Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-08-29
} Bacon and Corn.
For the Advertiser.

, Mr.. Ep1roR have been watching for some
time for what I could see in the distant horizon
of the results of Return Day for October term of
the Court. That time. now approaches. I had
hoped (but from the last number or two of the.
Advertiser fear my hopes are groundless) that
suits for the collection of debts except in extreme
cases, would be avoided. I see in your columns
threat after threat. Some who arc acting in
iduciary capacity, make the bold, but think
croundless assertion, that they havs no discre-
ton :. that the notes held by them, in their rep
ressntative capacity, must of necessity be put in
suit, and that otherwise they would be liable
themselves I am not disposed to stop to contro--
vert this legal proposition. only say, that, in
my opinion, all this is pioie subtorfuge, or rnth-
er refuge for those whe desire to encourage
SUITS We all know there is now no available
money in the country. People cannot pay their
dcbts now, however much they may be disposed
to do so. It is worse than useless to inform them
that they must either pay or be sued: If yon IN
tend to sue thom, do so ut once. Don't annoy them
NTH newspaper threats; and what is infinitely
worse, encourage others to sue ALSO If this thing
of sueing does begin, who can tell where twill
end 2 One single man in Edgefeld District mey
be the instrument Of one thousanassuita; I feel
that / know what am saying. In many of these
cases the or!y benedciaries of these suits will be
the lawyers and Officers of the Curt
The point which wish to make here is this:
IF the debtor owed but one man it would not be
so bad He may owe several, and if one aues
him, the others may conclude, as many will, shat
atbey must sue also that they cannot afford to
stand still, and be thus cut out of all chances at
his estate It is vain to conceal the fact that, IN
this event. debtors will prefer those creditors who
deal most humauely with them. This they will
do by confession or otherwise.
am fur from advocating repudiation. only
advise and counsel forbsarance. I believe in
men paying their debts honestly and fairly, and
I am fully convinced that this they cannot do
without time. I wish to see the people OF our
country united. Don't array debtor against cradi-
tor, and force mon to do what they otherwise
would not do. Let US save the morals OF the
country. If your debtor is acting in good faith,
give him chance. Don't increase his embar-
rassments with costs of suits. BE is already
pressed down; almost driven to desperation.
Don't let him feel that you are his sworn enemy.
7 believe that is the prevailing sentiment OF our
people, and if encouraged would continue to Pre-
vail. But if Administrators and others are ad-
yiscd that they must sue, or become liable them
selves, then you draw line Of demarkation be-
tween debtor and creditor, which will never be
erased. You will induce spirit of resistance to
tho civil authority, whci by al means should be
suppressed. You inaugurate civil discord, the
end Of, which you. cannot foreses. In many Sec
tions Of our District the Cotton crop Of the pres
ent year will not supply the deficiencies IN bread
stufra. Starvation seems almost inevitable. The
people generally can't pay debts next winter
tho proceeds of the cotton crop must be used to
purchase provision to sustain the people. The
effective force on most plantations will of necess-
ty become diminished from the scarcity of provi-
sions, and money with which to purchase sup
plies. Ny conviction therefore is that the most
lenient creditors will reap the best harvest in the
ond.
love the spirit Of compromise which prevails
with many Of our people. 1t is preferable with
me to all legislation. Many industrious persons
nevor can pay thoir debts, even with long lifeand
propitious circnmstapcos. This they know full
we'll. They need encouragement, and if thoy act
in good faith believe they will meet it. know
they will from all good and true mon. Your cor
respondent asks this not for himself. He asks 1t
for the country;-for the present as Yclas future,
generations.
It is true there may be extreme cases (which
suits will be, unavoidable. They are however
rare. Laws arc passed for tho protection, and,
not for tho oppression of the citizen; and sub
nit respectfully, the opinion of Lawyers, If they
have given it, to the contrary Notwithstanding,
that even those who actin a.Gduciary capacity are
not bound to depress aud.ruin thcJcountry. They
arc only bound to doTwhst q prudent man would
do in tho management of his own private affairs.
No tribunal will require moro at their hands, and if
they are induced by those who love money moro
than everything olse,. to contrary conclusion.
then,I say let the responsibility rest where it lc-
Ultimately belongs. - ,ro6n,
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