The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-08-29
For the Lancaster Ledear

pair tho obligations Of contracts. And
TIE Coust would necessarily set aside any
la~ that could be passed on the subject.
And were we to disregard these funds
mental principles which ARE the basis oi
all good government. our galIan, little
Province would soon 30 at sea in very
,empesluous weather. 70 your souod
and correct legal and constitutional views,
lnow propose presenting the aspects and
bearings Of the subject as they appear
from MORAL STAND POINT. IN fact, our
tirst inquiry on al subjects Ought to be,
is 1t in accordance with the principles Of
revealed morali,yi A, least, Ms soon as
~e'have asked is i, la,efuis our mex, In
quiry should be is it right!
There is an old volume written many
years ago by different men in different
ages and countries. Nevertheless Il is
characterized bv the unity Of It's ssnti,
ments and The harmony Of it's doctrines.
1t aboun9s with wholesome and impor.
tant instruction on great variety Of sub.
jects. On the shelves Of some 1t is per.
mitted to accumulate the dust Of weeks.
Nevertheless, il contains the wisdom of
years and tho experience Of ages. Willis,
looking into its sacred pages I found val
liable Information on the subject OF the
payment Of debts. whether they be ante
or post war.
One f the writer's Of this book, an
aged. learned aud experienced man. and
n man Of unboundinc integrity inculcatss
this prscepts "O~s no man anything '
This injunction does no, prohibit the il
curing Of pecuniary debts: but requires
An honest and faithful di.charge e all
such obligations. Christians ought to
attend most scrupulousIy to this injunc
ton. It isa great injury TO men and
reproach TO christianity. when the ser.
wants Of God neglect this duty. "Ths
wicked borro~eth and psys,h not agaiu" +"
Again the same writer else ewhsrs d..
livers this prec-pt: "whstsosver things
are tue. Whatsoever things NJ. Aonest,
whatsoever things are gust. whatsoever
things are toveiy, whatsoever thinrs are
Of good report, think on these ,hinr.."-
Let them lie tho OF i-c, Of your careful
attention and study SO NJ to practice
them. Now. would It oe true, or honest,
or just. or lovely, or promo,. COED rep
utdtion to ask the Legislature to csuceI
jus, obligations: or so to postpone pay.
ment as to i"jnre or ruin the creditor D
Would il correspond with tho above in.
junction TO en,rammsl the collection of
debts till the property liable IN consumed.
or converted into an intan
gibis fnrmi There should be mutual
forhearancs between debtor and creditor
hu, no canc-lling. or legislative unmmL
ing without mutual consent.
But in this same old book We find "a
corded by another pennap iha following
precept "All things whatsoever ys
would that men should do TO you. do 70
even SO to them" Now, gentlemen, If
owe YOU. aud you can sincerely and
kuly desire me to procure Some lspisla,
ton hy which you will he seriously in
jured and ! will bs benefited, then, you
have the right to call for legislative inter.
position. But II you wish me to GO 70
work and be energetic and frugal ill IA.
deb, is paid, that is Just what you ana
all others should d" i in debt. Try your
own case fairly and honestly and the yer.
dict you would render in your own case ::
let the ssmS be given. IL the case be 70
versed.
A more profound jurist thsa Black
stone. a greater philosopher than Bacon
and more experienced Legislator than
Jusnnian or L,curgus has issued this
mandate, thou shalt not steal Wha,
10 stsalingi It is receiving aud using the
property OF aLo.hsr wi,host compsusa-
ton or tonseut. Whst is forbidden by
this corr r.sadmsnt I Whatsoever doth
or may unjus,ly hinder our neighbo,'s
wealth or outward estate. Placing legis
lstivs obs,ruetious in the way Of our
nsigbbor's estate would he mani.ss, vio,
Iation Of this precsp,. But says an ob
jec,or, will il no, injurs the wealth OF
outward estate of the debtor BY r.quir
ing psymen,i Il may be : bvt he did
il Mnsseif by going in debt What does
this commandment require The lawful
procuring and fur,he'ine the ~salib and
outward es,xts Of Others rs we'll a. ihs,
Of ourselves. Hpw are veto further the
wealth Of ourselves Not by Withhold.