Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-06-09
THURsDAY MORNING, JUNE 8, 1859.
NetherIand JustifieS his RecOrd.---IEIs
Homestead Vote.


NetherIand Justifies his RecOrd.---IEIs
Homestead Vote.
The Know Nothing Opposition organs think it
very undigni6ed in Gov. HARMS ts arraign METH
ERLEsD for his vote against the Exemption Law.
We have nc doubt that any reference to the record
Of their candidate is very dstasteful to them and
the man who made that record, is still dstate
full to the people.
But odieus and Objectionable ss is Col neither
LAHDs course in the Legislatures CT 81 and 80,
with reference to the protection Of the poor mans
property he has the hardihOod, even now to justi-
" and defend IT, In several Of his late speeches he
has made an argument against the wise and humane
policy Of exemption, and endeavOrs to convince the
people that the whole system isimprOper snd wrong.
In his speeches at Centreville ana Charlotte, he
argued that the exemption Of the poor mans proper
ty from liability for his debts would destroy his
credit, and he called upon any man in the crowd,
to cay whether he would screen himself from his
creditors under the provisions of thatlsW
We find John NETHEaLAND, then, after the lapse
Of many years, aud sitter the benefits Of the ex-
emption system have been fairly tested by the peo-
pie, still engng to the illiberal policy which he
formerly advocated, by which he would deprive the
his family, and check the industry of the country
by taking from the farmer and mechanic the impls
menis necessary for the performance OF their daily
labor.
Col NETHERLAxD having thus avoEed bis con-
tinued hostility 70 the exemption laws, in defending
his former votes that subject it is in vain that
bis organs attempt to excuse him under the plea
that these votes we're given many years ago. and
that he has since repented Of them Col. NETHER-
LAND himself, candidate for Governor of Tennes-
sss justices his votes and perseveres in his Oppo
sition to the policy which as a member of the LIE
RislAturs he earnestly endeavored to defeat. he
mRnfests no penitence, and promises reforms
Eion He comes before the tribunal Of popular
opinion vindicsting his course the exemption
laws, and asking an approval Of it. An endorse
msnt Of JOIN NETHKRLAND at the ballot box would
be an endorsement Of his record, and he would have
= right to claim that every man who casts his vote
1or him approves his vote against protecting the
farmers pillow snd the mechanics tools from ezecu
cution and sale
But while Col. NETHERLAND justifes his vote
against the exemption law Of 1882, he claims
great credit for his vote in favor of the Homestead
law Of 1852 His organs dwell With peculiar
pleasure this evidence Of their candidates. be-
nsvolsnt disposition towards the poor people of the
country. They regard it as 8 sufficient stOnsment
for all bis political sins. They rival the eOquence
Of quack medicine advertisements aud represent
this act as the psnscsa for all political msladIes
that ever afflicted the body polite. They snumer-
ste its virtues with al the fluent verbosity Of the
mouutsbank vending his patent nostrums. They
discuss it in detail and speak with afectiOnste
fsrvOr Of each particular merit it possesses.
They tell US tina. it ezsmpts q farm from exscu-
tiOn; IL sxsmpts a dwelling house; it exsmpts out
houses, stables, and barns, and we have expected
them to add chicken coOPs, duck puddles, horse
RACKS, and henhouses, to this formidable catalogue
Of charities which the "sweet souled" Col METH
INLAND hiss beneVolently bestowed upon the unfOr-
tunate citizen, whom he would have deprived of his
last hoe, his last pillow, and his last horse mule,
yoke of oxen.
Under the provisions of this act, for which so
much is claimed, the owner Of real estate is pro-
tscted in the possession Of his property to the value
of FIVE hundred dollars. Aud II this we're all, it
would be most beneficial in It's operation. But
fortunately the Law lie olOgged With provision re-
curing all persons who intend TO claim its benefits
70 have 3 declaration Of such intention signed,
asIled, and witnessed, and cause the same to be
registered in the Registers office of the county;
and said right Of exemption shall be only from and
after such registration In consequence Of this re-
quirement, very few persons have availed them
selves Of the provisions of the law, preferring to
secure the possession of home TO their families,
bysettling it up,n their wives aud children, which
they could do before this law passed. As the
Homestead Act nov stands upon the statute book,
It Is an innocent law; it has done any harm,
and SO far as We informed it has done any
good.
Bat even If this Homestead law accomplished
every thing that is claimed for it by Col NEITHER
LAND and his friends it furnishes no excuse or
palation for his vote the exemption Law Of 1881
1t is indeed rather an sggrsvatiOn of the outrage
that be committed against the interests Of the Ia
boring classes.
According to Col. NETEERLAND's doctrine, man
who owns farm or town lot should be protected in its
possession to the Of five hundred dollars But
the still more unfortunate man who has nothing but
his tools Of trade, his horse and his pillow, to secure
his wife and children from want by the exercise of
honest industry, would be stripped of everything
and thrown upon the cold charities OF the world,
under Col NETaERLAND's policy.
There are hundreds of honest, hard working me-
chanios and farmers in the country who own no
land, and would consequently receive no protection
under the Homestead law. It is making an unjust
and cruel discrimination against them, TO REFUSE
them the protection which is extended TO the owner
Of the soil Il indicates in Col NETHERLAND, a
hssrtlsss disregard for the rules of jusace aud the
equality of the citizen, to seek TO deprive the me-
Chanio Of his psne, and the farmer of his horse
and plOW-to strip from the most needy and dssti-
1ue oft Esns the last vssge Of property, while pro-
ssetine the land holder in the possession Of his
tate.
Ills right and proper II exempt the Homestead /
from execution absolutely and without restrictions