Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-02-21

gone; that the negroes were the debts, az ID
the debts were negroes. This deny, and
say that they do not resemble each 9th l.
er in the least degree, for the very reason
that the negroes did not contract these
debts and know nothing about them. I
think it best to let pricate men settle pri-
cate affairs. Let honest men pay their
honest debts, whether they be new or old.
Then the poor class of our once prosperous
country will have an equal chance to live
and educate their children with those who
have once lived in splendor, and bought
their luxuries with money that belonged to
another. If men who owned slaves before
the war could get clear from paying their
old debts, they would surely rob the poor
er class of white men of what rightly be-
longed to them, and keep themselves in
possession of all the best lands in the South.
Then the poor man must remain all his
life a hireling for the rich man, and work
one day for whaJ he eats next. 7 ask, Can
an honest Christian man think it would
way ? | hear still small voice answer
no. No honest man will refuse to pay his
honest debts, let them be ever so old
Well may he ask, What will our country
come to For, were the old debts cast
aside, many who now claim to be 81 man 8
friend would then be his most inveterate
enemies. Gould you, or would you, con-
slider a man your friend when he had Dor
rowed your money that you worked hard
for, and then refuse to pay you? If SO,
give him your money and let him pay his
other debts, and we will thank you for it,
and always look upon you as our best friend
this side of Heaven.
&C. D." speaks of the soldiers who shed
their blood in the late war for those who
now seek to destroy them and their fami-
lies There I agree with him, for there
was not much fighting done by the people
who owned large plantations, Or many ne
groes, but it was done by poor men who
were not able to hire substitute, and were
not sufficiently educated to be an officer
GO A. Q. M" Or ga G.. S." only alluded to,
that they might keep themselves away from
" h01rid shot and SHE'LL" butwere sent to the
''Ji0nt" to dodge, ''grQb root," or receive
a bullet, as the case may be. I can men
ton many instances where the sons Of
wealthy parents arent to war, but there were
but few Of them who handled tie nausht.-
No doubt it would be better for IS c. D.. to
ask sympathy from his creditors than to
try to brighten them and make them give
to him what does not belong to him. He
Says that before the war our chances for
making money were too good. Then, [
ask, why is it that the people are so much
in debt? Is it on account of extravaganza,
neglect of duty, lack of energy, or what
can it be l presume it was little of all
of these. He wishes us to let the cries of the
widows and orphans reach our ears. This
we have done, and think they have gone
deeper into our ears than bis. Would
you, my friends, hink it right for a veal
thy physician to charge poor widow lone
whose husband was killed in the late war,
and she with four small children to main
tain who are scarcely large enough to help
her make fire), fifteen dollars for the set
ting of her little boys leg which was brok-
en- by his trying to drive a cart to relieve
his mother of some labor? We are willing
for the widows and orphans cries to reach
our ears, and then are willing to help them
as far as we are able.
&C. D." also says, :" the old debts are
on the verge Of the grave" and in all pro-
liability will soon be dead and buried, and
he would recommend that the darkies
preach their funeral sermon, as they were
close kin and constant companions. [ de-
ny their relationship, and must think SO.
L." would prefer the funeral job of the
debts himself. AS he seems to crave their
death so much, it is the general belief that
if sc. D." would work more and write less
he would soon have money enough to pay
his debts, and in all probability would take
off the great monster which is preying on
his great mind. Our motto is: Let all
honest men pay their honest debts.
JOHNNY RED.
Onsow Co., n. c., Feb. 9th, 1868.