Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-11-30

8 Nd EppoK: As he Convention is now in SEES
son, feel tiny 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-
BILE paper aud elsewhere and while much has been
written in opposition, am panied to see so little IN
faveT of some means Of relief for class Of people
who 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 some
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
patty touching the class for which such laws are
intended. Your correspondent ~" 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 PRESENT. We have
facts to deal with One fact is, that our people, "a
large majority l 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 above the horizon the dark cloud
of civil war that now overspreads the land. Ii
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 homelessP 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 bareooted children and
their debtors swapping their fingers in their faces,
&c. Now, l 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 a time like this
do not refer to the note shaver with 33t 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 well brushed coat and stiff shirt collar. If
this class demands especial care and sympathy,
who is to take care of the man who Gmprudently
IL may be, but with honest intentions bought land
in flush times to provide home for his family !?
He pays what little moley he can raise and gives
his note tor the balance. The war comes upon him.
He has worked hard and made many improvements
on the premises. Suppose he is pressed his note
what becomes of him? This is large class.
Money lenders note shavers, and those "a large
class) interested in collecting their claims, the
opponents generally of stay law. | have heard
the remark made when something appeared in favor
of such measure, "Pll bet he's some fellow in
debt l honestly believe if the sherifS, 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 remark made by very
honest man some time ago, when he expected his
roperty to be forced into market at cash sale
that if everything he had 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 a CON-
prehensive view of the matter. say let the people
sustain the government, and let the government
protect the people. | believe there should be a
special act that negro should be forced into mar
ket during the continuance of the war. | was
called on yesterday by lad with message from
his father to know if could let him have $3.50.
| asked what the matter He said the sheriff
had levied on all of Uncle IS negroes, and if
the money not paid they would have to be taken to
town Monday to be sold. This Uncle has been in
the army since June, ard is at this time dangerous
ly i'll, as | am informed at Manassas. j.