The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-01-30
Pressure ON Debtors.

| we near from all pdTIS VI tue oIato 1hac
the pressure on debtors is likely to be great,
as writs for debt are being issued by hun
dreds in many Counties. Five hundred writs
in one County, four hundred in another,
three hundred in another, &c. Indeed, we
learn that in one County as many as one
thousand writs have been issued. The debt
or class of our people are in deep distress at
the prospect before them. If their property
should be exposed to sale under the Sheriff
hammer, it cannot bring its full value, on
account of the scarcity of money and the
result will be. their property will be sacrif-
ced and they will still be in debt. Even un-
der the most favorable circumstances the
country would not have sufficiently recover
ed to enable debtors to meet their obliga-
tons; but as it is, with the exception of
those parts of the State in which cotton and
tobacco are produced, the people are not bet
ter prepared to pay their debts now than
they were in 1865.
We are not repudiators We hold firmly
to the principle that all honest debts should
be paid. But we are 10th to see debtors
pressed to final ruin, and that in many cases
by exacting, heartless creditors. Our condi-
ton as a people is still more or less unnatu-
raj and revolutionary The life-breath of
the State is still suspended She has not
yet been restored to her constitutional rea
tons to the federal government, and the day
may be distant when she will be. Until that
day arrives she will remain in the condition
of "a strong man bound" Her resources
must remain dormant, her energies torpid !;
the disposition of herpeople to improve their
condition must be depressed and circumscri-
bed by the want of confidence in the future,
and from the absence of that emigration and
capital which were so anxiously expected,
even as early as 1865.
One of the results of Jonathan Worth's
government has been to bring such press
ure upon unfortunate debtors as has never
before been felt in this State If Jonathan
Worth and his government have the dispo-
sition to protect this unfortunate class, that
disposition has not thus far manifested itself;
and indeed, while we really have no State
Constitution that deserves the name as a
permanent civil Constitution, the difficulties
that surround the question are such, and there
are so many scruples honestly entertained,
no doubt,) among lawyers and legislators
and in the Courts, that we do not perceive
how anything like saving relief can be adj
ministered by legislative action to honest
debtors.
What, then, should be done9 The only
effectual remedy is in the immediate passage
Of some bill to re-organize the State
This would, in due time, temporarily arrest
these proceedings against debtors, thus Civ
ing them breathing spell and as soon as
reorganization takes place, and indeed dur
ing its progress, there will be such an in
pouring of emigration and capital as will con-
tribute greatly to the relief of all our people.
Then let every citizen of the State 60 to
work at once to promote this end 1t is the
only feasible plan which presents itself to us
as likely to aid the debtor in saving his
property, and in enabling him in the long
run to discharge all his obligations. If he
can do this he will not only be aided and
protected himself, but the interests of the
creditor will also be secured in the ultimate
payment of the debt.