Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-11-17
From the Boston Com. Gaz
lMPRISONM NMENT FOR DEBT. =.


AT numerous meeting of Delegates from
the several Wards in this city, and from
South Boston, assembled to take meas
ures to secure the nomination of suitable
Senators and Representatives for the next
Legislature, who are known to be friend
~ to the abolition of Imprisonment for
Debt, the following ADDRESS, as reported
by Committee appointed for that pur-
pose, was unanimously adopted, and or
dered to be published in the newspapers
TO THE ELECTORS OF MASsACHU.
SETS.
FELLOW CITIzENs.--The period for
the first election of members of the exec
utive and legislative branches of our gov
crnment, under the amended constitution,
is now at hand; and we are again called
upon, one and all to appoint the public
servants for their several duties. We be-
licve we express the opinion of vast
majority of our fellow citizens, wien we
declare, that it is time to select cand-
dates for those Offices, who will repeal
all laws that PUNISH MISFORTUNE AS A
CRIME. The State stands disgraced and
we, as enlightened and civilized men,
living under an avowed free and liberal
government, are justly chargeable with
crime, and gross neglect of our duty, in
suffering laws, which would bring shame
on any age, to exist among u.s. AS a
christian nation, we stand disgraced with
law, which Turk cannot think of
without indignation. A few of the rea-
sons which induce us to press an mmedi-
.lfn al nf ha In ,,I
tollows:-
Imprisonment for Debt is a fraud up
on the community. Because it holds out
the semblance ofa remedy, which in fact
does not exist.
Imprisonment is useless for small debts
Because the risk of losing the cost, is
greater than the chance of recovering
the debt.
Imprisonment is useless in cases of
large debts. Because the debtor can
well afford to spend thirty days to dis
charge sum greater than he could gain
in that period. Il
Imprisonment for Debt, cannot detect
concealed property. Because disclos-
ure of such property is obtained by put
ting debtor upon his oath, which is done
after Imprisonment, and might as well be
done BEFORE. i
Imprisonment for Debt is a species of
torture 1t is, in fact, revival of the
principles ofthe Spanish Inquisition, and
PROCESSES by the torture Of confinement,
to compel men to disclose their property
and give evidence against themselves,
whereas, according to the spirit of our
government, the crime of willully con-
cealing property, to cheat creditors out
Of their honest debts, ought to be proved ;
by legal evidence, like any other crime, ;
and upon conviction, and then only, to
be visited with condign punishment.
Imprisonment for Debt is opposed to
benevolent Societies. Because it creates
the distress, which they are established
to relieve, and generates the vices and G
crimes, which it is their object to prevent
or reform. III
In an especial manner, Imprisonment il
for Debt promotes intemperance. Be- il
cause many trader will credit drunk |,
ard, or hard drnker, to the bare amount
for which he can imprison him, when he O
would not otherwise trust him to the VAL o
Tie of shilling. =
Imprisonment for Debt is opposed to C
the principles of republican govern o.
ment. Because it creates Il privileged
order Of despots, who have power over
the happiness and liberty oftheir unfortu- D.
nate fellow itizens. {
Imprisonment for Debt is opposed to p
the constitution of Massachusetts; which tc
especially provides, that no person shall Il
receive an infamous punishment, without h
trial before an impartial jury; and de- a
ciares that no law shall be passed repug- Of
nant to the constitution, and abounds
with professions in favor of personal lib
erty. m
Imprisonment for Debt is contrary to
public sentiment Inasmuch as no per- -
son would be willing to have his name
given to the public, as the erecutioner OF su !,
his tyrannical law. Even the attornies ,;O ao
IRE ashamed, and would account it vile w
stigma to have their names publicly post =
I'd, as having assisted in the torture of cs ce
ellow citizen. Cl
Imprisonment for Debt must in time be sp
,bolishcd. Amclioration in the law is nl
going on, and the stream of
IN enlightened, virtuous, and indignant Br
public sentiment, will very soon sweep on
,way every vestigc of this barbarous in
,ova,ion upon the common sense of "A for
rec, humane and civilized nati'S. Why N.
lelay the destruction of hideous image, ~
md with ldolatrous yencration continue 10 -