The native American., 1839-02-23
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.

nCHt iVi u'bt' hV law Ju>t'INiHS ''iiS P''''
tice hitherto generally prevailing in the United
States both as a federal and stat. law, il is con
tended is suited only 10 the dark ages of b'lba,
IisIn, OF which i, is denounced as the descended
relic We are no friend to this law, but we re-
ally think the subject has not been duly c"nsid.
cred in all its bearings. or these heavy anathe-
81 mas against it would have received some quail
ificaon at the hand Of those who have so bit
teIly stigma,ized it. A move has been made III
the National Legislature, as well as in the Legls
latures Of some Of the Stntes where it exists +"
abolish this law, 10 which we have no objections;
but as we believe it admits Of defence, WE shall
undertake it, not for the sake OF the law itself,
but for the sake Of those who rnacrd il, sane
toned it, and continued it up to this time.
"Proprium studiun homimrm est homo,' j.
true maxim ofextrnsive aspiration, embracing
the philosophy of society, of government. an"
Of the great interests Of the human family in all
its possible conditions and varieties; aud impa't
ing lesson the most important that man can
learn. All who have learned it, in making HI,
fellow man thu subject Of his study, will admit
that man is and probably will continue to b.,
the same in all ages of the world. Srf>hness
avariee ambition desire Of honor. fame, disinc-
ton and rule, are the leading traits of his char
acter in every cline, in every nation. in every
period of time Of which history furnishes an &C.
count. 1t is never altered by any form Of gov
ernmcnt aud only modified Ivy the benign inllu-
ences of christianity; and this will probab, be-
the existing state of the world through the chain
of time down to that broken link where begins
the miIleniai epoch; when we are promised d
universal Moderation of our race.
The attainments in science and the conse-
quent advancement Of man in the arts, have
vastly improved his condition, and this will be
increased as they shall progress in correspond
ing relation. But all these blessings and advan.
tages have added to his enjoyment without chan
ging his principle. If it is contended that wars
the strongest evidence, perhaps, Of corrupt
humanity-are not so rife may it not be ascribrd
to the terror inspired by the grea, improvements
made in the implements of destruction, the very
invention Of which is proof Of depravtd aud
vicious nature? but what has the world pre-
sented to us Of late? Let the mind be turned to
France and Russia: The former under Napoleon,
against the latter and aganS, the world and
the latter against Poland Go little farther
back, to Great Britain against the United States
in the late cou1ct; were ever wars characterized
by more ambition, injustice and cruelty, in amy
prior age Of the world, than these were? Nor
excepting those conceived in Macedon aud
Rome. What does the world present TO us n,
this time? Look at the beIIi2erant operations
now going on in various counties cIaSsed among
the civilized nations Of the earth, and this, too,
in the face of all the light aud experience ofthe
past. Here France, civilized, refined, enlght.
ened France, comes into review, associated with
her enormity and injustice towards Mexico chal-
longing the good sense and policy Of the age,
and disregarding the LAYS aud usages OF nations.
"Might gives right" is maxim too often acted
upon by nations well as individuals; and is
applicable to France in this instance and we re-
greet to say that 1.-The government ofthe United
States in late transaction with Mexico, is not
exempt from similar charge for having al
placed her in the same category with France.
Look at South America, not only threatened
and attacked from without but tern to pieces
and distracted by ftuds and re,o't>, and deadly
conflicts within; receiving from abroad The re-
wards of her iniquti-S at home. Her measure
of punishment would b" ample, no doubt, if i,f,
alone to iuhict it with heI own hand. Look at
Spain at present, and for long time past, the
theatre of relentless and bloody war; prosrcn
ted by two factions con'rndng Tor power aud a
throne 70 secure which, either one would
butcher the other without mercy, perhaps With
pleasure. " hat account do they make Of h,-
man life? What Interest in the contest have
those who are sacrificed by thousands on the
affairs oftyranny TO establish arbitrary power and
to perpetnate misrule and oppression however
the contest may be- decided? What can they
build their hopes upon? What alternative have
they but to serve a monarch master in Don Car
los, or monarch mistress in Donna Maria, and
still be slay esa