Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-12-11
THE REVISED CODE.

... COMMUNICATED
INK NEw CODR.-EditOr Of tG. Star:-PIease
permit me 10 say one word In reply to "Justitfa p
~uo ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS perhaps I should
saS-oissatisned with the provisions of the new
Code respecting 'interest" He calls it ..usury. y
out We will not differ about that, as the word
usury really meant nothing more in old times
than compensation for the use of money
one might almost think, from the style and
Tenor OF his remarks, that '.Justitia" would pre-
nlodlhcations and improvements of the present
age OF the light OF science, which christianity
and civilization have suggested
bur, ne seems to forget that the interest laws
Vi tue Mosaic code were enacted for peculiar
religious sect, and for none else; whereas, our
Code Is intended for people Of all religious per-
snasions; and for people of no religious persua-
'stons also He forgets, moreover that the Israel
ties were permitted to take usury, and that with
out stint, too, from all but those of their own
persuasion and d" Justitia" denominaies this a
law OF God forgetting, again, that the great
Head OF the Christian Church, who was greater
than Moses, and likewise his apostles taup hit
That Tod Is - no resprcter OF persons - believe
Christ rather than Moses; therrfyre must con :
clude, had God forbade the taking of Interest II
there would have been no exception as to ,ien-
Ties ana strangers, for they also were his chill
dTen, and he Is - no respecter of persons y God
would never forbid the doing Of a thing as a
wrong thing when done to one man, but allow il
to be done to another man as right and proper
thing His laws are one with all men To make
him partial God-laying down rules for his peo-
pie which Justify them In one course of conduct
towards one person. and the opposite course to-
wards another, Is to rob him OF that character
and thai nature which Jesus and his apostles
have declared are his
Jesus and his Apostles never forbade the Ia king
OF usiry- And "Justitian forgets also that il was
not for taking usuFy that Jesus drove the money
changers from the tsmple, but because they were
converting the House of God into 4 commercial
exchange.
And why is it worse to take Just compensa-
non Tor the use OF money, than for the use of
horse, or negro, or a house?
Besides this, il is well known to business
people that wherever an open and fair competi-
ton has been permitted TO bankers and brokers
tue rate OF interest has fallen; and that the usuv
ia"s nave no effect but to injure honest men
j They keep honest bankers in the rear OF Others
ana VIII not prevent honest borrowers from pay
ing nsury AZ they promise, in good faith
know OF none who profits by the usury laws
ont a man who disregards his plighted honor
Soch man VIII 90 To a banker, and, urged, per-
haps, by desperate circumstances will readily
agree TO pay three, nav, even five per cent Der
month Tor a few hundred dollars on short time
ana which the banker deems il necessary 10 de-
mand, considering the circumstances the risks
DC he has TO run, and after pied Q ing his honor
TINS borrower pockets the money, and then with
the horror of good christian at 80 great a crime
an the banker-not in himself, Of cOurse-pIeads
the usury law against his benefaetor, and Piously
keeps the money in his own pocket
AS TO Solomon-who xeeTns to be Justitia's
HagHbs Apoilo-had the codifiers taken him for
their guide they should have adopted his Nor
monism for the District of Columbia
For my own part, think the provision COM
planned of by Justitia good one, and believe il
VIII wofk'weil. Yours, &c, F.