! property from
sale under legal procsssuness be the oos and nipple
men,s OF mans ordinary labor and the limited spot oi
land on which his family resides All other exemptions ure
under modern system, perncious-hecausc they are
clearly an infringement The existing rights of creditors
are calculated introduce disorder chcaney, and fraud IN
TO all business relations Nor is II by any means apparent
,ha, The favor proposed be accorded the afflicted and
needy would any acceptable easonab benefit 10 them
II all The property of debtor Is sold under execution ex
cep his TWO negroes the retention oi these may OF
may be benefit him. according 10 The nature OF his
own employment and the condition OF his family He may
not be in condition TO avail himself of their services, ht
may be unable TO support them without bring then
Il, bat IrbI,n
bu! there another question which here presents itself
It's necessary incident of slavery that The laws be
gulaed operate for the protection and advantage OF The
slave III the same time tina, they sustain he rights Of hf
owner This is duty apussd The slaye holding cass
by the very n-itcton Of slavery which transfers this care
from the slave 10 his master and 10 the class OF masters
Now, what would be the effect of Mr. bayofs law on ihI
slaves themselves II would throw large proportion o.
them into the hands Of unable TO employ them pro
lably unable support tem and would perpetuale he
ownership when perhaps The prope,os might either abuse
misuse the slaves what Is more probable be compelled
10 Give them unlimited license Of providing for them
selves in any they might think proper Thus, not
only would the condition, material and moral, OF sucl
slaves be greatly deeriorated but class OF negroes con-
san,y increasing under the operation Of The law would be
permanently established in the bosom Of Southern com
munites dcgcnerang into depravty themselves, and excr
csng corruping Influence the slave population al
urge by which they might be surrounded. They would
FORM in some measure privileged class among slaves
while usually the least entitled such privileges, and would
excite envy for the absence OF restraint While hey nsh
elicit only contempt for their Inherent worhlessness.
Thus we are led back from the effects OF The proposed
upon individuals its probable influence upon SO
cey IL would disorder The slave population, at the same
time that 1t would produce conpensaliug benefits IL
would dsorganlze the existing relations OF commercial and
1
agriculture For observe that, in the principal slave hold.
ing States in The countries which form the peculiar and
appropriate >lveabor the possession Of one or
slaves of little profit except under peculiar circumstances
or for the purpose Of domestic comfort and convenience
cotton rice sugar plantation requires large number oil
neRroes cannot be cultivated without hem-he negroes
happier and better placed such the
agricultural operations performed with efficiency and
greater public profit The interests Of society therefore,
qure ha, save aborers should be isoa and dis
pesed by and wos under the operation of any arf
cial legislation
Thus ii appears TO our mind the proposed
would be neither poor mans law rich mans law,
slavery law; bu adverse in its workings the ine
rests of all classes and the whole body of Southern So
ciey.
We think, 100, that would neither olay any existing
dssension al the South, abae abvonsm at The North
For notwithstanding the advantages supposed 10 attach 10
OF negro, If secured In the manner PROPOSED
ose who may be abolonsts in midst would not
oe imposed 10 purchase negroes their condition
oca'ohs and means would lead seek profit in
a oeeoh II there any such Southern aboiiionists
o We "e''"er assert nor deny the fact-lhcy prnc
pV " oe ouhu IN he town populations and do
.o "e agricultural class. Indeed their aboitionism may
be traced much an Win Tho o,;cpnral
interest al large or TO wealth in general Than n
and specific hostility to slaveryiIs.f
Ths law would not arrest but rather embter foreign ae
taon because it would attack The pecuns,v ,ooo,o os
Northern and other creditors the South a,d ,rod >,
the time furnish ;hem much more ayoil,hi oxcr.
for their mock philanthropy than they bv crb
biting the wretchedness deprayiy and deterioration Of
large number Of negroes in the hands o persons too
support them or not in condition employ their labor
t.Hith advantage.
II be feared that the apdabe zeal Of Mr. Baylor and
other Southern gentlemen for the suppression of slavery
agitation led them hastily into The adoption of
chmercal remedy aud one which abors under the further
disadvantage of being too obviously and Immediately