The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-10-11
mn, MgEr1Ne on MONDAY LAST.

Alter the adjournment of the Court at noon on
Monday, the citizens of the District who were
present assembled in public meeting according TO
Shs published request of those who were desrous
that the people might be heard upon the various
questions affecting their interests, and which had
been discussed and acted upon by the Legislature.
The SYNOPSIS of proceedings will be found else
where in our columns this morning, and the read
ey ourioas to know the order in which the speak
ing and business of the meeting was conducted, Is
referred thereto for the information. After the
members of the Legislature had each given brief
and succinct account Of the recent session OF that
body, explaining its action upon various measures,
and indicating the probable action upon others ct
its next sitting, Gen. J. W. HARRISON was called
npon for his views and opinions. Evidently Gen.
II. vas prepared for the occasion, and we we're
not estounded by the fact that he delivered con-
nected argument upon the subject of the country's
indebtedness. Beginning with the Stay Law,
review of its history and advantages was offered
to prove the wisdom and policy of its passage at
the time. Imbued with this belief, it was an easy
transition to the position that yet more was re-
ouired to relieve the class known as debtors, and
that otherwise the property of the country would
speedily change hands, the people be forced to
emigrate from the State, and capitalists from 9TH
or sections become owners of the soil. These are
briefly the grounds covered in the speech OF Gen.
H.pR1soN. at the conclusion of which he offered q
serious of resolutions, which are published in the
official proceedings.
associate. Col W. D. WILKES, but the time for re-
assembling of the Court being near at hand his
response was imperfect because hastily delivered
However, assuming position antagonistlc to MS
MADAGASCAR, Gen. HARRISON, he declared against
the policy of the Legislature interfering with pri
yate contracts; thought that mischief lad already
accrued from past legislation and that one-half OF
tho indebtedness Of the country would have been
,;onidated but for the Stay Law; believed that
oon6donce between creditor and debtor, absolutely
essential at all times had been seriously impaired
already by such enactmentsi that the only means
NJ restoring that confidence was through the me-
dunn of rightful remedies in the Courts. That
where debtors manifested disposition to make
settlements with their creditors, liberal compromi-
sea might be effected without incurring costs );
did not believe that every creditor was Shylock,
demanding his pound of flesh; thought that the
majority of the people stood in the position OF
both creditor and debtor and therefore were equal
" interested in preserving the inviolablhty OF
contracts. That those who were not deeply IN
soh. could secure, in most instances satisfactory
terms in the adjustment with creditors and the
sooner the people BET to work in earnest to bring
abont the extinguishment of their debts IN this
,;se anp ceased to look forward to legislative re-
lief. the better sor the country in every respect.
He advocated the passage of Bankrupt Act
Meeting the necessities and requirements of large
debtors, and thought this the only measure of re-
lief that should be adopted under the sanction Of
the Legislature.
Tbrouphout this effort, Col WILKES was listened
~ v;tb marked attention, and frequently received
annause for his fearlessness and eloquence In the
.5rocacv of his principles. Beyond rational
-, tse sentiments of the audience favored the
views advocated by Col w., and this was manifes-
ted in the disapproTal Of the resolution lauoatory
of the Stay Law. We congratulate our people
that tbev are found endorsing the only feasible So
,ut;on of this intricate debt question, namely
trusting to an enlightened public sentiment 10
control the matter and prevent unnecessary op-
,,resson. and discountenancing legislative inter-
ference with private contracts, sacred and inyiola
h,s in their character. We shall take occasion TO
Give full expression to our own views at an early
Sav and embrace the opportunity now Of stating
~ have nurnosely refrained from discussing