Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-01-30
ss sGreeIbacks,'' ,''.-or the Pound OF
EIesh,.Which :?

| tlcSuss w Hull
We cordially endorse the following excel
lent and sensible article from our esteemed
contemporary the Lancaster Ledger"
We regres to see some disposition manifested
not to receive United States currency at par
for existing liabilities. At time like this,
1 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. 70 talk of relief by stay laws,
or scaling Of debts by legal measure iss
mere waste 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 greenbacks at par would not
be q fair and equitable satisfaction of any
existing liability. Not to receive it is evidence
of q grasping and uncompromising spirit;
and ifgenerallJ 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 execu-
tions; preferences are not practicable, but
where the Sheriff: in obedience to orders
from grasping Shyloek, collects his judg--
ment debt in gold and silver, he does SO ct
his peril; fer it is by no mearsa o settled ques-
ton that U. s. currency is not what it ptr.
ports to be-a legal tender for the payment
of debts.
The only decision which We have in this
State is adverse to the legal tender law, and
it issgencrally be- edthat the Court Of APP.
peals sill sustain me 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 a
law of Congress, if made against tie lac, is
not conclusive of tho question, even within
the limits of South Carolina.
The Supreme Coart OF the United States
has appellate Jurisdiction in certain cases,
over linal decisions in State Courts. If TIE
lecision is against the corstit1tionality Of o
law of Congress, there is an appeal, by writ
of Error, 10 the Supreme Court Of the United
States, as the appellate Court Of the last re-
sort. Judiciary Acts 1889, Sec. XIV, Kent
Com. vol J, 3l3-32l. Williams rs. Norris
II Wheaton H.
In view of what is clearly the public policy
of the country, with fair show Of conslitu-
tionil argument on the same side, it is more
than probable that this question will ultimate.
ly be decided in favor of th. law cf Congress-
We repeat, therefore, that the executive officer
who undertakes to decide in advance that q
law Of Congress is null AID void, and acis
accordingly, does SO at hia peril. A safer
course would be 70 assums that Che 1ow 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 venience, but will be one means of relicy.
ing the country Of its present. embarrassed
condition; o contrary course;will leadto great
annoyance, distress and ceaseIesslitigation.