The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-06-19
THE REPUD1ATIoN QUESTION.


In some way an impression has prevailed that
Ex-Gov Holden, the Editor Of the Raleigh
Standard, favors repadiation. In Justice to that
gentleman, we copy the following article from
the Standard, by which it will be seen that he
emphaticaby denies being repudIator
From, the Standard of June 12h. -
We take the liberty of making the following
extract from a letter just received from friend,
on a subject which is exciting much attention
ar this time. We can assure our friend that we
are not repudstor. Any report that we are
a repudlator, or tbat We would advise either H.
dividuals or the State to act dishonesty, Is un-
founded 1t is better to be poor and honest,
tina. To he rich and dishonest and mean. But
tie people are demanding relief from the bur
dens that are pressing them down. Our sym
natbies are with the people, and we wish We
couId see some mode of relieving them. No
mode has yet been suggested which meets our
anproval 1t should be remembered that the
creditor is entitled to as much consideration as
tbe debtor. What is wanted is time, and some
reasonable assurance that The principal, at least,
of debts will in the end be realized. Time, in
dustry, and economy, with restored Union,
cannot fail to produce good results. But until
the Union shall have been restored we cannot
hope Cor that confidence between man and man,
and that enterprise in business which arc SO
necessary IL a general state of prosperity
Every thing depends a restoration OF the
Union. If the present state Ut things politically
should be definitely continued, we may look
for the incoming and prevalence Of almost
every evil The wanderer must get back to the
'old Homestead" before he can take new start
in the great business of life =.
1t has been charged that the Senior Editor OF
this journal wants Office, and that he fa'ors
what is called reputation in order to obtain IT,
The charge is false We would not do wrong
deliberately, or sacrifice principle or abandon
what We believe to be right, tor all the ohces
in America. Our enemies may believe this or
not, just as they choose. We do not seek TO
propitiate our enemies. We could not DO 1t II
we would, for the plain reason thatthe'r ennity
is founded in prejudice and not in reason, aud
it is not possible to propitiate or influence those
who are controlled by their prejudces Presl-
dent johnson tolG the colored people of the LIS
trict of Columbia, no waited on him recently
that time would show he was the best friend
they bad ever had We say the same to Those
of the people of this State who are preJudleeo
against us Time will show that we have
served them faithfully, as we have warned them
faithfully, and that they never had more SIN
cere or unselfish friend than he who traces these
lines. They may not see this nov, but we tear
they may feel it when it is too late to apply ne
remedy. Restore the Lnion! That is the trst
great panacea for all our ills.
"The time has arrived, 10 my humble opln-
ion, when no man should connive at Reputation
of just individual Indebtedness. The time has
come when it behooves every man OF moral
honesty and worth to put his foot squarely
down on every thing that smells of such repu.
diation, either by direct or indirect legislation
Show me the justice in allowing one man to re.
tain his wealth, or competency, if you please
when, by such a course of legislation, you i'm
poverish his creditor. Many men can pay their
Indebtedness, In part, at least, without saie-and
would do so, but for the already existing stay
law Let me state some points 10 my own case,
which facts. My sons are "a, home: at work,
and have debtors whose children are at Chapel
Hill, and other colleges and VINO live in style
that | cannot afford | have debtors who are
merchants, going North twice year, and buy
goods with cash-and the same men won'tp
me dollar in fact, cannot, Though | have
a considerable amount due me) collect enough
to answer my Immediate necessities. am IN
duced to write you, in this homespun style, as
it is reported here that your influence will go
In the direction Of virfuat reputation, though
am not at all prepared to credit the report !;
on the other hand, hope you regard such
man as no better than horscthief The only
means of support of many orphan children
Several could name in this county, are
honest credits in the hands Of their guardians
| have small tract of poor land, and many of
my debtors have large, valuable tracts of land.
hope, Sirs, that you will take decided stand
to allow individuals to settle their own affairs in
this matter. What justice is there in legisa-
ton for the benefit Of one class to the prejudice
of another?"