S. F. Smith to Frederick Douglass, March, 1852
Letter from S. F. Smith.
Mr. Editor:—Will you hear me a few words? There have been several laws passed in this State since my remembrance that tell favorable on the side of progress. Such was the law abolishing imprisonment for debt—exemption of homestead—persons owning property being liable for tax on the same, if it has become a law, &c., &c. I think, however, we might progress a little farther, without endangering in the last the best interests of the human race. Such would be the Main Liquor Law, universal suffrage without regard to sex or color, and a grant of [160] acres of the public domain to actual settlers at a cost that will cover surveying and deed, not a foot to any other body, rail road companys not excepted. And next to these, and of equal importance to our Nation and the World, in my opinion, would be, a law abolishing courts for the collection of debts. Town, County, State, and United States, away with them all. Perhaps you say, this state of things would make rogues plenty and honest men scarce. Just the reverse, I think. It would be throwing around the fair dealer a shield, such a one as they never yet have been blessed with, and it would put a damper upon knavery, such a damper as it has never
yet had to contend with. Let us examine a little. Rogues would become honest almost universally, or go hungry. Again, all that bad blood that is now fostered by needless litigation, would be scarce—no small item. The tax of time and money expended in the same way, would be avoided, and so on to the end of the chapter. But I must conclude, for I am aware that this subject is unpopular, and will meet with but little favor at the present day. I have hopes the day is not far distant, when, instead of singing about that good time coming, we can sing, it is here.
Yours with kind regard,
S. F. Smith.
Siloam, Madison Co. N.Y. March, 1852.