Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-12-04
For the Standard.
THE STAY LAW


Mn. EDIroR:-As the Convention is now in ses
sion, feel it my duty to say word to you about
the stay law. have read with interest everything
that have met with on the subject in your valua-
bic paper and elsewhere, and while much has been
written in opposition, am panied to see so little in
favor of some means of relief for class of people
who are unfortunately in debt at this terrible juno
ture, many of whom are serving as common soldiers
in the army of the Confederate States pretend
not to say that the law of the last session of our
Legislature is the law for the times, but that
such law is necessity do assert l am unable to
see how any man can take different position with
out evincing want Of either information or SYM
pathy touching the class for which such laws are
intended. Your correspondent 3D." Of Person, is
the only writer in my opinion, who has handled this
subject like man of sense and feeling. What is
the use of fine spun theories on the operations of
stay laws at time like the presently We have
facts to deal with One fact is, that our people, "a
large majority, | mean) are more or less in debt.
When the debts they now owe were contracted
they were not apprised that men in high places
were plotting dissolution of the Union. They
did not then see above the horizon the dark cloud
of civil war that now overspreads the land. If
they had, they would have shuddered at the idea
Of debt. Unexpectedly these men are called upon
to leave everything and dear to them and take
up arms in their country's defence. Now sir, when
these men return f ever shall they find that foe
as bad or worse than the one they have been facing
has devastated their homes, and that their wives
and children are homeless2 In heavens name
say no. But the opponents of the law tell US of
large class OF individuals whose means consists in
notes, and talk about their barefooted children and
their debtors swapping their fingers in their faces
&c. Now, would like to know, if men who are
sharp enough to turn their property into money
when property is mp, and live upon the interest,
are not generally smart enough to take care of
themselves and their children at time like this !?
do not refer to the note shaver with 334 per cent
written in every lineament of his face, but to the
man who lends his money at lawful interest and
calls around annually or perhaps semi-annually,
with we'll brushed coat and stiff shirt collar If
this class demands our especial care and sympathy,
who is to take care of the man who (imprudently
IL may be- but with honest intentions bought land
| in flush times to provide home for his family !?
He pays what little mo.ey he can raise and gives
his note for the balance The war comes upon him.
He has worked hard and made many improvements
on the premises. Suppose he is pressed on his note,
wha. becomes Of him? This is large class.
Money lenders, note shavers, and those "a large
class) inter ested in collecting their claims. the
| opponents generally of stay, law. l have heard
| the remark made when something appeared in favor
| of such measure, "Tll bet he's some fellow in
debt l honestly believe if the sheriffs, deputy
sheriffS and constables turned loose upon the
people at this time that it would produce revolu-
ton and who could blame the class, whom it is
well known are doing most Of the hard work in
this war. | heard Of a remark made by very
honest man some time ago. when he expected his
| property to be forced into market at cash sale,
that if everything he had was to be sacrificed at
time like this, he would as soon that Lincoln had it
as any body else. This is wrong; but what better
should we expect of people who cannot take com.
prehensive view of the matter Isay let the people
sustain the government, and let the government,
protect the people l believe there should be a
special act that no negro should be forced into mar
ket during the continuance of the war; I was
called on yesterday by lad with message from
his father, to know if l could let him have $3.50
| asked what was the matter. He said the sheriff
had levied OF all of Uncle IS negroes, and il
the money is not paid they would have to be taken te
town Monday to be sold This Uncle has been ir
the army since June ard is at this time dangerous
ly i'll, as am informed, at Manassas. j.