Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-05-25

$40 square miles, or IN many other States whcr
the Judicial subdivisions are less than Une-thir
the size Of Edgefeld; still we hear no complaint
of increased litigation in those States, dispro
= portioncd 10 the territory, wealth and popula
: tion of their respective Counties, nolwithsland
ing the further fact, that the small Coun,ie.
there have Inferior and Municipal Courts to share
the jurisdiction of the higher Courts. Thos,
who press this argument against small Districts
forget that population and property are the CHIEF
clements OF litigation, not territory 1t speaks
badly for the citizens of Edgefeld village; and
for those who live near there, if they are over
fond OF the laws veXation because Of Their prox.
unity to the Court House. Wonder ii the wor-
thy planters who inhabit within ten or twelve
miles of the various Court Houses in the State
feel themselves much faltered by the argument
hope some one will inform the public whether
the citizens of Charleston or of New York who
are always in sight of two or three Court
Houses, have either the time or she inclination
to sue every man that looks cross-cyed at them
and then enjoy the luxury of attending Court
to prove it,
But suppose small Districts do increase liti.
cation, because their citizens all dwell nearer to
Court House than the inhabitants of II large
District, is the point when yielded cnablc III.
gument against the reduction of our large Dis
trcts! Is it greater evil for men to settle
their difficulties IN the Court House, than to ad-
Just them out Of it, by taking the law into their
own hands, or by living without law? have
always understood, that the first, the last and
the only object of a free State, should bo 10 ad-
minister Justice; to protect the rights of the
poorest and humblest citizen; to punish the
wicked and redress the injured for crerv viola
ton of law it possible. 1t is, therefore, feeble
logic and wholly inconsistent with enlightened
government, that about one half of our people
Should submit TO wrongs, because forsooih the
other halt, who chance to live near the Court
House, may be in the practice of having every
difficulty arranged by Judge and Jury, who are
The most proper persons ut any time, for COM
posing disputes, about personal or property
rights. If it be wise to interpose obstacles 10
the administration of justice, why then the more
that are iterposcd the better for the people and
We should have but one Court House for the |
whole State, instead of twenty-nine. 1t is the
difficulty, delay and expense of getting Justice |
at their disdant Court Houses, that so often
produce the summary laws, trials and executions
Of "Captain Lynch" and other "Rcgulators'
OF society on the frontier of civilization in the
far West. Which is preferable TO decide quar-
rels by litigation, or by fights and murders az
We sometimes do in Edgefeld?
There is last proposition, which will knock
down and knock the life out of the objection to
small Districts, that they increase litigation. 1t
Is thls and hope the reader will repeat it to
himself again and again-that mne-tenLhs of the
business donc al q ConH House has nothing 10
10 ciM W1gatioa or is intended 10 prcrem Htiga-
tion Many of the men who visit EdgeieId
Court House go there by compulsion as public
officers. such us Magistrates, ConstabIes, Mana
gers Of election, Free School Teachers, Com
nissioncrs Of the District Boards, and about $40
Jurors are annually summoned to attend our reg s
llar Courts. Hundreds of others must 20 10 the (
Court House to qualify, or make returns as s
Guardians, Executors, Administrators or Trus- ,
ees, and to examine into the conduct of these /
idurary persons. When man desires to know Fl
whether there is n judgment, mortgage settle r
ncnt or entailment upon property that he wish I
s to purchase, he must" 60 to the Court House." =
'ecauSe such information can only be had by
Inspecting the public Records or general news.
aper of the District If one would confer with
Lawyer concerning any matter whatever, and
oley with view to prercnt litigation, he must
20 to the Court House." If he would bid for
r buy property at Sheriff sale, he must 20 TO :.
nc Court House" If he would know any thing .
his District, its people, their sentiments man a.
ers feelings, customs, habits, interests, &c. he NJ NJ
lust $50 10 the Court House" and 20 frequent /
. In short, if he would learn, obey, or enforce CT
~ ta h" % 8nit i'd WGrt else, IS w;s demonstrated in
lumber w. The eridcnce of ones willingness to cl
Dcy law, or of his acts in having done so must NJ
, deposited with the proper officer of Court. bc
oluntary obedience to law is the general rule, n
I'd litigation is the exception. Therefore, Court III
ouses are established not so much for liliga- ;n
on, as they are for affording the means of or -,
lickly, chcaply, and easily obeying the law. y" ~"
an any man hold up his head and say seriously ~
at snch means as these are now afforded to
lIf the people of EdgcGcld! How many Of
c nnumerablc visits to our Court House, re- v
lire day 10 go, perhaps day TO remain and N
day to return, besides the expense. These -, -,
sits must be made at all seasons of the year, 80
.rchance in the most cold rainy or unfricndly .
Gather Who will undertake to deny the fact Nj
at very many of our distant farmers have
ught constitutional diseases and even their
.alls by frequent journeys to their Court
ouSc for the purpose of voluntarily obeying OIL
c law! Then away away! with the frivolous OF
,jeclon that small Districts increase litigation sly
$ enemies must seek 0ihcr cause Of opposi- no
IN TO the division of Edgeticd fol