The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-19


s liz seizure 81 his oIsdisofs4 IT'S to ssife IA
hlm all spirit s. enterprise, and 70 bind him and
his family down % perpetual poverty, without The
femotcst prospect of benefit % his crediiors OF e
society, a punishment ike CHS, without the con.
4ctl0n Of guilt il too revolving ID my feelings to
give i my sanction; and i never ought g exist
Is free or civilized country e Is said that die
honest persons will sometimes avail lhemsolves d
tho beno6s 81 tho bankrupt law So unlaithlul
laen may sometimes be elected 70 Legislative DO.
a1es, and crimes may sometimes Be perpetrated
under the cloak Of religion. But would not e.
fuse relief q tho unfortunate, nor destroy legisa-
tive bodies, nor strive e abolish Christian ehur.
ches, on account Of abnsesto which they are al
subiect for the same principle j. equally applicn'
Bio 10 oil
This power IN The Constitution Is joined with
that Of naturalization, and with the same beneYo-
Ientobiect Upon that Of naturalization, Cong
has ed, and. ia doing So, has provided for the
distressed of oil nations ii this land Of refuges the
blessings Of liberty and safety, the pTosection q
our laws; and il was Justly expected that banks
Enpt law would also be passed, extending protec-
ton from oppression 70 the unfortunate Of our own
citizens, and 20 those Of all other nations who
might choose % come nndreside among US 1hIs
wish 70 see done. Ny opinion "a that 4 vii re-
dound ID the honor and dignity ofthc country, -
will reliye the bankrupt, and, BY leaving him un-
shac lied IN his enterprises he will often aceumu-
late the means both Of providing Tor himself and
OF MS 5N6pkS9 WHICH tA1-
qnently do under the influence Of moral obliga-
lions.
Tie interest 81 the debtor, The interest Of the
CREDITOR the interest Of society, and the glory Of
our country, allconspire TO sanction the measure.
The object Of Government ought always g pc me
mitigation Of human misery, and the advancement
of human happiness, az CIR Is possible. Is can
light up the smile Of gadness, even IN one sollta-
~ bosom, where the tear Of sorrow was flowing,
enjoy IN the act qualification which my feeble
language cannot describe. With these sentiments
have ever been tho advocate for relieftc the war
worn soldier, and to the widows and orphans Of
those who suffered Or persisted in their country's
defence and with the views which have ex-
pressed upon this subject have exerted all my
feeble powers in favor Of the abolition Of impEis-
onment for debt. When ] am satisfied that the
object Of constitutional measure IS good, can
never abandon it on account of difficulties which
pTesen. themselves in making It perfect in all its
details. Similar difficulties may be urged with
equal pausibility against free governments against
universal suffrage; against popular elections; and
indeed against all Of our institutions. il Is not
good 10 be impmcticable. No man ought to put
himself up as standard to which oil must come |;
however great he may be, he will be disappointed
ia the end, and perhaps his usefulness in some
measuTe lost. We should provide uniform sys-
tenn of bankruptcy upon q liberal principles as
justice will warrant and as experience shall show
its impeEfections we should give It such consider
alton and amendment as viii be found equitable
should expect its provisions 70 be extended to all
classes Of every profession, involuntary mer-
chants, and voluntary as 70 others.
The law should embrace oil cases existing at
the passage Of the law, as we'll as all which may
happen in future. Such are my views upon this
subject. do not set up myself as standard for
others; organized as am, could not act other
wise without violation of conscience and the OBJ
legations Of solemn duty. For ! have no doubtthat
il the system should be established, it's beneficial
effects would be felt in every part Of our country,
and especially throughout our whole trading COM
munity. IL il system which Ibelieve prevails
ii every commercial country in Europe, and in
every civilized nation on the globe. Indeed, from
the earliest antiquity, the Jews, though an agri-
cultural nation, had their septennial years of re-
lease, and their general iubiees Il is the same
measure in different form; the same great con-
seryatiYe principle for the same great object. IN
this country all power is based on the will Of the
people. We have no legal or constitutional clas-
ses; but the rich and the poor, the fortunate and
the unfortunate, are all equal. There is perpet-
ual revolution Of property; the poor becoming
/ ch and the rich becoming poor; and tosuffer any
impediments 10 enterprise, is to inter-
rupt the prosperity the nation. Il, then, the re-
lief which bankrupt law gives, extending oil its
provisions to all who desire il. Is proper tor any
ether country, il il much more due to this great
Republic.
Most respectfully,
Your fellow-citizen,