Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-01-30
"Greenbacks,"-.or the Pound OF
Flesh. Which?


We cordially endorse the following excel
lent and sensible article from our esteemed
contemporary the Lancaster Ledger"
We regret to see some disposition manifested
not to receive United States currency ct par
for existing liabilities. At a time like this,
when money is so scarce, and the country de-
pressed by failure of crops and other causes,
Greenbacks ought to be received readily by
creditors as basis of compromise with their
deb ors. To talk of relief by stay laws,
or scaling of debts by legal MEASURE, isS
mere wa tie oftime- fact ofwhich the peop'e
are now pretty thoroughly convinced, but
great relief may, and ought to be extended,
| through willingness on the part of creditors
to offer liberal terms of settlement. There
are doubtless some exceptions, but the cases
are rare, where greenbachs at par 'sonld not
be fair and equitable satisfaction of any
existing liability. Not to receive it is evidence
of graspins and uncompromisirg spirit;
and ifgenarally followed: would, in effect, add
almost fifty per cent. to the Indebtedness Of
the country. Creditors ought to receive it
without hesitation aud if any will not, they
should be delayed, and others, more liberal
and indulgent, preferred.
Where there are judgments and ezecu-
tions; preferences are not practicable, but
where the Sheriff. in obedience to orders
from grasping Shylock, collects his juog-
ment debt in gold and silver, he Goes SO ct
his peril; fer it is by no means settled ques-
ton that U. S. currency is not what it prr.
ports to be-a legal tender for the payment
of debts.
The only decision which We have in this
State is adverse to tue legal tender law, and
it is:gencrally believed that the Cour. Of APP.
peals wlll sustain the Circuit decision. But
even in the latter event, the point is not then
settled; as some suppose. The decision Of
the highest Tribunal in the State, affecting 4
law of Congress- if made against tie lar, is
not conclusive of the question, even within
the limits of South Carolina.
The Supreme Court OF the United States
has appellate jurisdiction in certain cases,
over iinal decisions in State Courts. II TIE
decision is against the constitltionality of a
law of Congress, there is an appeal, By writ
of Error, to the Supreme Court Of the United
States. as the appellate Court Of ,he last re-
sort. Judiciary Acts 1889, Sec. XIV, Kent
Com. vol l, 3l3-G2l. Williams rs. Norris
II Wheaton, III.
In view of what is clearly the public policy
of the country, with fair show of cons!itu-
tionil argument on the same side, it is more
than probable that this question will ultimate.
ly be decided in favor of the law If Congress
We repeat, therefore, that the executive officer
who undertakes to decide in advance that q
law Of Congress is null and void, and acts
accordingly, does So at his peril. A safer
course would be to assume that Che INV IS :
constitutional until it is declared otherwise
By the constituted authorities.
If the currency is generally received in
payment of debts, it will not only be public
CO venieuce, but will be one means of reliev.
ing the country Of its present. embarrassed
condition; o contrary course will leadto great
annoyance, distress and ccaseiess litigation.