Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-28

right is liberty it mnst be odious. The wealth
and prosperity OF nailon. the comforts OF socl-
ETY.. and the happiness OF families. depend upon
active Industry, combined with well.drected en-
terprise. Oar laws and institutions rac"gniZe no
classes Farmers, me, hHiics. merchants, pro-
fessional men, and the capitalist, are all peers.
The revolutions in property, and distinctions re-
sulting from industry, virtue, and talent alone.
are as certain as the revolutions OF the seasons.
They cannot be perpetuated in Que Family, nor
excluded from another. The poor may become
wealthy, and the rich poor.
The prospect of success invigorates the hand
OF industry, ant, gives impetus to the n"biest ell
terprise. To these exertions, every encourage
ment should be given; but when the cloud OF mis-
fortune lowers. To cOnsign us victim To the prison,
is TO blast his future prospects, aud to Tx upon
his family the mark of degradation. 10 MAINTAIN
that confidence which is necessary to a lair and
reasonable credit, efiectua remedies should be
provided against the property OF the debtor, al
ways reserving from execution such articles as
necessary for the pursuit OF MS calling; but
that he may retain the spirit OF useful enterprise,
for the benefit of bath his family and the commu-
nity, those reserve atoms should be carefully
guarded. and the freedom OF his person always
secured. 1t cannot be denied that great caami-
too much credIt-sedom never from too little;
and It is equally certain, that the excess of Gre
dit rs frequently proceeds from him who gives,
as from him who receives it.
If Imprisonment for debt shall be totally abo-
lished, the parties will understand the proper leg
innate resource for the fuIflment of contract:
i, will then upon its proper basis-the person
granting credit will confte in the ability OF The
debtor to meet the claim, or he will require sa
tisfactorv pledges. Whatever censure may at
tsch TO the abuse of credit, it is but Just divide
il between them. 1t is frequently as injurious to
the one dis the other. and without the voluntary
consent of both, it cannot exist. In the present
state Of society, the injury of the system may be
seen and felt in limited degree, and persons not
accustomed to visit the abodes of misery, will
scarcely be convinced of IT. dangerous tendency.
But as population becomes more dense, the dltii-
Guilty Of procuring the comforts of life must be
ncrrased: then, il the power OF the creditor over
the personal liberty of his debtor shall remain, il
will b. exercised with unrrlenting severity; tho
our republican forms NAV br preserved, their es-
sence may be destroyed The country will be
divided into two great classes, creditors and debt
ors. between whom the most obstinate hostIlIties
will exist; and as in Greece and Rome, society
may BE- convulsel, confidence destroyed, and H.
beriy endangered.
We should egislare with view TO posterity-
that, with our fair inheritance, we may transmit
to them a harmonious system, calculated to sus-
tain their rights, and perpetuate the blessings of
freedom.
While imprisonment for debt is sanctioned. the
threats of the creditor are source Of perpetual
distress TO the dependent, friendless debtor, hold
ing his liberty by suffrance alone. Temptations
to oppression are constantly in view. The means
of injustice are al ,avs at hand; and even help
ess female, are not exempted from the barbarous
practice. In land of liberty, enjoying in al!
other respects the frees, and happiest government
with which the world was ever blessed, u rs mat
ter of ast0ni,hment that thus cruel custom, anO-
molous to all our institutions. infcting so much
misery upon society, should have been SO long
edured. 1t Is at variance wi h the settled cha
racter of our population. Whenever objects Of
charity present themselves, all our svmpathies
are called into acton. There is scarcely ham
let in our country, where benevolent societies do
not exist-olten extending their munifirence to
families deprived of their support by this oppres-
sive system. We have not only expended our
treasure to enlighten the sons of the forest. but
we have sought out the victims OF misfortune IN
foreign regions. The isles of the Pacific, the
burning climes of Africa. the children OF wretch
edness in Europe and in Asia. even the land of
Palestine. have enjoyed the fruits OF American
benevolence, obtained by voluntary contribution.
while the cries of the unfortunate debtor among
us are unheard & unrequtted. PuDiIc sentiment
demands his release but avarice pleads the cause
of oppression, and prejudice rivets the chain.
The committee ask leave to report BILL