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

Ireta e . y F. 81 x. , N.s..
exactly fair, the advantage being in favor of the
minors, GOULD not probably be arriyedsa any
hcarsr, except that in case Of investment in
lands instcad of holding the Guardian respon-
sble sfof what the l"''. 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 losers Of couses
foriif 1he Guardian is held responsible Gt ID 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
;unoss;ble fsr him 10 nndo &
Suppose he had invested tho 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
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
Confederate bonds. But neither the one nor
the other are just, therefore why not abrogatc
both? But how can VIC arrive at this? Any
act that "impairs the obligation of contracts"
is contrary to the Constitution of the State and
of tbo Jyn;tod Stotoe S
Constitutions are framed in order to ssestab-
lish justiccto to 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
evil and opposed to its best interests. "A law
that works for the general good at the time Of
SO always and undcr all circumstances IF ad.
herring to set principles in the nature of our
Constitution is inilnical 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? When this
instrument is an mpedimcnt 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,thc Corlsti-
tuition Of the United States says, s'no. Ssate
shall pass any act impairing the obligation Of
contracts. Then let the State call Convcri.
ton and mcmorialize Congress for, an amend
mcnt to the Constitution. It. is q matter Of
little concern to Congress, whether the citi-
zens Of South Carolina pay their iindiyidual
debts or not. fcourse all obligsitffo ions con:
tracted with citizens residing beyond the limits
of the State will have 10 be met. Then sny
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
dcbtcdness, and to whom of each member who
composcs it. Beside when it could be proved
that the party transferred his claim ont side o.
the limits of the State to avoid having it re
pudiatcd, let such transfer be illegal and void
This would prevent foreigners from abetting OF
accepting claims of doubtful tendency upor
citizens Of the State
These remarks have been advanced in tn,
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 entirel,
may be impracticable. Republication Of ali ole
debts would, no doubt, strike heavy blow te
great many persons, but on the other hand
we believe its consummation would ward off 8
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 rcpudiate, at least, negro debts, if such lies
within the range of practicabilay.}
.aaaIds.4 PAYSAN.