The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-12-31

ubtI IOI ucDt. IL tue pIiuSIpic VI cASiuptiDs
from attachment is good for anything at oil,
it is good to the extent Of allowing him
home, place where he may shelter his fam
lily, piece Of that earth in which nature
intended every man should share. There
should, Of course, be limit to the exemp
ton. But in the agricultural districts, ex.
empt enough that the farmer may produce
his bread and meat, and something to spare.
II he beauties and adorns it, so much the
better let him have it. II he puts on good
fences and neat, comfortable buildings, bet
ter still let him keep them. Encourage
him to continue in his improvements, and
add to the wealth and beauty of your State.
and to the means for the support Of your
government. In the meantime, he win be
increasing his wants, and ut the same time,
enlarging his means 10 pay for what he
wants. He is not fearful that bis farm is
to be turned over TO a stranger, and he
labors with an industrious hand and a
strong heart The future of his life has no
tcrrors for him. and he becomes more Gle.
waited in his own estimation, and more
faithful citizen, and an honester man. Such
man will pay ii he can. Having the
means to pay, he will do So Is it not in
the long run better for all, debtor creditor
and everybody else, to allow man so stu.
ated to remain Us he is, accountable to his
creditors for the surplus OF his earnings only.
Imagine. il you please, that each leo acres
OF land in Dakota county, outside Of the vii
lagos. is fashioned into a productive farm by
a man who resides upon it with his family.
Suppose each farm, so cultivated. to have a
good sci Of buildings, with such modern i'm.
proyements as add to convenience and save
expense. Suppose each farm to he worth
eight or ten thousand dollars. Now, | adj
nit il these men have incurred debts upon
the credit which these farms gave them. if
it was mutually understood that the credi
tor had lien upon the farm for payment of
his dues, II should b. carried out in good
faith.
But let US suppose once more that each
and every one Of the farms referred 10 arc
exempt from attachment. and that the law
has no power TO arrest them from their
owners. What would be the condition of
that county! How would its credit stand
What would its County Orders be worth on
the dollar! How would the merchants and
1t seems to me that such county would be
pattern for the world. II seems to me,
and have no doubt that debts in such a
county, whether public or private, would
be more promptly paid than they can ever
be. when every man under adverse circum
stances is liable to be turned in the street.
Exempt from attachment to-day, the
amount OF land mentioned. and you will ere
long find in your whole State some approx
nation to the state OF things which | have
supposed ir single county. say approx
imation because il cannot be supposed that
every individual will turn out to be man.
Some would lack the sense and some would
lack the industry to do aught for themselves.
Such men must always be servants.
But that the amount OF wealth in our
State would, by such a law be enormously
increased, and especially that individual hap
piness would be- greatly extended, have no
manner Of doubt
Again, il would add to the stability Of
government. That portion OF the people
who own the real estate and arr secure in
il, are never the men who desire TO disturb
the existing Government. Their safety de-
ponds upon good order and they may al
WAYS he relied upon IN their support Of the
laws under which they live. Ensure a man
home that will afford him refuge in
the day OF need, and yOu will find never him
traitor to his country nor violator of its
laws. You would by such l.w, increas,
the number and add to the perfection Of your
school houses and ,hersby enlarge the gen
eral intelligence OF the people. iou would
take large numbers oi good men from the
strong arm which governs poverty and
make them independent voters in word,
you would do much by such law :, in.
crease the property, the power and the hap
pincss OF the people Of your state, and
what is Of lar more consequence in the long
lapse of time, you would do much to equal
ize them.
1t has often been said that legislation 10
favor OF exemption from attachment is
alone for the benefit OF the dishonest.
While public opinion shall obIige a man 10
pay debt with the roof that covers his
wife and children, and the little spot Of
ground which has furnished them with nour-
ishment, there may be something in the
charge. But public opinion will chang
ment, with as much certainty as that truth
will prevail over error. All agree ,ha,
something belonging TO man and biz fam
lily should Dc saved from execution. Nootn
would dream If taking personal clothing
and other necessary articles OF property arr
exempt. almost by common consent. Wherc
shall he the dividing line between what shall
h. subject 10 execution and what shall w.
exempt! The truth IS not often found IN
the extremes. AID my opinion is taat thu
time will come when every head OF iami
ly. male of female, will be entitled by las o.
hold such a home. in .pite Of d, b,, as with
common industry vi. maintain themselves
and their offspring.
II this is dwelling doctrine, j; i eyel.
ling up. II il such dwelling as las beer
going on 10 ,bis government since the lard
Tag Of the Atlantic Colonies aud such a.