The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-12-18

Legislature to prevent the collection of debts by
sale of property under execution for the term of
years Many suppose that such law would have
a bad effect rather than beneficial one, and that
it would injure those in debt more than any other
class of persons. 1t would certainly have the effect
to weaken or destroy confidence and limit accom-
modations by banks and individuals. A writer in
the Wilmington Herald thus speaks of the matter:
ave notice with much surprise, that the sub ject
of general Stay Law, has already been brought
before the Legislature of North Carolina There
may be necessity for such law, but | confess to
the obtuseness-lc can't see the necesSity-nor am
prepared to admit the justice of any law that shall
act so materially to the injury of one class of our
people, while at the time its passage will con-
fer but little no benefit in the end, to the other
The question is between deb.or and creditor. The
result of the proposed stay law will be simply to
put off the day of payment-rot to cancel the obl-
cation. And how can this be done? Security
WILL of course, be required, and instead of one be-
ing responsible, two will owe the debt
Now what will besthe result? Who will take
advantage of such law? Certainly no one who
desires to and can pay his debts. But the door
will be opened, and perhaps, many who had never
intended to take the advantage will not resist the
invitation so universally extended In times like
these, other States are looking anxiously to the
"Old North" Her Bonds DO now maintain the
highest figure, compared with other States-her
merchants hold enyiable position everywhere
among financial circles-her conservatism-her
long-tried reputation for keeping her credit in
violate; and withal, her "sober second thought"
way of doing things has placed her upon an emil
nence from which not one of US would, for any con-
sideration, her secede step. But, sir, pass
the stay law, and, in my humble opinion, we strike
a blow that our people, our State, will not soon
cease to feel to their sorrow"
1t is probable that such law would be pronounc-
ed unconstitutional 1t certainly could relieve
the debtor of obligations previously made, for the
Constitution of the U. S. says that ''no State shall
pass any post facto t0w, or law impairng the
obligation of contracts.
P. S.-We see that the committee in the House
of Commons, to whom the stay bill was referred
have reported against its passage
Bezg-That portion of Gov. Ellis message in regard
to federal relations has been generally endorsed by
the public meetings either directly or indirectly
The message has been denounced, by few, as
disunion document but we do not view it in that
light, and neither do the people so construe it 1t
proposes calm and deliberate measures for concert
of action between southern States in maintaining
our rights in the Union if possible, out of it if ne
cessary Even the extreme Union men agree to
that, though some of them refuse to publicly en-
dorse it because it comes from Gov. Ellis. There
is nothing in the message to Justify the charge
that the Governor is hasty disunonist. The re-
solutions introduced in the Senate by Hon. Bed
ford Brown in accordance with the Governors
recommendations and We believe no one looks upon
them as having improper disunion tendencies
The NORTHERN MAIL arrives now at o'clock
P. NJ. We are requested by the Postmaster to
say that the Post Office will be kept open, after
the opening of the mail, until half past 9 o'clock.
After that time, papers or letters will net be de-
livereG.
COFFEE.-By advertisement it will be seen that
o. G. Parsley & Co., of Wilmington, have for sale
3 900 bags of Coffee, imported direct from Rio
Janero. Now is the time to encourage direct i'm
portations. .@...
BsE~ The Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Cobb,
having resigned, Philip F. Thomas ESQ., late COM
missioner of Patents, has been appointed in his
place. It is stated that the position rendered
to Hon. J.. OBJ. Branch of this State
Mr. Cobb has written long letter advising Sc
cession We have as little faith in Mr. Cobb now
as we had in 1851 when he played the demagogue
for the Union.
Mr. Clay of Ala, has rendered his resignation as
U. S. Senator, to take effect the 4th Of March
unless Alabama should seeede before that time.
Bsg> The foreign news reports Cotton in Liver
pool as irregular in price, with slight advancing
The English papers seem to think that
the Union will be preserved, and they discuss the
subject generally with indifference.
THE COLLECTION OF THE REVENUE War the
COnsequemce.-The Milledgeville correspondent of
the Savannah News, says:
"One universal voice of condemnation of the
idea of collection of revenue in South Carolina in
of secession, by force Of arms, has arisen. All
agree that if Mr.. Buchanan should commit such
crime against State sovereignty, that Georgia will
stand bv South Carolina to the bitter end"
1t remains to be seen whether the Federal Gov
eminent will attempt this coercve measure. If it
will be in a blaze Of war South Carolina will do
all in Ter power to avoid collision, and, if no at
tempt be used to exact unlawful tribute of her, then
we are disposed to think the question of the pos
session of the forts can be settled by Commission
ers. But she will not permit either the blood or
the treasure of her citizens to be drawn by for
eign Goveran. cut Columbia Caroliniam.
WASHINGTON, Dec ia paper is being circulated
the Southern extremists for the signatures of Con-
gressmen the effect that hope is left for the Cot
States but secession and urging their constituents
to prepare for the worst The paper generally
members from the Cotton States but by few