Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1841-09-07
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBr.

Among the subjects deserving he prompt and ear
mes; attention OF the ensuing Legislature humanity
places IN the first class the adjustment 81 Imprls-
onmcaf FIR DttL Year after year il has been urged
upon tie attention of successive legislatures. and as
often treated with silent neglect, defeated IN one
House or the other. until other States have taken
the march UPON Us and bio,ted the od.ous stat
ute leaving INDIANA almost alone II the enjoyment
% tins relic of barbarism. II time that the pr.n-
cpe implied by THIS iaw, that debt is crime, puu-
shable behind the bolts and bars Of prison, should
be repudiated and that gu.t alone should constitute
sufficient offence to deprive freeman Of his liber-
ty. Time was when the fires Of the lGqusitlon were
lighted by the pretended apostles OF tfol with the
approbatIon of the worid-Wacn thumb screws and
the rack were applied 90 obtain tie knowledge of
hidden RECOMMENDATION the fiery ordeal settled the
gull, of a prisoner where other proof was wanting
bat such things have passed away, condemned aliae
by the just, the aud the humane, and with them
should pass THIS other torture fall odious and not
less inAuman and oppressive
The world is becoming heightened as It grows
older men are learning 10 appreciate their rights,
and acquiring The courage and the means 10 mann
tam them. Among those ghts we hold TO be ina
lenabie the right a. every man whose hands are
untaIutcd with crime, - walk erect, man among
h.s fellow men breathing the free air of heaven, ond
pursuing his own happiness IN every just.hahie
method without the fear Of chains, shackles, or a
prison. lis body his own, and 40 Legislative or
Judicial power JAMS right 10 impose q len upon IL
tor the pccunary bcne6t of creditor. /, j. useless
II say that the law Is not used means OF OPP
preston, for the contrary almost daily the fact.
.. Mas .uiumauity TO man
Makes countless thousands mourn
Day after day witnesses some hard-iis,ed creditor
dragging the man he has decoyed INTO Ais meshes
to prison, lttie caring how much distress he en-
tails upon the helpless 81. tc aud children who are
thrown upon the cold charities Of tie world, or how
deep the disgrace that attaches tothe victim OF mis-
fortune. how painiul.y he may fee thc stlugs ol
wounded pride. Even under our laws mild a. ma
ny suppose them 20 be. the most honest aud uprig
man may be imprisoned, on bare suspicion oi
debt, for SIX months and CA such evidence rs
would not subject Il criminal 10 one hours conine-
ment.
should these be sol Shall we keep pace with
the march OF humanity and reason. anc 81 ape out this
accurscd statuc-or shall We be ouislrlpped bY our
contemporaries, and become the ghug stock OF the
world Ne have taken one step IN tAis march OF
reiOrm-Men cannot HOW be whipped or sold tor
debt when Indiana a Territory. bat we have
arrived only at the halfway house. Nothing should
satisfy the friends Of humanity bat an uncomdiiiona
and absolute repeal Oi the law. W lpe II out now
and forever, and palsy the hand that would ever re-
place 1t. Every principle OF jastice and humanity
and even our own interests require IT, In other
States, where the principle OF nou-imprisonmeu,
prevails. debts collected with more facility than
here-inerchdNts are more cautious ~ giving credit
the people more wary IN asking 1t. Men. Who have
nothing but their bodies 10 offer in payment earn
their money before they use 1t AMI The experience
Of years confirms all parties IN the Justice ant
wisdom OF the adjustment Of Imprisonment ioi
Debt.
The assembling Of Democratic Legislature vii
be fit occasion Tor the representatives not OF ia,
aristocracy alone. but Of the whole People, repea
the lawto gam for themselves the prayers and ID,
blessing OF the poor and the unfortunate and uam,
IN all future IN the annals of humanity Gosh
ei Democrat.