Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-04-26


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THE FENCE LAW, AGAIN.
By law of their nature, the human family
are averse to all changes. 1t is difficult to
convince us that the way in which we have
been acting in the past, is not the right way
Precedent, we regard both law and right
The inquiry with most of US is not what is
best under existing circumstances but what
was the practice of those who preceded u.s.
We are naturally inclined to think that eve
rything that is old is good and right, and
whatever is new, is, if not actually bad and
wrong, to be received with great caution
This is wise provision of nature. Were it
not the case, the past would be worth no more
to us, so far as afording examples after which
to pattern is concerned, than the future. The
individual who adheres tenaciously to the
practices of his ancestors, is not to be hastily
branded asan "old fogy." There is something
that, at least, resembles heroism, in the man
who clings to the precepts and practices of the
past, even after he has discovered that they
are of doubtful proprety. We can admire
such an individual, whilst we can only hold
in contempt the individual who changes his
opinions and practices as often as the wind
changes its course.
1t is evident, however, that we may cling
to the precepts and practices of the past, with
such a tenacity as to not only impede, but
completely stop all progress. This is true in
every department of life. Only short time
ago, no such thing as chimney had an exis'
tence. 1t is impossible to read over the ar
guments which were advanced, at one time,
against the use of chimneys, without being
astounded. The arguments were too absurd
to be laughed at. They excite within US a
commingled feeling Of pity and contempt
The first huts which the New England fathers
built, had no chimneys. The fire was built
in the centre of the room, and the smoke
made its way, as best it could, through the
cracks of the walls and roof. When some
one proposed a change in this thing, he met
with violent opposition. He was villi6ed as
wild and reckless innovator. Mothers ar
gued that the free circulation of the smoke
through the house, was good for the lungs OF
their tender babes fathers declared that the
smoke preserved the timbers of the house
from decay. The cry was raised, all over the
country, that so soon as chimneys were intro
duced, the people would all become sickly and
the houses would soon rot down. Gradually
the change was made, and everybody admit
ted that chimney was a good thing. 1t
was, however, miserable concern-little
more than pile of stone reared at one end
of the house.
Thus the thing continued in old England
and New England, until the days of Ben
Franklin. He constructed chimney with
suction Aues. The introduction of the first
chimney, met with violent opposition. Ben
Frankln's improvement net with opposition.
Multitudes argued that the old smoke stack,
which was first introduced, was good enough.
Ben Franklin's chimney was, by degrees, dis
covered to be decided improvement upon
the old chimney, and is now, after having un-
dergoue many improvements, in use all over
the civilized world.
Now this will serve to illustrate the aver
sion which men have to making changes in
anything. Evidently, this aversion to change,
whilst it is of vital Importance to the happi-
ness and prosperity Of the human family,
may be carried to ruinous extreme. 1t is
to be expected that every proposed change,
whether it be change in the avocations of
life or in the manner of conducting that avo-
cation, will meet with opposition. Wesee an
example of this in the tenacity with which
the Southern people adhere to the almost ex-
elusive cultivation of cotton. They admit
that the practice is not, under present circum-
stances, the best but they are in the rut and
out they cannot get without tremendous effort.
A change will be proposed at no distant
day in the existing fence law of South Caro-
lima. This change, no doubt, will meet with
violent opposition. Good men-men, it may
be said, with liberal views-will oppose it.
On the other hand, no doubt, reckless innova-
tors will advocate an instant and radical
change in the law. Extremists on both sides
will say many hard and bitter things. The
result will be, unless prudence and reason re-
tain the control over passion and prejudice,
that neighborhood broils and personal diff
culties will spring up to the great detriment of
the peace, happiness and prosperity of the
country.
The time has come, when, whether change
is made, or not, in the fence law of the State,
a change will be proposed. The matter has
been talked about for several years, and the
time is not far distant when some action will
be taken. 1t is the duty of the land owners
of the State to look this subject fair in the
face. Every circumstance for and against
the proposed change, should be weighed.
The landowners are more Immediately inter-
ested in the matter than the rest of the citi-
zens but all are interested. Whatever will
retard or advance the agricultural interests of
the State, will retard or advance the interests
of every citizen of the State, from the hum
blest hirelng to the Chief Magistrate. What
is the interest of the land owner is the inter-
est of his laborers.
Whilst We would by no means advise the