The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-09
Relief for the People.

We used some strong language in our last
as to the necessity for relief to the debtor
class of our people. On reflection, we see no
reason why we should withdraw or modify
that language.
We must be understood, however, as max
ing no reflections on the legal profession.-
No honest lawyer encourages litigation, but
every lawyer, as a matter of course, is glad
to get business, whether from creditors or
debtors. The bar is not 10 blame for this
universal writing, any more than the agent
is to blame for carrying out the instructions
of his principal.
From what we have heard from various
parts of the State, we judge there are not
less than fifty thousand writs of cases al
ready docketed, or to be docketed soon in
this State. These writs are, for the most
part, from citizens of the State against citi-
zens, for the debts due Northern citizens
have, TO a great extent, been paid or COM
promised If the State had been restored to
the Union twelve months ago, or even six
months ago, our citizens would have been
realizing already the benefits of Northern
capital and emigration. If we had perma-
nent government of any kind or if we could
see clearly and certainly what will be our fiji
ture political condition, our people would
govern themselves accordingly-the fear of
panics and commissions in pecuniary and po-
litical matters would not exist, as it does now;
our people would cease to hoard their
money. many would loan and pay out in va
rious ways; and the result would be state
of comparative prosperity even on the small
amount of money we now have in the State
But the very reverse is the case. We have
no Banking capital. On account of the I'M
certainties of the present and the future, eve
ry thoughtful, forecasting person holds on
to his money. Many, we learn, are again
boarding and burying their gold and silver.
In addition to this, the taxes must be paid,
and, for an impoverished people, these taxes,
Federal, State and County, are oppressive.
1t is not surprising, therefore, that debtors
can not meet their obligations. Every rea-
sonable expectation of such o condition of
prosperity as would enable the debtor class
to meet their obligations, has been disap-
pointed. If a debtor desires to pay, but can
not do so on account of political causes over
which he could exercise no control, is it
right to sell his house over his head, his land,
or his stock of cattle, his hogs, and his only
Is not such a man entitled
to time, especially under the novel and ex-
traordinary circumstances by which we are
A debtor who is anxious to
pay, but who cannot pay at once, is no repu-
diator. He is simply unfortunate. He is
weak, and needs the supporting hand of the
law. The great object of all sound law is
to protect the weak against the strong.
We do not know that any thing the pres
ent Legislature may do will operate for any
length Of time The indica-
tons are that any act this body may pass
will soon fall to the ground. Still, it seems
to us, the Legislature might evince liberal
and mercifu! disposition on this subject, by
p assing some law for the relief of debtors,
whether such law should continue or not.
But if the information we have from Wash
ington be correct, that Congress is about to
the present de .tacto State govern
ments, the Union people of the State and
all oppressed debtors will hail the news with
Joy. Such action by the Congress would at
once arrest all the proceedings in the Courts.
1t may be that this is the only feasible and
real relief that can be expected by debtors
at present Let it come. Any change would
be for the better.