The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-10-18
VOL. "a.

which might otherwise be slack. Ifthey,
could not exist by the present system Of
credit, necessity would compel them TO
be in the advance, rather than in the
rear. They would then punctually face
and met their bills. The ancient and
religious maxim was that man should
earn his bread by the"sweaf ofhis brow"
and il was the better way that ones
bread should be earned before it was
eaten. The law placing man in Jail
either for Il larger or smaller sum, was
mlschievous to all concerned, and un-
worthy freq and enlightened people
For his own part he should deprecate OIL
every principle its endurance, and hoped
soon that the good sense of the commun-
ity would put an end 10 the evil by sub
slitntion gilmore mild and equitable laws.
After some desultory remarks by sew
eral gentlemen, the meeting was ad-
dressed by JOHN c. PARK, Esq.
Mr.. Z. q. GREENE followed and after
some Introductory observations proposed
an additional Resolution proposing in
substance that Committee should be
raised TO prepare memorial to be pre-
sented to The General Court, praying for
the total abolition of Imprisonment for
Debt.
GEORGE BLAKE, Esq remarked that it
was far from his intentions to address the
meeting on the main question of the pas
sage Of the resolutions at that time.--
They had been ably and eloquently adj
vocated, and he could scarcely submit
any remarks which would tend to strength
en- the sound positions already taken and
advocated 1t was subject cf no COM
mon or ordinary interest. The system of
Imprisonment for mere debt was a now
city in common law jurisprudence. He
need.not remark that it was a laudable
object for the citizens 10 assemble to en-
quire into it. When law on its face
appeared unconstitutional il was essen
tial to civil liberty, it was right impos-
ed and enloined by conscience and duty
upon us to examine il. Were the as.
sembled universe together, there could
be no variety of opinion that the law in
question was an anomaly in jurispru-
dence. No such law existed South Of
the line of New England In England
there was no such law; they would as
soon think oipunishing debtor on mencs
process by death as by Imprisonment
Ii such law were enacted there "a re-
bellion would bo the consequence. A
! law lmprisoning man without any pre-
monition would not be endured for a day,
not for an hour. But here creditor or
rather man may imprison his fellow
man at his own whim and caprice, or at
his prejudice and spleen without the
slightest evidence of any actual debit
This practice was never known or heard
of at common law. But still law had
crept into being by usage, and possibly
from that long usage might be consider
ed legal by existing courts at the pres
ent day. He was in favor of the addi-
tional resolution by. the gentleman in the
Gallery (Mr Green,) there was Bill
pending before the Legislature, which
in great measure obvated the evils of
the existing law, and met the views orhis
distinguished friend, Mr.. Webster, who
would express his sentiments before them
should this meeting adjourn to time
when he could be present.
The meeting was then addressed by
Mcssrs. Ruggles, Slack, John W.IWhit-
man and B. IL. Norton: after which It
was adjourned to the evening of Tues
day the 18th inst. at the same place.