The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-01-22
The Lien Laws.

It is an easy matter to confound the effect
with the cause. To overlook the beginning,
in the bitter end, to curse the failure rather
than the folly.
The hard fortunes that have been meeted
out to many of our worthy farmers, and the
grinding poverty that is staring them in the
face have conspired to render odious in their
minds the provisions of the lien laws Dis
couraged and embttered by the failure of the
crops, the depression of values, and the hard
effects of the panic they are disposed to MUIR
mur at the law, instead of the times.
They regard all the poverty in the land as
the result Of the lien laws. In this they mis-
take the effect for the cause, for the lien law is
but the grim, visible, outstanding effect of the
hard times, and not the cause.
Men clamor against the law and urge its re-
peal, as if by this simple process riches are to
be created, credit re-established, and prosperity
restored.
The press ever ready to pander to the popu-
lar whim, has caught up the cry and the au-
thors of the lien law are denounced heartily as
Gradgrinds, Quilps and Shylocks. Now this
whole hue and cry is contemplate stuf-an
unmanly whining over misfortunes that can
not be helped
Suppose they do repeal it, how is that to
like the salary grab; it will not release anyone
from single obligation; nor will it make
money any plentier or more available. Men
will not advance money without security. The
law does not compel any man to execute a
lien it is voluntary matter between man and
man. The farmer must be his own judge of
the propriety of the venture, just as the mer-
chant or the factor is of the security. If either
party is not competent to transact the business,
then let court Of lunacy be called in, and a
guardian appointed. Not that we would insin-
uate that the farmer, executing lien on his
crop, was fit subject for writ of lunacy-far
from it. We conceive that in many instances,
it is judicious venture. 1t enables them to
carry on the farming operation, whereas with
out it, they would have to let their fields lie
idle, and their hands be folded in Incidence.
If through the vicissitudes of fortune they have
lost the venture, it is no fault of theirs, and it
was far better to fail in an honest effort to sue
ceed, than it would have been to sit and whine
about hard times.
1t is quite fashionable low for persons to
lecture the public about going in debt. keep
out of debt, pay the money down; that's the
way to CO." complacently say these economists
Their advice is almost as sensible as that OF
the unfortunate Maria Antoinette, who when
the fierce cry of the mob for bread, penetrated
the gilded halls of the palace, and touched
her dainty ear-asked "Wbat is that the peo-
Pile want" "They want bread, your Majesty,
they are famishing for bread" "No bread, the
people have no bread-then let them eat
cake"
So write our economists; if the farmer can't
get credit without giving lien, let him pay
cash. "Ah but where is the cake to come
from, your Majesty"
Only this remains for the farmer to do, those
who have tried the lien law and found it op
pressive, can profit by their experience and
let it alone in future. Those who have by its
instrumentalities been enabled to keep their
operations active, may possibly need its help
again.-AHanta Commonwealth.