The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-30

cannot pay, and which all know they cannot pay,
winch takes away the power Of supporting them
selves. Other slaves have masters, charged with
the duty o. support and protection but their masters
neither clothe, feed shcieT--they only bind
But sir, the fault is not in the Constitution The
Constitution Is bene6cesa well wise in all lis
PROVISIONS ON this subject; bat the fault, must be
allowed 10 say, Is IN us, who have suffered ourselves
3uhe Too long 10 neglect the duty incumbent upon US
ne time viii come, sir when shall look back and
wonder al the long delay this just and saufary
sure Weshal feel, we now feel when reflect
nst progress ofopnon which has already done 50 much
Imam a"o ~ and connected subject mean the abo
uon OF imprisonment for debt What should we say
,nn day II i We're proposed TO recstablsh arrest
ana imprisonment Tor debt AZ existed in most Of the
3a.es, even so late as twenty years ago9 mean for
uep' a'oss 'o mere pure debt, without charge or sus
piclon OF fraud or faisehoodr
or, Il Is about that length Of time think since you
who now preside over our deliberations began here
your efforts for the abolition OF imprisonment Tor debt
and better work was never begun In the Caritol
Ever remembered and honored be that noble ef
fort You drew the attention of the public to the
question, whether, in civilized and Christian coun
try, debt incurred without fraud, and remaining un
paid without fault, Is crime, and crime fit to be
punished by denying 70 the offender the enjoyment of
the light of Heaven, and shutting him up within four
walls. our good sense, and that instinct of
right feeling which often outruns sagacy, carried you
at 10 result TO which others were more slowly
pfougH bui Ia Wulcn all nave ~ ltifktu
brought, by reason reflection, and argument Your
movement led the way-it became an example, and
has had powerful effect both sides Of the Atlantic
imprisonment for mere debt, arrest and hold
ing To bail for debt longer exists In England
and former laws the subject have been greatly
dified and mltigated, rs we all know, in our States-
" Abolition of imprisonment for debt" your own
words in the title Of your own bs have BECOME the
title of an act OF Parliament.
Sir am glad of an occasion 10 pay YOU tho rfpusc
my sincere respect for these your abors IN the
cause OF humanity and enlightened policy For
these abors thousands Of grateful hearts have thanked
you and other thousands OF hearts, not yet full Of joy
for the accomplishment Of their hopes full rather at
the present moment OF deep and distressing anxiety,
shave ~ iAc pleasure 10 know thai your advice, your
counsel and your lnfucsce, viii all be given IN esor
of what is intended for their relief ia the bill before Us
Mr. President, LET atone for the omission OF the
past by prompt and efficient discharge Of present
duty The demand for this measure is not partial or
local IL comes TO us, eane.i and loud, from all
classes and all quarters The time is come when we
must answer il your breasts Il we suffer longer
delay or postponAment High hopes, high duties and
high responsibilities concentrate themselves ON thus
| measure and this moment. With power to pass
bankrupt aw--thst power which no other legislature
in the country Possesses power of giving re
lief TO many doing injustice TO none again ask every
man who hears me, If he can content himself with
out an honest attempt to exercise that powerf We
may think would be better to have left that power
with the States, but it not left with the States
they have it not, and we cannot give il To them. u
is in our hands to be exercised by us or to be forever
useless and heless Under these circumstances, does
not every mans heart tell him him that he has duty
to discharged 1.-THE final vote shall be gwen this day.
and if thai shall still leave thousands Of our TEL
low citizens and their families in hopeless and helpless
DISTRESS everlasting subsection TO irrcdecmabc debt
can we 80 to our beds with satisfied consciences
Can we lay our heads upon our pillows, and, without
self reproach supplicate the Almighty Mercy 10 for
give w our debts also forgive our debtors
Sir let us meet the unanimous wishes Of the country
and proclaim relief TO the unfortunate throughout all
the land. What should hinder What should stay
our hands from this good work Creditors do moi
oppose it they apply for ~ debtors solicit IT with I'M
portunity earnesness and anxiety not 10 be descrlb
ed the Constitution cnoins IL and ali the consldera
tons of justice, policy and propncty which wrap
ped no in the phrase Public Duty, demand it, as
think and demand loudly and inperavey from our
hands Sir let us CRAFTY the whole country for once.
with the joyous clang Of chains joyous because heard
| falling from the limbs of men The wsest among
| those whom address desire nothing more bene-
fetal than this measure universally desired
and he who is youngest may not expect TO hive long
enough to better opportunity Of causing new
pleasures and happiness long untasted TO spring up
in the hearts OF the poor and the humble. How many
husbands and fathers looking with hopes which
they cannot SUPPRESS and yet hardly dare To cherish
for the result OF this debate How many wives and
mothers will pass slcepess and feveIsh nights until
they know whether they and their families shall be
raised poverty, dependency and despair, and re-
stored again the circles Of industrious independent,
and happy life
SIR let it be TO the honor Of Congress- that in these
days Of political strife and controversy, we have laid
aside for once the sin that easily bcsets u.s. and
with unanimity of counsel and with singleness OF
heart and of purpose have accomplished for coun
try one measure Of UNREASONABLE good