Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-12-05

ruin which timely MD might have arrested :tlt
hastene, never keeps of, the levy Of the sheriff;
when hoardedcapil true to- its instipets, reaps
profits Wbiel, legatized usury would never, exact.
The trade in money should be :.as free IA the
trade in any, other commodity. The inetaf dag
ont Of earth does not lose its original charac-
ter by the stamp Of government To the mines
1t is as much the product of his labor, rs cotton
is4te:the planter: There isoas good reason for
government TO- undertake to fx the value OF the
one. as of the other. Both are. exchangeable
commodities: and their prices should be left to
be regulated by the law Of supply. and demand.
By virtue of charters; associated capital is per.
mitted 10 realize eight, ten, and even larger Pc,
centage., Why should individual capital :Ibe
RESTRICTED; uDder,a penalty to seven per: cent
II it be question Of morals,. it is difficult: 10
comprehend: the. code. Which in the one case
s,igmalizes the individual who seeks, ten per
Cent for The use, of hs capital, as an usurcr, and
inthe other attempts 10 dignity the same practice
by eatlingit dealingin exchanges. Competition
IN money, rs in. everything else, must operate
bene6cially :pihe public at large. These lava
have been abolished in the country from which
we borrowed them, and think the example
worthy of Imitation. .......-
i recommend IN alteration of .our enclosure
laws, as measure demanded by our interest
and necessities as an agricultural people. When
timber was ABUNDANT :aDd. but little of our soil
brought into cultivation, these laws may have
been proper, but the total change which has
taken plaeein our condition, briggs along with
it q necessity fora corresponding change Of our
policy. The system should nov be reversed,
and: instead of compelling the cultivator OF the
soil to fence his crop, the" owner should DO re-
quired to enclose his stock. TilIage u our.
great interest, and should no longer be subjected
to a tax so -0nefous and unnecessary: IT. is
vastly cheaper to fence our stock than our crops.
The time land timber annually consumed Ia
building and repairing fences, (Which, fairly es-
umated wouldamount to an enormous sun, lis
40 much capital literally sunk, with no return
whatever. The products-of the soil will ma.
turo as well without rs with fences, and the law
should protect them from The depreciation of the
stock Of the: country. We are not n stock
raising people, and If we were, our present
method is the worst possible plan that could be
pursued, to accomplish the object. A change of
our policy is desirable; considered simply 'm
refeEem:e tesits effect upon stock. Their vaiuc
would, be greatly enhanced, for animals, like
human bengs, thrive ia: proportion to the care
bestowed upon them. | hazard little IN saying
that in FIVE years, under the better treatment
they would; receive. the. entire stock Of the
State would bring more money in market than
they would Mt this moment, while in the mean.
time their value as o means of enriching our
impoverished lands would be increased to m
extent almost inconeeiyable. On the other hand Il
is difficult to estimate the advantages that would
.resuIe from heproposed change. A paouidf
be put to the annual custom of burning our
forests for pasturage-a practice dangerous in
itself and injurious both to soil and timber.
Liability 10 accidents on our railroads would be
Iessened, and our courts would be rid Of The
petty, and, tear, demoralizing litigation grow
ing out Of the killing Of stock by these, roads.
The land now taken up by fences--and it is
rich, and embraces thousands of acres over tho
State, would be at once brought into cultivation.
The time now wasted in the construction and
repair of fences would be devoted to the im-
left in our forests would become money to our
people. Such law would infringe upon no
mans right nor deprive him Of n single privilege
10 which he is properly entitled. 1t would i'm.
part new life to agriculture, give new direction
to its efforts and add largely to the aggregate
wealth of the State. ! know that there are
portions of tho State that do not, and perhaps
may never, feel lhs necessity of this change Of
our policy, but is it wise or just that the great
permanent interest of the State should be sacri.
fled in nero Difference to the mistaken and er-
roneous notions of our people on the subject Of
stock raising and its supposed priYilegesa
Anapplication will BIZ adetoyou for aid, by
the State Agricultural Society. The Legislature
has wisely contributed to themedical association
and the mechanics institute. The basis Of. the
organization of This, society affords reasonable
grounds TO hope that it will be permanent; and
am sure you cannot hesitate to give substantial
encouragement to an interest which is the great
source Of our wealth, and which, without mnr.
muringc payes two.thirds of our annual taxes.
recommend the sum Of five thousand dol
lars be annually contributed to this society,,so
long az il continues 10 exist. II
The administration Of our laws in relation to
our coored population by our courts of magis-
tretes and free holders, as these courts nre at
present constituted. calls loudly for reform.
Their decisions are rarely in conformity with
justice orhumanity. l have felt constrained, in
q majority oftahe cases brought to my notice,
either to modify the sentence, or set it aside
altogether recommend, 10 all easses involving
life, that the trial of slaves and free persons Of
color be held at the court hoase' Of the district
in which the offence is committed-that the
clerk, ordinary, and sheriff of the district con-
sttute court TO try such cases. and that while
thus employed they be allowed the usual per
diem. These officers enjoy the confidence of
the community, and would be free from neigh
borhood prejudice, which too often stands in tho
way OF ofimpaftial justice. The decisions of such
tribunal woad give satisfaction to the public,
and afford ample protection to the master. 1t
would be a court always at hand, and would
possess the requisite intelligence and humanity,
qualities indispensable; in those armed with;the
power to pass upon the fesnd death of human
being, whatever be his condition or complexion.
Should you deem itproper to associate free ho
ders, then it might lie the duty of these officers
to name six, from whom the defendent should
have the right to select three. Unaniinity should
be required in the verdict However you may
regard these suggestions, bring the matter to
your notice, under the strong conviction that
reform. is necessary:
The legislation of the State in relation to COL
ored seamen has leng been a matter Of COM
plaiilt and remonstrance on the part Of foreign
nations. So strong, indeed, has been the op-
position to our laws on the subject, that at one
time formal proceedings were instituted by the
British Government to test their validity. 'Tha,
attempt to coerce the State into a relaxation oi
policy deemed to be unauthorized and unns.
oessarHy stringent; was soon found To be an i'll.
advised movement, and the proceeding were
abandoned Us formally as they were instituted
The right of. the State to enforce, within hel
limits, such police laws as she may deem essen
! tiai TO the public safsy, rs right which South
Carolina will never submit to the arbitramsnt o.
any tribunal on EARTH She does not hold thi:
right by virtue Of written parchments, and sht