The Madisonian., 1840-01-14

OF Gen. Harrison. They have a natural
sympathy for that meritorious class of gentry
who make free with the cash OF The people,
as " recent events" have proved.
| II We have not satisfactorily answered The
charges of these federal newspapers, we beg
leave TO level at them the Herculean club OF
the Hero himself, who puts his enemies on
this subject to as triumphant and complete a
rout as the British and federal red-coats and
Indians ever experienced before his conquer
ing sword.
| We subjon his two letters on this subject:
Correspondence ciA Mr. fleasants.
RICHMOND, Sept. Is, 1896.
Dear Sir; Your political opponents in the State
OF maryland have, for some time, been actively
| urging against you a new charge-that Of selling
wAte men, which probably had no nconsiderable ef-
eci IN the recent elections in that State, and which
IS evidently much relied upon to influence the APP
proaehing elections throughouthe United States.
enclose you paper (the Baltimore Republican, con-
tanning the charge in full, and beg of you as an
act OF justice 10 yourself and your friends, 10 enable
me 70 reiute charge against the uniform tenor Of
your life, which am well aware, has been repe,e
win instances Of distinguished private berality and
public sacrifice
With the highest respect, have the honor to be,
your felow-citizen,
JOHN II. PLEAsANTs.
GES VIM II. HARRIsoN.
RICHMOND Sept. Is, 1886.
Dear Sir acknowledge the receipt of your favor
OF this date. have before heard Of the accusation
to which il refers. On my way hher l met yester-
day with young gentleman Of Maryland, who in
formed me that a vote OF mine in the Senate Of Ohio
had been published in favor of law 10 sell persons
imprisoned under judgment for debt, for term of
years, II unable otherwise 10 discharge the execu-
ton did not, for a moment, hesitate to declare
that had never given any such vote and that If a
pote Of TINT description had been published and as
cribed TO me, ~ tcas an INFAMOUS FORGERY. Such
| act would have been Iepugnant to my feelings, and
in direct conflict with my opinions, public and pri-
vae, through the VIII lie course of my life No such
proposition was ever submitted 10 The Legislature
| Of Oho-nonc such would for moment, have been
enerained-nor would any of hers dared 10 pro-
pose it,
So far from being willing 10 sell men for debts
which they are unable 10 discharge, | am, and ever
have been, opposed to all imprisonment for debt
Fortunately, have II in my power 10 show ihatsuch
has been my established opinion; and that, in pub
lie capacity, avowed and acted upon it. Willlhosc
who have preferred the unfounded and malicious
accusation efer TO the journals Of the Senate Of the
United Sta es 2i session l9,h Congress, page 325
Il will there be that was Of the Committee
which reported a bill 10 abolish Imprisonment for
debt. When the bill was before the Senate, advo-
Gated lis adoption, and its passage, voted in its
favor. See Senate Journal LIST session. Goth C,/-
gress pages l0l and l02.
1t is not little remarkable that if the effort am
accused OF having made 10 subject men TO sale for
the nonpaymen of their debts had been successful
| might, from the state of my pecunary circum-
stances al the time, have been the first victim. re-
peat the 0harge is vile calumny-At no period of
my life would have consented 10 subject the poor
and unfortunate TO such degradation; nor have
omitted 10 exert myself in their behalf against such
| an attempt TO oppress them.
II is sought to support the charge by Of gar
bled extracts ftomthe journals Of the Senate Of Ohio
| The section of the bill which is employed for that
| purpose had of reference TO The relation
| of creditor and debtor, and could not by possibility
subject the debtor 10 the control of scredor None
know better than the authors Of The calnmny that The
alleged section is utterly al variance with the charge
which is attempted TO be founded upon it, and that,
so far from proposition TO invest creditor with
power over the liberty of his debtor, il had respect
only TO the mode of disposiDg Of public offenders,
who had been found guilty by jury OF their fellow
citizens of some crime against the laws of their
State That was exclusively the import and design
Of the section of the bill upon The motion 10 strike
| out which, voted in The negative So you perceive
that in place OF voting to enlarge the power of credi
tors, the vote which ! gave concerned alone the
treatment OF male letactors con viced OF crimes against
the Pubic.
1t would extend this letter 10 an nconvenicnt
length to 20 fully into the reasons which led me al
the time 10 opinion in favor Of the proposed treat
within lis operations nor is such an expose called
for. The measure was by no means novelty in
other parts OF The country. IN The Sotc 81 Delaoare
tte is an act noac in torce IN similar Tords r, The
section Of the bill 6efore the Ohio Senate, ,cAich has
been made of late e pretcrt Of sueh iaridnous
tire. Laws with somewhat similir provisions may
probably be found in many other Of the States. In
practice the measure would have ameliorated the
condition OF those who were under condemnation
As the law stood, they were liable under The SEN
tence TO confinement in the common Jail, where Of
tenders OF various degrees of prohigacy-of different
ages, and color, were crowded together. Under
such circumstances, il is obvious that the bad must
become worse, whilst reformation could hardly be
expected in respect to any. The youthful offender,
it might be hoped would be reclaimed under The
operation Of the proposed system but there was great
reason 10 fear his sill greater corruption amid the
contagion of a common receptacle OF vice Besides,
the proposed amendments OF the law prc-supposed
that the delinquent was in confinement for the non
payment of fine and costs OF prosecution The
payment of which was part of the sentence !; il
seemed, therefore, humane, in respect 10 the ohed-
err 10 relieve him from confne ment which deprived
him of the means Of disc hargng the penalty and 10
place him in situation in which he might work out
his deverance, even at the loss Tor lime OF his
personal liberty.
But for5ear to go further into the reasons which
led me- sixteen years ago, as a member of the Ohio
Senate 10 entertain favorable opinion OF an ateTa-
tion which was proposed in The criminal police ithe
State. 1t is certain that neither in respect TO myself
Or those who concurrrd with me, the opinion at
the time considered the result of untrendly bias
towards the poor or unfortunate. Nay the last oh
iect which could have anticipated even from the
eager and restless desire 10 assa me- was charge Of
uniriendlness to the humble and poor OF the com
muny.
am, my dear sir, with great respect, your humble
servant,
w. ii. HARRISON.
J. IL Peasants Esq
LETTER TO CINCINNATI EprroR, 1921,
Sir In your paper Of the 18th inst. | observed
most violent attack upon eleven other members Of the
late Senate and myself fora supposed rore given at the