Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-07-11
From the Barniwell Sentinel.
Judge AIdrich's Letter.
BARNwELL G. a, 10th June


MY DEAR SIR.-Your kind note of the
llth informing me that " at meeting of the
citizens of the Ridge you1swere appointed to
request me to address a mass meeting Of the
citizens of Edgefeld and Lexington, at Bethel
Church on the 2lst Of June, upon the all ab-
sorbing question of the day, the Indebtedness
of the people, and the best means OF staying
the vide spread ruin that await lis as peo-
olen has been received. By the, sane.n:ail
[ also received like invitation from sMessrs.
Norris, Watson and Boatwright. ~.
While / thank you all very sincerely. for
the kindness of your inyitation,l canaot ac-
cept it. The Judges OF South Carolina do
not usually participate in public meetings OF
the people. AS generalr it is q good;
one: vet there arc occasions when Judges,
like ali other citizens. should embrace the
opportunity to express their opinions freely
and lend their influence to advance particu-
lar measures of great public interest. But
this is not such an occasion the inde6tness
of the people" is a question that will come
before the Judges officially, and, of course, no
Judge can have an opinion until the case'is
made before him in court.
do not think can be mistaken in the
object Of Jour meeting it is to avoid the pay
ment OF debts. 1t is due to myself frankly 70 !.
state, ,>that do not sympathizc with any
movement which has tor its Object. the avoid
ing of fair and honest contracts. Nor can
in anyway cpuntenance any meeting which
may encourage the people to resist the laws
Of the land. No man in the State feels more
deeply the terrible coLdition in which our
people have been left by:the results of the
war, than myself. In addition to the mourn.
ful losses of children, relatives and friends, in
battle, to- failure to establish the great
principles for which we fought, and to the
modification of defeat, We have lost, in this
State, at once and without preparation, over
tpo hundred millions. of property, which is
the abstraction ofjIst SO much capital and
labor. from the payment of debts, which, in
good faith, were incurred on the strength of
that property sand labor. The property is
gone, the labor Is very uncertain, the debts
remain Perhaps no peopleint the history of
the world, have ever been so suddenly and
completely ruined as this Suthern people. But
even this ruin can be'repaired BY energy, con-
stancy and virtue. let us preserve our honor
and at least try to pay our debts. BE Honest.
This a common calamity in which oil par
ticipate, both debtor and creditor, the lossis
mutual and is as hard to bear by the one
class as by the other common justice, it
would seem, ought to dictate to all the pro.
priety of making an earnest effort to meet:
their engagements. A contract is a sacred
obligation, equally binding in the court oss,
cons ence and in the court of law. Oursdu-n
ty is plain, tits .torbeara7lce. We should all
act towards. each other as neighborst and aos
burden those who are indebted todls the
costs of suit. know this is not always pracs
teal, because in all communities, there are
some hard men who will have their own, with
out regard to the loss and distress which IT.
occasions to their debtor but, for the honor
of humanity, do not think this is large T
class. and ifthe rule.of forbearance be adopt
ed, it will reEuke aud shame those who set
at naught tae better feelings of our nature.
1t may be supposed, that because dissent
from the majority of the Court of Errors on
the Constitutionality Of the Stay Law, thatI
will sympathise with those who favor resis--
tance to the laws oG3hela land. This is q great,
mistake. Although LIDO not agree with the
Court land subsequent reflection strengthens
me in my conviction yet there is no citizen
who will counsel more earnestly acquiescenee.
in the decision, and support more firmly thes
laws of theland and the constituted apthori-
ties of the State, than myself. As I stand
alone in the Court, 1T is very probable l an
wrong, although Icannot see; the error OF my,
judgment. My earnest counsel to you, and.
to all the good people of the State is, !, obey
the laws ofthe land, pay as far as you car,
and when your means are cxhau'ted you viii
have done. all in your power, and can com,
mence:life again witha clear conscience ana
q brave healt .s--.
Fam informed. that his Excellency Gov
Orr, will probably call the Legislature togeth-
er, in extra session, at an early day, to perfect
such legislation as is required by the charged
condition of society. II this be sol have no.
doubt, that the wise and patriotic men who
compose that body, will devise some relief,
which while it will afford time to. the suffer;
ing people, and prevent the'sacrifce, Of their
property al forced sales, viii not be liable to
constitutional. objections. = ss
Trusting that you will receive my counsel
kindly and in the friendly spirit in whichit
is written, j am, -.
Very Respectfully,
e..szr.s,.e yoursob'ts ssery't,-.;
a. P. ALDRlCH.a