Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-08-24
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.
No. v.

vious articles, has seen mat nave enueaVOfed 10
establish the following propositions -
That Imprisonment for debt is unjusIfabIe, and
has no warrant 10 any principle of civilized ''le.-
That The right ofimprisonmenI leads TO overlrading.
That this right is unnecessary as means OF collect.
ing debs. That the natural basis of credit is the
property in the hands Of The debiol, convertible
into cash. That any credit beyond the value of
the property which is supposed TO continue in the
hands of the purchaser, is injurious 10 the commu
nifty.
1t follows from these propositions, that the con-
sumers should never buy on credit, on the ground
tba, the property is not supposed to remain in their
hands as a means Of payment. 1t also follows, that
the great class Of laborers, operatives, and indeed
all who do not buy 10 sell again, should deal for
casl, in hand That for all purposes of circulating
the products Of industry from the farm, shop, and
mandatory, cred, as means of circulation. an
instrument Of commerce, is UNSUITABLE, and tends
greatly TO encourage industry, stimulate en,erpi se
and increase the general prosperity. That this
credit 10 order TO he sound and healthy should new
er he extended beyond the value Of The pr 0ducts Of
industry which il thus crcuaIes. THIS consider
is The sensible view of The matter, and has a prac.
tical bearing. II shows that the creditor should
look 10 the properly for payment. and demonstrates
in The clearesl manner that Imprisonment, is unne.
cessary, impo',ic, and unjust.
Credit creates sort OF currency, or is ITSELF IN
the nature If currency. Currency is measure Of
value, that by which people buy and sell-tha, for
which the products Of industry are exchanged
and i, hardly need he said that 1t becomes The dur,
OF government TO see to it that every hing that re
la,es TO the currency is sound and stable. No ma.
ton can exist without currency, for an universal
system of barter tn exchange Of one commod'l,
for another, is impossible. When enterprise and
industry prevail, The products of industry will
abound and be offered in the maj, keI, and whatever
is received as payment becomes the currency, or al
least in The nature of currency. This. TO he safe,
should he at all times of eq"alvalue, every fuclua.
ton tending 10 deranse The relative value Of The
products of industry. But i, is not my intention 10
discuss the fixed question Of currency. 1t belongs
more properly TO The general government, as an in
strumen, of commerce over which The constitution
has given them control aud which they are bound to
exercise in such way that - the general welfare"
shall never he in jeopardy through the evils of
fucluaing currency.
Disconnected from The subject of the currency,
the credit Of the country is TOO important 10 he
overlooked bv The government. ! have entea,ored
10 show thai il has an intimate connection with in
dusIry, giving it an impulse by healthy credit, and
proslratng il by an unavailable credit. ] may 60
further and say that credit af; cts the four cardinal
virtues of repubIicanism 10 which, haye before
alluded, industry, frugaIily, intelligence, and virtue
The virtues and vices are banded together, and
whatever measure pomoles one virtue, affects more
or less all the others. know of few subjects that
have more extensive bearings Than Imprisonment
for debt. The denial of this barbarous right is
founded in that virtue without which no govern.
ment can long continue II is strictly republican
measure, and should be advocated on the groun of
its republican tendencies. II is solicsm 10 con
tend lha, men are equal and still allow one 10 i'm.
prison another. Abolishiog Imprisonment would
produce state of greater equality, would give TO
the lowest class greater independence Of mind,
higher sense Of their own true worth. II would in.
crease the number and strength of The effective
class. The productive class, that great class on
whom lie happiness and prosperity of,he republic
manly depends. In a word, aboishng all impris.
onment, would increase The prosperity Of The coun
try, add 10 its glory, introduce higher standard Of
excellence, and render more secure the happiness
OF all.
This sub jet has for many years, occupied the
public attention. but nothing el1ecual has been
done. Like many other great subjects it is ap
preached with a trembling hand, and though men
seem convinced OF its importance and necessity,
they cannot shake of all fear. In 1884 the Iegis.
Iaiure passed an act but shackIed and irammelled,
and il was rejected by The council. During The last
year II again came before The legislature and seems 10
nave occupen more attention. In The house il was
referred 10 committee, and Mr.. Needham made
an excellent report, discussing the subject in yery
able manner. The house passed bin and sen, +,
to the senate; and there it seems 10 have drop,ed
at least. cannot follow il through their journal
The public have not lost sight Of it. Political mar.
ties are striving TO see which shall pass the mos,
patriotic resolutions il has become in some mea.
sure the hobby, and The danger is tina, The aspiring
will strive 10 mount it and ride it for effect.
have brought it forward alta time when men can
examine i, free from the heat OF political excne.
ment. have done what could TO place it on its
merits. am aware have done but little
hope Others will do more. II any are opposed to
its abo'iIion, cali on them TO come forward and
show their strong reasons and they shall be answer
ed. But deprecs,e all enemies in Disguise, all
preiendcd friends, who are ready 10 load il down