Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-01-21
QS3arl5natpuD
FRIDAY MORNING JANUARY 2l;ls42.
THE BANKRUPT LAW.

We regret to be Obliged to inform our
readers that this great and philanthropic
measure of reform and relief which was
adopted by Wing Congress in July is in
the utmost danger Of being 'repudla,cd and
repealed, by the same body of men, in Jam
uary. AMI we may as well add now, as at
any other time, that we also regret to per-
cievc that the Hon. Augustus Young, the
Representative from this Congressional Dis
trict, has seen fit to change his vote on this
subject, without assigning, either to the
House of which he isa member or to the
People who elected him, the sightes, reason
for such an extraordinary proceeding. We
are not, at present, disposed to ccnsure Mr..
Young for changing his vote on this measure,
for we belve lh,t every man not only pos
scsses the right, but is in duty bound, to
change his opinion whenever he perceives
he is in error. AT the same time we feel
constrained to say to Mr.. Y. that his constit-
ucnts will not be at all satisfied with his
course without good and sufficient reason
for the change. We know that Mr.. SEN
ator Prentss and one or two other gentle
men of our own State, whose opinions have
great weight with us always, are opposed
to the policy of the law. But nasmuch as
it has been tavorilc of the Wing party for
the last three years, Inasmuch as snch men
as Ex- President Adams aud Mr.. Clay, and
Mr.. Webster, and Governor Davis of Mas
sachusctts and John Sergeant of Pennsylva-
mia, and Nj. BerrIen OF Georgia, have given
i, their cheerful and cordial support-inas-
much as it was adopted by an almost unan-
nous vote of the Wing members of boil
branches of Congress at its late extra scs.
sion--and inasmuch as it received the uni
ted appreciation ofthe late cabinet Of Gen.
, eral Harrison and is said to be favored will
equal unanmity by President Tyler's Cab
met, we think very modest man, when h,
finds himself in such company as this, may
I, be excused from differing even " th Mr.. Sen
a,or Prentiss boil, in regard to the consi
t nationality and expcdicncy of the Law. n,
man, we presume, will venture to deny tina
Congress possesses the powert to pass gen
It eral Bankrupt Law-for that power is ex
prcssy conferred in broad letters on the fac
. of the constitution. But il is conlcnde
f that this power was designed TO be Limited
in its exercise, to particular classes of ira
ders and that, in its operation, il should
,e expressly restricted to those particular ca
lie ses. But we are unable to perceive til
lie force or Justice of this distinction. 1t Ger
10 tainly is not 50 limited by tho letter Of tn
ii Constitution and we can see no reason VIII
70 the privilege of Bankruptcy should be e.
e. tended to the unfortunate merchant but d.
e. MED to unfortunate citizens Of other occ
,g pations. Bankruptcy was not thus limie
y in its privileges, by the civil Law and
~ statute of Elizabeth it will be found to
9, virtually extended 10 all who make profit
he buying or selling. But we do not propo
al at present to discuss, in extenso, either Il
e' constitutional,y or expediency of the La'
ch We will say, however, that, in our opini'
m the interests of the Countrywide interests
in debtors and creditors aike-and the vol
he of humanity itself, demand that this Ia
all should be conlnued-and under this CO
of vi,,ion we feel constrained TO raise our fe
ia BILE voice against its repeal. We, of cours
n have not the vanity to suppose we can inf
riff encea solitary vote of our delegation in Co
"a gress. We may, however, reach the ear
n one of its members to whose election '
lot contributed our best exer,ions and 10 who
he humble though We are, we shall take the Ii
" er,y to offer our advice. We would poi
,s him to the fact that the passage OF this La
he was hailed with satisfaction and Joy, by Z
he great wing party of,he country, because tn
10 believed il would carry relief and consolati'
ID TO thousands Of families who, without any ia,
vi oftheir., had been bowed down, in power