Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-07-11

have survived this violence to its integrity attle
while longer. So profound o respect have for
the Judiciary of South Carolina, that am led
almost to doubt my own conyictiohs in this mat
ter, and dissent rslactantly from the wisdom of
their action. The judgement hewever has been
given, and however much We may regret it, it will
not avail US in our present, difficulties to dicuss
dead issues. The absorbing enquiry no0 is, what
can be done TO relieve the conntry2
L confess that feel wholly unable to suggest
plnn which viii be free from difficulties and OBJ
eetions. Reputation by the Snts, is, in my
Judgment, impracticable and unadvSable. A
Homestead Inv, retrospective in its operation
and to afford relief, it mus.se:retrOspective,-is
liable to the same, if not greater constitutional
difficulties than the Stay Law" A bankrupt
Law by the Stale would encounter grave doubts
asa its constitutionality. plan suggested
i Mt. W. W. ADAxs, of thsistate's borrowing
money and, lending upon moitEag of real estate,
would be, in effect, making, tho State large real
estate agency, and fear imptscticable and abar-
tive. Tie plan of my colleague. Mr.. THOMAS
EJosEs, ,of calling Convention as last resort to
do certain things indicated.in;his Communication
to the Advertiser, npprehonai would throw US in
conflict or antagonism with the Federal constitu-
ton and the Federal authorities, wl'.s - re
n; not prepared to maintain. have mo- Zen able
10 discover any systematic plan proposed by
"CoKE," and consequently cannot indicate obiec-
tions to his views. 1t may boz that his plan is the
right one.
Having offered objections to the plnns of others,
whichfis much easier than tos sgnggest one of opl
own, Is it may naturally be asked what I propose
M proposition, like tho others 10, 4 am aware,
liable to serious objections, but it occurs to me
that it is the bOst thing to be doneunde the cir,
cumstances. The Legislatdrswill most likely be
convened as soon as Congress adjourns, which il
is thought will occur between this and the first Of
August. I would then propose to pass an ac'
similar in its provisions to the act Of lS7, which
was the oneOf series of Instalmcnt laws fnall,
adopted afterthe Revolution of57G.
In additionSto'thia, passza Law making it 4
misdemcanor for any lawyer, gor officer of th'
Z Court, or magistrate, to ins!itGte proceedings il
any case unless the costs and all charges are pait
} in advance, and impose heavy tax upon al
amounts thus collected.
Itmay be said that the Instalment Law woult
bo declared unconstitutional, II may and it ma,
not be- Tho point may not be made before tn!
Courts, and if it il, twill require time, and tim'
is what our people want tooput their houses il
order. Some may say, that this is temposizing,-
triaing with q great question. 1t is better t.
temporize and gave the patient, than insert tn
knife so deeply and suddenly that it will sinl
under the operation. ..@,
But law requiring the costs and charges to b
paid in advance, and lovying o heavy tax on oil
tamounts collected, would not be unconstitutional
and would impose partial check upon suini
creditors. ~
An act was passed at the last Session leaving
optional with the c6cers of Court whetherlor no
they would require tho costs in advance. Itshoul
have been preremptory and binding upon all par
: ties necessary to institute preceedings,-and n
doubt it can now be so modified.
AS to debts contracted for negroes, do no
think that they should be paid in full. Tho in
terest ON the amount, or reasonable hire for tn
timo that they were in possession; or some sue
arrangement, appears TO me to beright and prop
or. But, to put an end to all dispute in rsferenc
to debts Of this character, would It not be we'll
refer them 10 the Jury? No man could complai
= of the Judgment of his peers. Not more tha
one or two precedcnts would have to be establish
q ed before such claims would be readily compro
, missed, and if these debts could be satisfactorily
q adjusted, it would rid the country of y sseas in
q cubus.
have thus given you my views upon the quss
. lions ut Issue hurriedly but frankly. I find my
self in position not to be coveted, but, AS upo
all previous occasions, I shall endearor to do m
? duty conscentousy to tho country Without re
gard to personal consequences. That there ar
numbors of men in our country who are, or ma
: be able, by honest exertion, to puy nc least
portion of their indebtedness, md who Go no
intend to pay cent,if they can avoid 1t, har
3 no doubt For these have no sympathy.
. For the honest man, who has done his Who'll
duty to his State, md finds himself cncompasse
. with difficulties which threaten him with ruin,
feel deeply. The State should extend to him re
lief, and if there nre constitutional or other diff
cuties In the ray, they should stand aside unit
/ relief can be afforded.
Itisidle to;say that any one man, or any clas
of men, is responsible for the present condition
of the country. We are NIL responsible alike
The whole people ore responsible. 1t wss move
rnent of the people. They pushed the politician
forward. If uny one thing is moro certain thai
another, it is that wo will not extricate ourseve
from present difficulties, by elimination and re
elimination. A fair, manly, and respectful criti
cism of the nets and opinions of each other, vii
f always be productive of good results. But abuse
suspicion, and misrepresentation; will as certain
ly produce bad results. If there was ever tim
. in the history Of the State, when she required
tho benefit of the plain, practical, unadulterated
common sense of her people, it is at this juncture
It is no occasion for the ventilation of fancifn
theories Of reform.
Very Respectfully,
Your obedient serIant.
NC. BUTLER.
July 3rd, 1866.
III ->-ce e--
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