Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-10-19
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

Fello,o CitiSens of The Senate
and ofMe House Of Representatives.:
We have assembled in behalf of our con-
etituents, to transact legislative business.
Ours is responsible station: and this res
possibility constitutes one Of the distinctive
features Of n republican government. Our
frequent elections bring into immediate
contact legislators and constituents, and
enable the people themselves, the true
source of all poIi'icaI power. annually to
call their public servants to account Our
immediate duties confne US to our own
State, not so exclusively however, as to
render US forgetlul Of the relation wo sus-
tain TO the Genera Government.
Providence has smiled propitously the
past season upon the labors Of the hus.
bandman.
The favorable change which has taken
place in the pecuniary affairs and business
Of our country, since the adjournment Of
the last General Assembly, is a subject of
sincere congratulaion. 1t may be matter
of surprise and wonder to those unacQuain.
ted with American character. that we
should so soon have recovered from the
shock which paralyzed our entire business
transactions and threatened with ruin many
OF our most useful citizens. From the ma.
ture OF our institutions we had reason TO
expect the prompt interposilion Of the
General Government, to aid in removing
the causes of embarrassment, and restoring
confidence throughout the country. These
expectations were disappointed. The whole
powers ofthe General Government appear
IN huv hoo h.o, ~.
to carry favorie measure, which in the
opinion of large majority of our citizens,
would have been highly disastrous to our
best Interests. That attempt has resulted
in q signal failure. since which, confidence
has been reviving with astonishing rapdi,y
business is again returning to its accus.
toned channels, thus unequvocally cvlncing
that the energies Of free people cannot,
tor any length of time. be restrained, bv
even the most untoward circumstances. 1t
10 but another example TO be added to the
many which occur in our history, showing
the facility with which our people can &c
comodate themselves to any circumstances
and surmount any difficulties.
Intellectual attempts have repeatedly beer
made 10 abolish imprisonment for debt
Although they have not resulted in The
entire accomplishment Of their object, they
have, nevertheless, led to an investigation
of the rights of creditor and debtor highl,
favorable to judlcious. equitable and en-,
Hghlened legislation upon The subject.
It be admitted that misfortune should no
be visited with punishment us crime, ant
that punishment should not be left to b,
meled out by the credlor,- The person O
all others, most likely to do injustice in III,
case.--,hen the first object fihe law shout,
DO 10 mark the distinction IN q manner s,
plain that the unfortunate should neve
10 mistaken for the criminal. The debtor
upon disclosing and surrendering his mean
ior the discharge of his debts. should there
oy d'a'm his creditor of ali power o incar
cera'e his body. Our existing laws upol
that sub]e c,, it may be salc, are not oppres
slve, IN their operation; that the really poo
debtor may always avoid imprisonment, b.
making disclosure on the rendition a
judgment. This may be true. Bot,
may well be asked does not our presen
law unnecessarily place tho poor debtor i
the power Of a vindictive creditor. nv ner
uniting him to fix upon a distant dov fo
trial, and, in the mean time imprison III
poor debtor, ifha fail TO obtain the in,erno
sition OF friehds' Would il not be on ac, a
humanity, as we'll a. Of justice, 10 proyid