Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-09-26

under discussion, Line gentleman from hD'
beville, (Mr. Fair, has alluded to the fact
that it was simply q subterfuge to cheat the
Constitution rs subTersive to the ends of JUS
tice. But.who atebetterj judges Of the wants
of the people than those who derive their
power directly from. the people2 And if we
choose to say that the Courts shall sit three
times or twice or once year, to fix, alter or
postpone their sessions, contend that the
! right is unquestionable. Nor can see that
awe defeat the ends of justice by such pro-
cedure, if the intseest of the greatest number
demands it.
Now, q word or two as to the propriety of
this Bill. The gentleman from Charleston,
fMr. Barker, remarked yesterday that for
every debt that was Settled in South Carolina,
so much capital wo1ld be introduced. lam
as much in favor of introducing capital here
. as any man can: be, but 1. wish the identity Of
South Carolina preserved, and it can be done.
only by her own children. I apprehend that
ifhis idea were carried out to its logical con-
Esequences, it would result in tho exile Of no
small proportion Of the native inhabitants of
the State. It has been said, "let the people
regulate this matter" I say so too. All I
ask, is that you vii, flor time, withhold the
strong relentless arm of the law. Not alone
for the debtor, but for the creditor also, for.
+! he likewise declares In terms that cannot be
misunderstood, nat relief is necessary to all
classes, and that it's our duty 70 extend it.
Open the courts to one creditor now and al
Though the great mass of creditors may be
incliued to be just, generous, and forbearing,
| no one can deny that there are selfish and
heartless .Shylocks, and the way being OPEN
ed, and the example set, they will pounce-
upon their debtor and other creditors will
proceed in self-defence, and you bind the deb.
tor hand and foot you make him feel the
full weight Of the law, for debt which prob
ably your own Convention placed beyond his
power TO pay. You will make him reckless
desperate, and rather than stay here I'M
poyerished by the act of his own country
men which has put the iron grasp of law upon
his property. he will take the few household
goods that may be left him, abandon the soil
of his fathers and seek for more congenial
refuge in other lands. This, Mr.. Speaker, is
what knowing as I Go the temper of the peo-
pie, 1 seriously apprehend: My experience
has been with the conservative Masses with
communities who will act in accordance with
the dictates of honor, wisdom and justice;
and in my humble judgment, if We disregard
the demonstrations which come to us, from
all parts of the State, without imputing. to
other gentlemenwhat they have imputed to
US, we shall be recreant to high duty.
am the last manin:tEis House who would en-.
courage idle complaints on the part of the
people, or hound them on to unreasonable
demonstrations, but when see those who
have been utterly ruined and are now op
pressed, repelled from the door of this house
because they hageEasserted their manhood
and exercised right which is natural and
not unreasonable, I for one, will not be si-
lent
The popular judgment Of South Carolina
may be swayed for a time by interested
demagogues,' as they have been called. 1t
is one Of the necessary evils Of this Govern
ment but give time to decide fairly, tell
them the truth. and the good sense Of the
community will prevail. The gentlemen
bers from all quarters of the State, admit
that the necessity for relief exists, and what
sir, when we have disposed Of the only obsta
Gle in the way-I mean the constitutional
obiection-should prevent US from applying
the remedy which has been suggested. Let
this matter regulate ITSELF Time is what our
people want. They love the soil of South
Carolina. They were born upon it, they have
fought for it, and they want to live and die
upon it. Yet, from the temper manifested
by this body, l am apprehensive that they
will be forced into acts Of desperation, while
the country itsclf will be depopulatcd by thou
sands who will give place to another class
whom we can never welcome and cherish as
We do our own tried friends "native here and
10 the manor born"
acknowledging, then, Mr.. Speaker, unity
Of opinion as 10 the necessity Of relief, and
having, as believe, fairly overcome any con-
stitutional objection, is it not our duty to pass
this. bill? i accept the insinuation that it is
temporising," but sir, what we want, what
the people demand, and what We should grant,
is something that temporises and restrains,
and therefore, for the time being, confers the
desired benefit.
Something has been said about an attempt
to override this legislature by threat of rev
olution. havo never heard such threat !
made on the floor of this House; but have
hoard goItlomen deal with facts with which
moat of US are familiar, and facts that cannot
be ignored. I will tell you, however, Mr..
Speaker, that | did hear what mortified me,
and what never expected to hear uttered in
the Legislature of South Carolina. heard a
.nLleman in his seat threaten, yes, sir,
threaten the Civil Rights Bill passed by the
United States-threaten United States haYo-
nets upon those who have come here to do
their duty TO the people, We are not, sir, in
condition to resist, aud the gentleman knew
it. We have lost our best citizcns our prop
erty, our homes, but thank God we have not
lost our honor; and hope the time will nev.
er come when We shall be compelled 10 resort
to foreign power 10 maintain the low or pro.
tect the citizens of South Carolina in their
just rights.
we have heard history extensively quoted
during this debate, and the experience Of the
country after the old revolution has been re-
ferred to. bow to history and its teachings,
.but gentlemen appear to forgot that peace
was declared in lisa, the last instalment law
was adopted in 1857, and the Constitution was
adopted in 1889, thus giving the people six
wears in which to settle their affairs. That
revolution by the side of our own, was but
gust of wind compared with ragins storm
The people lost not all their property, and
they gained their independence. We on the
contrary, have lost our all. Mete bounds and
measures all landmarks of the past have been
swept away by the powerful arm of destiny
and of war; the disturbed elements are still |
unauiet, the sea of revolution still rolls, and
the people cannot be expected to settle down
in day, month, or year. 1t requires
time, but in my opinion the time has not ar