The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1868-04-15


negro constitution is not only it
self a cheat, but it is to defeat al
legitimate relief, and prevent oul
people from doing what they
otherwise would do to improve
their condition. Let US enumer
ate some of the evils that must re
suit from this agitation:
j 1st. A large majority Of credit
ors are now willing to act liberally
with their debtors, and take a rea
sonable portion of their debts
But debtors, by this relief agita,
tion, are encouraged to pay moth.
ing. Creditors will be compelled
to hold on to their debts until the
laws can be enforced, and all the
time interests is accumulating,
The time will come when courts
will be open and law will be ad,
ministered. These creditors, out
ragged by the efforts of the debtors
to get rid Of all the debt will exact
the last dollar and listen to no
compromise.
I'd. Very unfortunate bitterness
of feeling will spring up among
our people. Efforts which ought
to be given to production and i'm
provement of property, will be
given to conceal, hide and cover
up property. There are unscrupu-
lous lawyers now engaged in en-
eouraging this business. I know
of lawyers who are now promised
large amounts to defeat the collec-
ton of debts. I know some fool
ish debtors who are paying law
yers amounts to defeat debts,
which the creditors would accept
and give UP the debts.
Why, you will say such men are
erazy! So in one sense, they are.
They are crazy with a passion
against creditors. They prefer to
paythe money to lawyers who
flatter them to creditors who
trusted them. So, many men are
run crazy. Every man who votes
to, accept negro dominion 10 get
false relief is erazyl Every man
who so votes is selling his chill
dren's hopes and his, wife's happi-
ness for a cheat-worse than a
cheat.
Sd. While all this is being done
we shall have negroes and Yam
kees-in the Legislature establish
ing free schools for negroes, to be
supported by taxation upon the
whites, and taught by New Eng
land teachers to increase the ha-
trid between the races; and, while
our industry will be paralized and
our products almost destroyed,
our taxes will be fully doubled.
Property will also be deprecated
still more and more, and our peo-
pie will lose more in increased tax
alton and by the loss of property
values than would be sufficient to
pay their debts three times over.
4th. In the meantime the Bank
rupt act will have expired, and
thousands will have failed to avail
themselves Of it.
5th. Every man who votes for
this negro constitution to avoid
paying his debts, will never be
able to get credit again. Many
live by credit; but, having shown
themselves willing to defraud, no
sane man will. ever after trust
them. The rich man can live
without credit, OR get it on his
property. The poor man is depen-
dent on his character, and when
that is gone he is ruined.
9th. Those who are agitating
this question Of relief are not the
oppressed men, or the poor men,
or the men of industry, or men OF
any class who deserve relief and
really merit protection: They
are: 1. The wealthy men in debt
who desireto hold their property
and evade their debts also. 2.
they are unprincipled, ambitious
demagogues, who are seeking to
take advantage of the peoples
misfortunes, to inhame their pas,
slons and create false hopes, to en-
able them and the thieves who al