The Democratic Whig., 1843-05-18


Corded iias a paramount duty 70 re-
lieve The 6siFssses from every burden
as Ger IS possible, and especially to
break that yoke b. which none can be
benefited, and 20 so0the, rather than
break, the heart already rent with the
anguish OF misfortune.
II Is repngnant to every principle
Of Justice TO regard bankruptcy as a
presumption of guilt. In the AUciu-
alton Of trade the most honorable men
are often its victims ; and 70 hold the
persons Of the debtor subjeci to his
creditor, and 10 put bis iuiurs liberty
or acquisitions beyond his own control
when he has surrendered ell, is 10 in
flict punishment where there isno crime
nor criminal tribunal 10 investigate a
crime, or 10 prescribe punishment.
( Credit in trade Is based upon conf
dence in the success Of him who OBJ
tlins it, and ought not in ans degree 10
depend upon contingent right which
the creditor may claim on The liberg
or the future independence Of the deb
tor. If be chance 10 be unsuccessful,
all that they can claim Is a JaitkfRl
surreHder Of his remaining Effects.
Let him give these and begin tse IrOrld
again. What is The eject Of subject
ing his future acquisitions 10 thc sea-
cure Of his creditors ? II Is 10 aias
iA him the sPirit Of enterprise and 70
bind him and has lamily doIOn TO
perpetual POverty, lOithOm he reno
test prospects Of benefit 70 Ais crsdi-
iOrs or 10 society. A punishment
like this, without the conviction Of,
guilt, is 100 revolving to my feelings to
give il a sanction and il never ought
+ TO exist in free or civilized country.
It is said that dishonest persons will
sometimes avail themselves ofthe ben.
eft OF bankrupt law. So unfaithful
J men may sometimes be elected to leg
lslatlve bodies, and crimes may some
= times be perpetrated under the cloak
Of religion. But / would non refuse
relief to the unfortunate, nor destroy
legislative bodies, nor desire 10 abolish
4 Christian churches, on account ofa-
buses TO which they are subject for
b the same principle is equally applica'
bic 10 all.
b This power IN the Constitution is
e joined with that Of naturalization, and
J. with the same benevolent object. Up
g on that Standardization, Congress has
acted, and, 10 doing so, has provided
\ for the oppressed OF all nations, in this
land Of refuge, the blessings Of liber-
e " and safety, the protection Of our
: laws ;and it was justly expe ted that A.
bankrupt taw ieoaki also Be passed.
J extending protection from oppression
10 the unfortunate Of our own citizens
: and to those Of all other nations Eho
e may choose to come and reside
among Us. This ] wish to see done.
Ny opinion. IS that Il ,OiH rebound 10
i the honor Of our country. Il will re-
S ieve the bankrupt, and by leaving him
unsaackled in his enterprise, be will OF.
ten accumulate the means both ofpro-
viding fer himself and Of liquidation Of
bis debts, which honest men frequen-
dy do under the influence Of moral
obligations.
The interest Of the debtor, the in.
terest Of society and the glory Of our
country all conspire To sanction the
, measure. The object Of Government
ought always 10 be the mitigation Of
/ human misery, and the advancement
| Of human happiness, as far as possible.
, II | can light up the smile Of gladness
even in one solitary bosom, where the
tear OF sorrow was flowing, enjoy in
the act gratifcatiOn which my feeble
language cannot describe. With these
sentiments have ever been the advo-
! cate for relief 10 the war-worn soldier
andto the widows and orphans OF those
who suffered or perished 10 their coun-
/. try's defence and with the views
which / have expressed upon this sub
ject, have exerted all my feeble pow
ers in favor OF the abolition Of impris-
onmeut for debt. When / am salis6-.
ed that the object Of a constitutional
measure is good | can never abandon
it on account OF difficulties which pre-
, sent themselves in making il perfect
in al its details. Similar difficulties
! may be urged with equal plausibility
against free government; against unl-
versal suffrage; against popular slee-
lions and indeed against all our insti-
! lutioAs. II is not good to be imprac-
ticable. No man ought 10 put himself
up as a standard to which al must
, come, however great he will be disap-
pointed in the end, and perhaps his
useit lness in some measure lost.
We should provide a uniform system
Of bankruptcy upon as liberal princi-
Piles as justice will warrant-and as
experience shall show its imperfec-
tons, I'VE should give it such consider
- II i L r 4