The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-25
BANKRUPT BILL.
Views Of MIR. Van Buren and Gen. Harrison o
this subject contrasted.

Views OF MIR. Van Buren, and Gen. Harrison on
this subject contrasted.
Nothing more clearly shows the recklessness
oi this Administration, than the course Of ,,s
friends in relation 10 The BANKRupr Bill. Hav-
ing by IT'S destructive measures brought down
the country from lis towering prosperity 10 the
most abject poyefty-haying ruined thousands
and thousands Of the most enterprising citizens
by the reduction Of the value OF property, and
thereby deprived them Of the means Of fulfilling
their engagements, il now refuses 10 exercise
constitutional power in relieving them from the
embarrassments which il has brought upon
them.
The action OF the friends Of the Administra-
lion in Congress, on this subject, has been con
rolled By Mr.. VAN BuREN Ii is the effect OF
the most AFFECT submission to Executive dlcta-
ZION. When the subject of Bankrupt law was
first broached in the Senate, many a man de-
clared himself III its favor, who afterwards
went against il. His first impulses were the
unbiased dictates Of his heart. His final ac
ton was the forced dictation OF the Executive
will
MIR. WRIGHT was the supple tool through
whom Mr. VAN BuREN wrought this wondrous
change IN the action Of members. lie spoke
against the bill IN all lis stages-he used every
exertion 10 clog it with provisions, which would
render il useless 10 those for whose benefit II
was lnfended-and after he could put more
riders upon H. he got Others TO vote against II,
Wilde he, hypocritically, cast his vote IN rs
favor.
Those Of our citizens who are looking 10 tins
great measure Of relief may not understand the
reason Of the hostility Of Mr.. Van buren, 10 il.
In the first place he has no sympathies IN
| common with the great mass Of the community
He purely selfish in all his actions, both perso-
nal and political He cares nothing for the bust
ness Of the county, il he can but promote has
own interests, In the midst oil this reduction Of
wages and theyalue OF properly which has been
produced By his financial policy, and which has
ruined both the employer and the employed, he
is content TO receive has salary Of TWENTY-FIVE
THOUSAND DOLLARS, which IS appreciated in va
lue, as every thing else Is deprecated. In the
manner in which he lives he is enabled 10 lay
up from this salary more than FIFTEEN THOUSAND
DOLLARS year; and one principal and leading
motive with him for reelection Is, that he may
pocket the money for four years longer
But there i another motive for his hostility to
this great measure Of relief. When this subject
was before the Senate in lsz7, Mr.. Van BeRES
and General HARRISON were both members Of
that body. Mr.. Vas BUREN opposed, as uncon-
gtuufiondI. the provision OF the bill relating TO
Z nj nHsd tEaf a
Bankrupt law must be confined TO - merchants
and traders" By has construction OF the pow
ers OF Congress under the Constitution, he ex-
Guided from the benefit Of Bankrupt law, all
who were not technically "merchants and
7 traders and all Of that numerous class known
/ both IN the English law, as well as in this cOun-
4 try a. voluntary bankupis-a class, for whose
especial relief every Bankrupt law IS intended 70
operate on q surrender Of all their property Tor
the benefit 81 their creditors,
On the other hand General HARRisoS ably
contended Tor the clause in relation TO rotln-
fary banknps. as both constitutional and ex-
IedieBt Nothing more clearly illustrates the
characters u these individuals, than their
spectiYe opinions on the subject Of rofHHf0ry
bankrBpts Mr.. Van Buren's are narrow, con
tracfeJ. and lnhuman Gene~aI Hauls0ns are
expanded. liberal and kind
M y.s BuFGa having taken ths ground that
bhl fo5 roiuatory bsnkfBpts was D,icoasfitn-
hDn0f and stiil entertaining The 'ame opinion,
be Wa unwilling ibsi any such b,l shoDldpsFs
Congfess. because BE- would be obliged ~ yrro
II On account N rs unco0sfddiopoity The
ssio power h. was reluctant 10 eEsc,sr % tl,,s
subject, pending ibe Presidential election lie,
iberefo4e. gaYe ofdsfs ~ Jr Wsjent - defeat
The bsil Those otdefs we're implicitly pbfyed
and The cr,Haing vss,sls ~ he Fsecnt'ye wrre
soon made u surrender their first gfnrIODa IN
pOl.es n favor ~ he measufe, and fDbnni ~
The dicistIon ri The E1eenflye ~ f"l"ye hun
from the enhancement u . rStD
ffMr yAs BrsEs should here -eiecisd ,ofwhicb,
hank Heaven, We believe there y 90 danger.
Tia. great aid suffering class u The community
can expect ~ reilef ~ bis hands. IL stands
pdedged BY has past web a bis present OPP
mons, 10 vrTo any such measure o. DRcoHstifp-
figR0t
He i alfred Rnh Mr. ctLHors - defeat IT.
Mr ysaDsEroIL and Mr.. PIcsrs-, The worthy
representatives d Tbs unboiy alliance, were The
wiling instruments selected BY them y defeat
hiii ID the House.