Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-05-13
TO the editor OF the Gazette.
Imprisonment for Debt and the nsao
I4ct of Congress.


is pervading every part OF the un'on' La
y issuance of the recommendation OF go
vernon Robertson, law abolishing lmPri-
sonment for debt has passed the Senate OF
Louisiana, and little doubt can exist OF ITS
receiving the sanction OF the other legis-
js,iye branches. A law TO the same pur-
port has been enacted in the state OF North
Carolina, aud went into operation on the
iirst of this month. 10 some other states,
1 understand, that the same law prevails.
IL it only were an act OF the states which
have been named, think The example IS
rnagosnimous, and should be followed oy
every legislature in the union. That Il
will in the course OF time be generally a.
dopted am convinced, as the human
mial becomes more enlightened, and re-
publican principles are applied to practice.
This subject has been considerably dis
cussed in legislative and political bodies,
and the expression Of sentiment has been
uniform in favor of humanity. 1t has also
invited the attention Of able writers in the
northern section Of our country, and i'm
prisoament for debt has been condemne d
as barbarous practice, and the relics OF
antiquity. Any one who properly reflects
upon the subject, ought to De satisfied, that
poverty is 70 crime, but misfortune
which ought TO be regarded with the hnest
sympathies OF our nature. A distinction
should invariably be made between the
wicked intents vi the heart and the Casu-
altes oil contract and trade. Ii IS impos-
sibie to add stronger arguments than those
which have been already adduced frou,
the message OF governor Robertson: it is
lucid exposition OF the constitution and
laws Of the land it has the force OF
commentary, and ought 10 be received as
ouch, Truly, at first Few, i, is matter
OF astonishment that Imprisonment tor debt
was ever allowed TO exist an instant IN
this nation. After having iIeed ourselves
from political bondage, we should also
have cast of the chains which bound our
civil condition. but great amendments
in judicial usages must necessarily be the
work o! time. Political reform was &C
complished by the sword, which produces
immediate and rapid effects. In the mo-
neut that the equality OF the rights OF man
was asserted, patriotism gave thesillpulse,
and valcr terminated the contest e Not SO
with the destruction OF feudaI barbarlsm.
The enactment of laws, applicable 10 the
change OF a people from slavery to Tree.
dom, requires considerable time, delibe-
ratiuu and talents. These requisites have
been completely unfolded, and were clear
" exempli6ed in the speech OF col. John
son in the Senate of The United States -
II is worthy OF being enrolled in letters Of
gold.-Its effect was as might have been
expected. The principle was acknow-
lodged 10 be correct, but the difficulty ex-
listed in the regulation of details. The
mind of the Senate was awakened to the
consideration OF a truth, which had been
obscared for ages through lack OF just in.
vesligatIon. The polity of Europe, from
some unsocial attribute, did Lot admit Of
favoring the rights OF creditors. I be
great necessity tor lmprisoDIng state cri-
mInals ia that continent has rendered the
doctrine congeniaI to the opinions ohststes;
men and from hardhGod oil character,
formed by circumstances, il may be never
changed. Times and principles among US
have been happily altered and The world
is Yet to witness how far the people OF his
republic are willing 10 proceed in more
general redemption Of man from the evils
of old government how far man shall
be rescued from he chains Of personal
slavery. This them is the&Rreat doctrine
which is to be explained. Even in the des-
potism OF Italy, an advocate Of human
freedom was found in Beccaria, name
Synonymous with genius and virtue. But
his modes of thinking did not suit that
cline they were too refined with the
spirit OF wisdom and the essence OF bene-
violence. TO what nation then are they
suited? most unquestionably TO this me.i
dian, where we profess 10 put into prac-
lice all tbose estimsble qualities OF the
head and heart, which have been the re-
suit OF our pollicsl revolution. The same
spirit which dictated federation in ieli
gion, seeks the happiness OF man in What's