Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-07-05

worthy cltlzens, anu 70 tue Wioo~s auu Ut
phau children of those to whom the State
itself is under deep and lasting obligations.
That the Legislature, in its wisdom, may
devise some such arrangement, is most de.
voutly to be wished:
BARNwELL c. H., 10th June, 1866.
Nh Dear SIR Your kind note of the
1lth informing me that Cat meeting of
citizens of the Ridge you were appointed to
request me to address mass meeting of the
citizens of Edge6eld and Lexington, at
Bethel Church on the 1st of June, upon the
all absorbing question of the day, the in
debtedness of the people, and the best means
of staying the wide spread ruin that await
US as a people," has been received. By the
same mail also received like invitation
from Messrs. Norris, Watson and Boat
wright.
While 1 thank you all very sincerely for
the kindness Of your invitation, cannot
accept it. The Judges of South Carolina
do not usually participate in public meet.
ings of the people As general rule it is
good one; yet there are occasions when
Judges, like all other citizens should EN-.
brace the opportunity to express their opln.
ions freely and lend their Influence to ad-
vance particular measures Of great public
interest But this is not such an occasion /;
"tke tndebtedness Of the peopk,2 is q ques.
ton that will come before the Judges Off:
cially, and, of course, no Judge can have an
opinion until the case is made before him
| iu court g. 49,; .-.-~
| I do not think can be mistaken in the
object of your meeting; it is to avoid the
payment of debts. 1t is due to myself
frankly to state, that I do not sympathize
with any movement which has for its object,
tho avoiding of fair and honest contracts
Nor can I in any way countenance any meet
ing which may encourage the people to re.
sist the laws of the land. No man in the
State feels more deeply the terrible condi-
tion in which our people have been left by
the results of the war, than myself. In
addition to the mournful losses of children,
relatives and friends, in battle, to the failure
to establish the great principles for which
we fought, and the modification of defeat,
we have lost, in this State, at once aud
without preparation, over too hundred mil
lions Of property, which is the abstraction
of Just so much capital and labor from the
payment of debts, which,, in good faith,
we're incurred oD the strength of that prop
erty and labor The property is gone, the
labor is very uncertain, the debts remain.
Perhaps DO people in the history of the
world, have ever been so suddenly and com.
pletely ruined as this Southern people.
But even this ruin can be repaired by ener-
gy, constancy and virtue. Let US preserve
our honor and at least try to pay our debts.
Be Honest This is common calamity in
which all partici pate, both debtor and cred
itor, the loss is mutual and is as hard to
bear by the one class as by the other; COM
mon justice, it would seem, ought to die
tate to all the propriety of making an
earnest effort to meet their engagements
A contract is sacred obligation, equally
binding in the court of conscience and in
court of law. Our duty is plain, it is for
bearance. We should all act towards each
other as ueighbors and friends, and not
burden those who are indebted to US with
the cost of suit. know this is not always
practical, because in all communities, there
are some hard men who will have their own,
without regard to the loss and distress
which it occasions to their debtors; but,
for the honor of humanity, [ do not think
this is large class, and if the rule of for
bearance be adopted, it vii rebuke and
shame those who set at naught the better
feelings of our nature.
1t may be supposed, that because I dis
sent from the majority of the Court of Er
rors on the Constitutionality of the Stay
Law, that I will sympathlse with those who
favor resistance to the laws of the land
This is a great mistake. Although l do not
agree with the Court (and subsequent re-
Fiction strengthens me in my conviction,
yet there is no citizen who will counsel more
earnestly acquiescence in the decision, and
support more firmly the laws of the land
and the constituted authorities of the State,
than myself As l stand alone in the
Court, it is very probable l am wrong, al.
though | cannot see the error of my judg
ment My earnest counsel to you, and to
all the good people of the State is, obey the
laws of the land, pay as you can, and when
your means are exhausted, you will have
done all in your power, and can commence
life again with a clear conscience and a
brave heart.
am informed, that his Ezcellency Gov.
Orr, will probably call the Legislature to-
gether, in an extra session, at an early day,
to perfect such legislation as is required by
the changed condition of society. If this
be so, have no doubt, that the wise and
patriotic men who compose that body, will
devise some relief, which while it will af-
ford time to the suffering people, and pre-
vent the sacrifice of their property at forced
sales, will not be liable to constitutional OBJ.
lection.
Trusting that you will receive my coun-
sci kindly and in the friendly spirit in which