Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-11-20
THE BANKRUPT RIII-

hllas presents contrast between the WHY
and locofoco parties, that is at once strik-
ing and true to the letter.
The wings have claimed that they are
the liberal party in these United States
liberal, as being friends of political free
doni--friends of the people, friends of hu-
mainly; and they have maintained that the
locofoco party, with all their professions of
democracy, are enemies of liberty, and the
pcople--inasmuch as they are under the
guidance of those who seek to govern, only
that they may enjoy the power and cmolu-
ments of office In evidence of these po-
sitions, we have been accustomed to refer
to the crushing measures of Jackson and
Van Buren,, on the one hand; their removal
OF the deposi,es, and the consequent panics,
bankruptcies, and disasters; to the crusade
against credit and credit institutions, and
the miseries that resulted from il; to the
experiments in currency which has broken
the trade of this vast country into Frag-
ments, and left it like n wreck, amid the agi-
tations of raging surf, and finally to the
sub-treasury-an incubus upon the bosom
of the nations industry On the other
hand, we have referred 10 the prosperity
that has attended measures advocated by
the whgs--and demonstrated as well by
history as argument, that wing principles
arc those only that can rebound to the
real happiness of the nation.
We now ask attention to a new and strik-
ing Illustration Of the claims above allu ded
TO. The bankrupt bill, passed at the late
extra session of Congress, was wing
mcasure--introduced by whigs--advocat-
cd by whigs--passed by wing vo!es-and
signed by wing President, in the face
of the most violent and unsparing opposi-
ton, on the part of the locofocos!
We wish our readers to contemplate
This single fact--and say, on which side is
lberty--oa which side is love of freedom,
on which side is the democracy.
The locoloco leaders have endeovored
TO make an issue between the rich and
the poor--pretcnding to make war on the
first, that they might gain favor with the
last; and yet we have seen them adopt a
system of finance. which was calculated
to fatten the rich and grind the poor; to
double the profits Of capital, and reduce
wages to shilling a day. And in precise
harmony with this, we have seen them, in
the late session. taking part with the rich
creditors. and resisting the petitions Of the
poor debtors; we have seen them, despite
their democratic pretensions. despite their
cajolings Of the poor--range themselves
on the side of the capitalist, and instead
of opening the prison door that the in
mates may go free, seek to turn the key
and shove the bolt, as avarice dictates.
Let US consider this matter little more
attentiyely. 1t must not be forgotten that
laws are not only an, expression Of the
state Of civilization, in the country where
. they are enacted, but are causes operating
powerfully to mould and fashion the man
ncrs and feelings of the people. In thi:
aspect, the bankrupt act is of infinite i'm
portance. 1t is an assurance to all the
world that this country is emanciPated
from a prejudice which was cngendered
in the dark ages; and that man, even
though he cannot pay his debts, may still
he d man. There is no tyranny on earth
more cruel than that which sometimes lies
in opinion; and the dungeon to which the
creditor assigned the debtor. was even less
destructive than the worlds sheer at the
bankrupt. Some forty years ago, if man
failed, he was lost--there was but one
thing for him to do-to turn drunkard. All
this was uniust--it was the effect of pre-
judice: prejudice sustained by the laws.
Wisdom, has by degrees, crept in upon
society; and by degrees it has reached the
halls of legislation. TO consummaie this
emancipation Of the country. a national
bankrupt act was needed. Now mark the
fact--that when this browning work is
brought forward in the national councils
the iocoGoco, and the cap;taIist--the loco
foco, and the unrelenting creditor, the
locofoco. and the grasping Shylock, com
binc to resist il
Here, then, is our enemy caught in The
fact; he cannot deny it. Benton, the hare
money man; Buchanan, the half wage
man; Calhoun. the no credit man; one anc
all resisted this act of emancipation to tht
poor, the unfortunate, the distressed. A
law was brought forward, giving freedom
of body TO the honest man who could moi
pay his debts; but these pretended demo
Gratis say no; let the chains of the creditor
still remain upon him; let Shylock tax,
his pound of flesh.
We appeal now to candor; TO common
sense; who are the liberals, the friends OF
freedom. of humanity. of civilization, Of
sound policy?--the wings who enacted the
bankrupt law, or the locoiOcos who re.
sisted IL Let those who would estimate
the force and meaning of the reply to thi:
question, remember that the act referred
to, will give freedom to hundreds of thou
sands who have been Frustrated beneatI
the wreck of former fortunes; that it vii
carry light and joy to thousands Of fire