Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-10-13
man-may with proprieiy declare to the
world the often repeated and misapplied
adage-"primciples not men"
] am, &c. $. nj. STILWELL.

am, &c. -. vi. SIILW ELL.
After reading the letter, the Chairman
said, that from the account therein given,
it appeared that the efforts made in the
great State Of New ork to remedy the
abuse of Imprisonment for Debt had
been attended with signal success. This
encouraging fact ought to inspire us with
additional zeal in the same benevolent
work. Massachusetts had ever been re-
garded as the head quarters of good
prlnci pies, and although she had not
actually taken the lead on this subject,
would doubtless be among the first States
to follow the praIseworthy examples Of
New Y ork, Ohio and Kentucky.
i The resolutions which were introduced
by Major Lobdell, at the former meeting,
and were published in the report Of the
proceedings, were then taken up for dis
cussion.
The Rev. Dr. BEEcHER then address
sed the meeting.-lte began by saying
that it was iavorite opinion of the old
world that men were incapable Of self
government This opinion, iostcred and
cherished by antiquity extended both to
church and state. 1t was considered
absolutely necessary to have king to
take care of both. Mankind were una
bic to govern themselves, and the govern
mcnts of Europe viewed us when we set
up for ourselves, with pity and contempt.
We were considered scmi-barbarians.
When however they found that VIC co lid
raise corn and bread to support ourselves,
and some to spare, they had come in
crowds TO visit us and we were glad TO
see them. Here there were no chains
nor manaclcs, no dungeons. While we
are hailing these cmigrants and giving
them welcome to our shores, we learn
tidings that the European world is hcav-
ing with political convulsions. The ma
tons are bursting their lcttcrs, and prov
ing that mankind are capable Of govern
ing themselves. In dcspotic govern
ments force was the ruling principle but
in ours, intellect, princi pie and consci-
ence were equally effective. The rights
OF individuals of course were the good of
the whole community. In obtaining the
rights Of individuals or OF IA community,
it was necessary to count the cost, and
reckon the practicability. The popula-
ton of this community were, in every
sense, qualified to be free, not by instinct,
but by its native intelligence. But in
order to keep our Liberties secure, it was
by no means unnecessary to watch our
rulers. Every act of them should be
watched by the people, for they worke
for him and were accessible to corrup-
ton. They were hired by the people to
do duty for them and possibly might be
hired to neglect it. The responsibility of
our rulers was the main spring of their
causes of action and that response
bility, those rulers should feel. lgno-
rance in them was as fatal as Indifference;
and confidence like capital in mcrcan-
tile affairs should be well looked to. Con-
fdcncc should be given by Republics in
a limited scnse--mplcit confidence
never
The question before the meeting was,
whether they would endeavor to weed
out the remnants of despotic and bar
barous age, to purge from the laws reg
ulatine man and man thing which
should have been purgcd from them a
gcs ago? 1t was no question to awaken
the fever ofparty spirit, but it was qucs-
ton of Justice, liberty and mercy; one
upon which every one could exercise his
own independent will.
For himself, being no lawyer, he could
only reason upon the subject as mat
ter of common sense. Viewing it in this
light he was prepared TO state that he
believed imprisonment for debt to be un-
constitutional In the first place it was
an er post tacto law; to prove this he re-
lcrrcd to the constitution: and then sta
ted the following case. Amechanic buys
goods and perhaps makes good bar
gain. There is no law forbidding him
to do this. The constitution does not
make the act of purchase crime. On
account of some misfortune he is unable
to pay for them when the money becomes
due. All is lawlul--yet suit is com
mcnced and the purchaser imprisoned &
punished. An act is made punishable
as a crime after it has been performed,
which before was no CRIME. This Is er
post jdcio, for the crime and punishment
originated at the purchase, or else the
punishment was after the iawjul contract.
by the Bill of Rights all men are born
free and equal; but one class of citizens
make bargains and bear revorses-anoth-
er make none. Both are equally cnti-
tied to be free and equal, if both are G.
qually free from crime. But one class,
in consequence OF having made unior-
tuna'c contracts; are punished by impris-
onment, and are of course not equally
free with the other, though they never
committed crime Auain. no citizen is