The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1867-11-30


.mipors, could not probably 30 arrived,at any
hcarer, except that in case cof Investment in
lands; Instead of holding the Guardian respon-
sibie sfor what the ln'.s sold for before the,
war. let the same revert back to minors. But
suppose the minors property was all invested
in negroes? Let them be the loscrs of courses
forjif The Guardian is held respoIsiblc sit ib d
double loss on him. He has lost the negroes,
and then has to make good their emancipation,
which is equivalent to holding him responsible
! for what the United States did and which it is
impossible for him to undo. "a
Suppose he had invested the property in
Confederate bonds The law provides in this
case that the minors and wards shall be the
losers. The. same power that destroyed the
validity of the bonds destroyed the validity of
a bill of sale for the negro. Then why ex-
empt him in the one case and not in the other.
The same right that applies to hold him re-
sponsiblc for investment in negroes applies
with equal force in the case of Investment in
the other are just, therefore why not abrogatc
both? But how can we arrive at this? Any
act that "impairs the obligation Of contracts"
is contrary to the Constitution of the State and
of the United States
| t-f
lish justiccto promote the general welfare and
to suit the exigcncies Of the times at which
they arc made. What would promote the vel
fare of a people to-day, fifty or hundred
years hence would possibly be productive of
@ j and opposed to its best interests. "a law
that works for the general good at the time of
its enactment does not guarantee that it Wild
SO always and under all circumstances. IF ad-
herring to set principles in the nature of our
Constitution is inimical to our best interests
why not change that Constitution, and adapt it
to suit the circumstances of the people, whose
welfare it is intended to promote? Whom this
instrument is an impeachment in deciding a
question of moment that concerns the general
good why not submit the desire for its change
to the test Of the people? Truc,;the Co1sti-
tuition of the United States says, ''no State
shall pass any act impairins the obligation of
contracts. Then let the State call a Collvcl4
tioni and niemcr:alize Congress for. .an amend
mcnt to tho Constitution is4 It Is matter Of
little concern to Congress, Whether the cit;-
zens Of South Carolina pay heir individual
debts or not OF conrse all obligations con:
tracted with citizens residing beyond the limits
of the State will hive to be met. Then say
you, that every man will transfer his claims to
citizens residing beyond the limits Of the
State. We think not, Every community
knows very we'll the extent Of the in
dcbtcdncss, and to whom of each member who
composcs it. Beside when il. could be proved
that the party transferred his claim out side OF
the limits of tho State to avoid having it re,
putliatcd, let such transfer be Illegal and void
This would prevent foreigners from abctting or
accepting claims of doubtful tendency upon
citizens of the State.
These remarks have been advanced in the
attempt TO show the general evil that will re-
suit to the country at large from. the collection
of all old debts. TO correct this evil entirely
may be impraoticnble, Reputation of all old
debts would, no doubt, strike a heavy blow to
great many persons, but on the other hand,
We believe its consummation would ward off q
great many more that will occur if it does not
take place. Leaving general reputation out
of the question, however, We believe that the
people of South Carolina would be doing
themselves and their posterity an injustice not
TO rcpudiatc, at least negro debts, if such lies
within the range of practicability)
.isah ha.&a iu PAYSANs
Il