The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-08-30

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are fscA the pens Of distinguished cisizens
Of the up.country: ~
20 de Honorable A. n. AldyJchASra:
Allow me 70 address you on the important
very existence oSthe planters depends upon
its proper solution. I take the liberty to
address you knowing your opinions, and 1
desire, can, TO strengthen them, by
stating to you my views on the subject -
ther the stay law is constitutional or not;
but will simply remark that, If the Con-
stitufion alluded to is the Constitution Of
the United States, that Constitution can
have nothing TO do with us, until we arc
admitted as co-equA States; until repre-.
moniously. The material points which I
desire to bring to your confederation, viii
of the State before the war? / think the
mere affirmation OF the condition Of the
State then, argument sufficient: Universal
ton OF the state after General Lees sur
render? Universal ruin. The next question
that presents itself is, the war being over,
does gentio peace pervade the land? an
swer, emphatically, that it does not j
The power that subjugated us is at this
tary authority. Can the labor Of the coun-
try be regulated by despotism, and peace
exist, when that despotism has no interest
in the Welfare OF the land and no regard
for tho laborer whom they pretend TO as
sist! l think the affirmation OF the fact
argument sufficient that war does exist
war against every principle of common
justice-war against q fallen enemy, whose
heroism they arc compelled to admire
war against the negro, taxing him three
per cent: upon his cotton, when he and his
wife and children are now dying from
starvation: Such horrible infamy cannot
be found elsewhere on earth; doubt such
baseness can be found in regions damned.
Now, Sir, think it will be admitted that
the stay law was necessary when our ar
mics were in hostile attitude; how much
more necessary is it now, when inglorious
war exists-when all the portable wealth
has been stolen by the enemy, and every-
thing that could not be removed has been
committed to the f1ames-when there is
not breadstuffs in the country to support
the population when every day, on the
plantation, looks like Sabbath without
Bible, without a church, and without a
preacher?
Sir, every man knows that free labor
will not be remunerativc this year; that
starvation stnrcs both man and beast di-
rcctly in the face; that the Indebtedness Of
the people cannot be liqnidatcd by forced
sales; that there is not money enough in
the State to purchase land at any price il
forced into market, and, therefore, North
ern capitalists must be the purchasers.
and Southern planters must then be re-
moved from this once productive land, be-
come come outcasts and beggars, and substi-
tuted In their places will be the indolen.
free negro and Yankee agent. Sir, con-
gratuiatc You for your independent deci-
slon. L know your fraternal regard for
those OF your own profession. To decide
against their interests is, at any rate, de-
trimcntal to that quietude of mind when
nfssrI hafS al n <<>I Al.
nificent crop planted by the advocates OF
liberty, and moistened by the blood of pa-
trlots. know, sir, you would rather have
filled your Golfers from the downfall of
Virtue than from subjugated people.
whose CAUSE You advocate, and whose
principles you admire. The people Of this
state, i'll Convention assembled. directed
the monetary power of the people to sup
port their war by placing individual liabifi-
ties IN qulcscent attitude, and that atti-
tude Is now dis. lrbed when starvation
stares every honest man in the face, and
aharchy governs the land. Sir, 1 again
congratulate You, that in your judicial DO
sltlon you were not influenced hv numeri-
cal power, backed by some intellectual
piausibility. l can, therefore. call Won.
emphatically, the honest lawyer. an appel
Iatlon more precious to YOU and your de-
sccndants than all the material wealth of
tins poor, subjugated land. Sir, horrible
is the picture OF poor, subjugatcd people,
hShtlng each other for the fragments; and
the source from whence they derive their
apparent rights is the Constitution, which
only lives to continue our subjugation.
FAIRFIELD.
MEssKs. EDIroRs: There is no doubt
that large majority Of our people ca ma
jority approaching unanimity-desire the
adoption OF some measure for the relief of
those in debt. If something is not done.
there will, inevitably, result q widespread
ruin and suffering such as no people have
ever been subject ID to. It is absurd to annlv
genera maNims. just and right in ordinary
times, to such a universal and crushing
CONFUSION as that which has passed over
our country. The people Of the South of
ali classes and interests were in favor of
secession. 1t is, therefore, only lust and
fair, that all should suffer in the disastrous
consequences Of failure, and not that the
debtor class should be sacrificed and the
creditor class benefited. II the collection
OF debts is enforced, the creditor will pur-
chase twenty times AIS much property. Gf
his debtor has it, as he could have done
before the war. 4 man worth $50, 900,
$50, 900 OF 1t real estate, and owing 81, 900.
his lands will not pay his debt. But, as |
have said, our people are nearly unani-
nous that something must be done, if
practicable. What can be done? A pre-
sent and cffectual measure will be for the
Legislature to enact that no Court for the
tral OF cases arising out Of contracts, shall
be held FOR two years; make all cases Of
tort indictable. with power to award as to
restitution or indemnity.
A more radical and better course would
be TO cali convention; let that convention
scale all debts contracted before the close
OF the war-say one-half or three-fourths.
These debts were based mainly on negro