The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-01-30

Without; comment, We present the following
extract from the Journal of the South Carolina
House Of Representatives, On Wednesday, Jan.
%. The debs;e shows up the point to which We
would draw attention.
The bill reported before and adopted by the
House of Representatives on "Wednesday, to stay
the collection of all debts by Caroliaians to the
citizens OF non-slaveholiins States, excited an
animated discussion.
Nr. II. w. DeSaSsure protested against il as
one ct the representatives of commercial com.
munity at which interests this bill is deadly
stab. He protested against il on account OF the
evil influence il would exert on the commercial
relations in which no. Only this commercial EN-.
porium but the whole State is interested. He
protested against il the part of the citizens of
South Carolina, and for the honor and credit of
| the State. She has resumed her place among
the nation OF the earth, and TO the nations OF
he earth is she responsible fer he- transactions.
and this transactisn will 60 forth as the repudia
| ton OF those contracts and obligation which our
citizens have assumed with the citizens of the
world. 1t would put our citizens in position
| of degradation and dishonor. He protested for
| the honor of South Carolina, and in the name OF
| his constituency against the passage of the bill
Mr.. Mullins thought the gentlemen did not
| weigh his words well when he said that those
who supported the bill to put South Carolina in
a position OF degradation aud dishonor. IL was
| a hard thing TO saw of seventy-one of his col
| leagues, who had sworn To support the Constitu-
ton of tie State, that they came here 10 atliX
dishonor on the State, and that tie Palmetto
| Flag, which, but few DAYS ago, they flung to
the breeze, and pledged their honor, their for
tunes and their lives to sustain. He thought his
' Il l.. 4.
knew the pain such declaration would cause.
| But he would leave that and briefly express
the ground on which he based his own opinion
in favor of the bill, and why he thought il was
| absolutely necessary TO the safety of the main
| tenance of the present condition of the State.
| When he had done his utmost TO bring his
portion of the State up TO its present position.
| that position which he felt was for the honor
and welfare of his State, Of himself and posteri-
W; when the people urged to occupy
this position, and fling down the gauntlet, and
take the separate existence of South Carolina in
their own hands, he did not dream, nor did he
| believe any man there ever dreamed, that such
an existence and independence was to be OBJ
tanned without terrible sacrifices.
Did any dream, he asked, that commerce
was quietly to expand her sail, and the money
lover to be Interrupted in his accumulation
affairs Of families were not to be impeded
When the State took Der present position, when
the ordinances were passed few DAYS ago, by
the Convention he understood it that our al
| was at stake, our freedom, our welfare and the
question whether We to maintain that posi-
ton Is low before Us and Carolina, the mother
and mistress Of Us all. tells up To lay down oul
pursuits for wealth, To give up private interests
and summons Us To her defense She demand,
our wealth, our treasure, our life, il need be
She expects our lite blood, if need DE. Ii il il
this spirit ne calls upon the people 10 maintain
their new position.
When men were taking their position wher
they had fled from business under the bun min:
instincts OF patriotism. and an ardent desire Il
uphold the Palmetto flag. to keep bright Tia,
glorious escucheon Of the State; when they
have been summoned TO the tented field, tn,
State il hond Ia saw 10 these men. your interests
your families. your pecuniary rights shall be pro
tected until this storm is blown over.
Mr.. Shannon said his judgment did not ap
prove this measure Every honest man will pa,
his debts. He would scorn To take advantage
of law, and would sacrifice everything to NEE
his contracts. Such law as proposed by thu
bill would benefit dishonest men rather than hon
est men. lie viewed tfisa matter OF patriotism
in which he believed the people of South Caro-
lima would scorn to take advantage of such a law
Mr.. Boylston regarded it as the most unforu
nate piece of legislation ever passed upon by Ih'
Legislature.
, What is the honor of the States What is tn
honor Of a man: You cannot put your finge
upon it. 1t is the sense in which man look
one way and another. 1t did strike him, how
ever, that the effect of such legislation as thi
was likely to prove disastrous. His friend Mr.
Mulliusl had said that this measure was intende,
to protect their sons. To protect them iron
what? From paying their debts? Following
out this view, we have undertaken to say to tn
1 creditor that inasmuch a. We have undertakes
| TO be an independent people, we have undertake.
this independence of our debts also
Tie bill finally passed the House by vote G
ayes 81, nays 81