Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-10-01
THE BANKRUPT BILL.

liberal, as being friends fpolitcal freedom
friends of the people, friends of humanity
and they have maintained that the Locofoco
party, with all their professions of democra-
cy, are enemies of liberty, and the people
inasmuch as they are under the guidance of
those who seek TO govern, only that they
may enjoy the power and emouments Of
office In evidence Of these positions, we
have been accustomed to refer to the ciush-
ing measures of Jackson and Van Buren,, on
the one hand their removal of the deposits,
und the consequent panics, bankruptcies, and
disasters; to the crudsadc against credit and
credit institutions, and the miseres that re-
suited from ii F.; to the experiments in curren-
'cy, which have broken the trade oft this vast
Country into fragments, and left it like a
wreck, amid the agitations of a raging surf /;
and finally to the Sub Treasury-an incubus
upon the bosom of the nations industry =
On the other hand, we have referred to the
prosperity that has attended measures adj
yocaled by the Whigs-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 new and srik-
Ing Illustration Of the claims above alluded to.
The Bankrupt bill, passed at the late extra
session Of Congress was Wing measure
introduced by Whigs-advocated by
Whigs-passed by Wing votcs--and signed
by Wing President, in the face Of the most
violent and unsparing opposition, on the part
OF the Loco Focos We wish our reado rs
to contemplate this single iact--and say, on
which side is liberaity--on which side is
mocracy.
The Locofoco leaders have erdcavorcd
10 make an issue between the rich and poor
pretending to make war on the first, that
they might gain favor with the last and yet
We have seen them adopt d system of finance
which was calculated to fa,tcn the rich and
grind the poor to double the profits of cap
'tal, 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 pc
ti,ions of tho poor debtors; We have seen
them, despite their democratic professions,
despite their cajolings of the poor--range
themselves on the side Of the capitalists, and
instead Of opening the prison door that the
inmates may go free, seek to turn the key,
and shove the bolt, as avaricc dictates.
Let us consider this matter little more
attentvey. 1t must no, be forgotten that
laws are not only All expression of the state
OF civilization, in the country where they
arc enacted, but are causes operating power
fully TO mould and fashion the manners and
feelings of the people. In this aspect, the
bankrupt act is of infinite importance. It's
an assurance to all the world that this coup
try is cmancipated from prejudice which
was cngendercd in the dark ages and that
man, even though he cannot pay his debts,
may still be 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 wears ago. if
man tailed, he was lost--tLcre was but ono
thing for him to do-to turn drunkard. All |
tins was uniust-it was the effect of prein-
ace prejudice sustained by the laws |
Wisdom has, by degrees, crop, in upon So
ciety; and by degrees it has reached the halls
of legislation. TO consummate this eman-
cipatlon OF the country, national bankrupt
act was needed. Now mark the fact-that
when this GROWING work is brought forward
IN the national councils, the Locofoco. and
the capitalist-tho Locoioco, and the unrc-
icntng creditor-the Loco foco, and the
grasping Shy!ock, combine to resist it!
Here, then, is our enemy caught in the
fact-he canno, deny it. Benton, the hard
money man-Buchanan, the half wages man
calhoun, the no credit man,-one and all
resisted this act of emancipation to the poor
The unfortunate, the distressed. A law was
brought forward, giving freedom of body to
the honest man who could not pay his debts
but these pretended democrats say no
let the chains of the creditor still remain
upon him-let Shylock take his pound o =
flesh.
We appeal now TO candor-to common
sense-who are the liberals, the friends
of freedom, Of humanity, of clyiliza-
ton, of sound policy l-lhe Wing. who
enacted the Bankrupt Law, or the Locofocos
who resisted it Let those who would es,i-
mate the force and meaning of the reply to
this question, remember that the act referred
TO, will give freedom TO hundreds of ,hou-
sands who have been Frustrated beneath the
wreck offormer fortunes that it will carry
light and joy to thousands Of Gresides. over