Litchfield enquirer., 1839-05-09

tent this was In fact done, am not INFORMED.
Ninety towns only have made returns to the
Secretary. think this Assembly may now
provide q mode Of ascertaining what is the
vote of the towns which have acieIl, and may
submit the amendment anew to those which
have not. The returns already made and to
be made, can be directed by law IN the As.
sembly, or be examined by some other board
under their authority, in which case the Lee
gisIature will have directed the manner of as.
certaining the votes of the electors, and this
is all which the constitution requires. As
there is no doubt of a general wish to have
the constitution amended as proposed, it is
desirable to have the amendment establish
ed, if possible, and think ii may be done in
the way have mentioned. To guard against
future omissions in like cases, would re-
commend the passage of general law ap-
plicable to all future amendments of the
Constitution,
Imprisonment for debt, under different
notifications, has existed in this State from
its earliest settlement. But in later times,
more liberal and just views have prevailed,
until it has been so much restricted, that it
scarcely exists at all, at the present time
The object of imprisonment for debt was
never TO punish an unfortunate debtor, but
to coerce payment where there is ability to
pay, and to prevent the contraction of debts
from reconsideration or bad faith. But the
Imprisonment of ones person is of itself so
great deprivation, and to the family of the
debtor so humiliating, that public sentiment
demands, and justly demands, every posi-
BILE amelioration Of the law. 1t is sometimes
resorted to from improper motives towards
the debtor, and sometimes to compel friends,
through sympathy, to pay the debts Of a rel
alive, and the power, at best, is liable to
abuse. 1t is true, that such are our present
laws, that poor debtor, when arrested on
mesne process, can at once obtain his dis
charge on making his oath before magis-
trate, and when imprisoned on execution,
can be released on taking the poor debtors
oath but am inclined to believe it is best
to extend the exemption, so that there shalt
be no arrest or imprisonment Of the body, in
case of future debts, on mesne or final pro.
cess, where the sum does not exceed one hun.
bred dollars. In strictness there should be,
even with this Limitation. some exceptions
but they are few, the necessary modifica-
lions of the law would be difficult, and tho
sum itself is small, SO that it is desc rving of
consideration, If the repeal should not be abb
ceeds one hundred dollars, would leave the
law of Imprisonment as it now stands.
As citizens of the State, we cannot be in
different 10 the noble efforts which our fer-
low citizens are making, to open, by inter-
nal improvements, new facilities and cham
nels Of trade. The salutary effects of these
efforts will ere long be seen developing hid
den resources of wealth, and advancing thu
prosperity ofthe State. Every section is, as it
were, brought to the margin of the sea, and
thus all are made to enjoy the benefits Of good
markets and rapid communication. Ifit has
not been the policy of the State itself toem-
bark in these works. she cannot be indiffer-
ent to the distinguished energy and success
with which individuals have pressed them
forward. We honor their perseverance, and
their enlarged views of public interests.
On former occasion, ! invited the atten-
ton fthe Assembly to class of our follow
beings most deserving public care and libe-
rality. mean the insane poor. Their num-
Der in the State, according 10 report made
a few years since, is very considerable
Their condition is fOrlorn and wretched, and
their appeals to our humanity and christian
philanthropy cannot with propriety, be lon
ger resisted. We have hitherto done MOTH
ing for their relief, while many, if not most
of our sister States have made ample provis-
ion for them, and held the subject worthy of
particular regard.
There are fourteen'pupils supported by the
State in the American Asylum for the deaf
and dumb. The Principal reports to me that
they are attentive TO their duties. and give
promise OF usefulness and responsibility,
There are two blind youth supported by
the State in the Institution for the blind, in
the city of Boston.
would suggest to the Legislature the pro-
priety of rendering some MD to the Wesley
an University at Middletown. This young
institution has not shared in the bounty ofthS
State. Considering the arduous efforts it has
been making to take IFS place among our COLI
leges the extent to which it is promoting
sound learning and religion. and the afffc-
ton with which it is cherished by largo
body of christians, are we not called upon
to cOuntenance and succor it with impartial
liberaliiy! Such donations are not, rs is
sometimes claimed, the taking CT money frcrn
one class to besiow exclusively upon anotf-
er. Every man is taxed, to some extent. for
common schools, though he may have no
family to be benefited by them. Why then
may not the public occasionally aid in fos-
tering higher institutions, which are open TO
all, and in which INDECENT youth are often
distinguished for learning and moral excel
ience! In country like ours. Of such free
institutions, where industry and integrity are
passport not only to wealth and influence.
but to places of trust and distinction where
intelligence and religious principle are es-
sential to the safety of general suffrage, we
are all of US interested. and deeply interest,"
cd, ir whatever promotes knowledge and vir-
tue. On them our institutions are based,
with them they will rise. with them fall In
their light, and under their sanctions, our
laws are made and administered. 1t is their
spirit which breathes through all the rela-
tons of society. and spreads charm over
the domestic circle The temple of religion
the forum of justice-the hall of legisla-
ton. unite their testimony in favor Of the
deep influences of knowledge and virtue
These are alike our birthright and our bull.
WA rk-these our glory.