The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-01-26
CONaREs

not strictly o party measure for leading Whig'
voted against and prominent Locofocoa votes
for il. the latter have seized upon il 10 assai
the Wings with the most vehement denuncia-
ton There are some exceptions among the
LOccfocos, who have the generosity to pursue
. course, which humanity and the interests O
the country point out rather than follow the ex.
ample Of their party in repeating beneficial
measure for the purpose Of injuring their op-
ponents.
In late discussion, which arose on the re-
peal ofthe Bankrupt act in the House of Rep
resentatives. MIR. Dawson Of Louisiana, made
the following excellent and liberal remarks on
the subject. These humane and generous
sentiments are entitled to the more respect as
coming from Democrat in opposition to the
views expressed by the majority of this party.
Mr.. Dawson rose, and addressed the
House in opposition to the repeal Of
the law. He said | do not intend to
make a speech on this occasion, but
simply to offer few brief remarks in
my own justification. here and at home.
/ am aware that, if could speak with
The voice and wisdom Of an angel of
light, ] could not arrest the fate Of this
bill. It is virtually res judicata--soon
TO be Gas thing that was not" Pol
iticlans have already taken sides for
and against it /; and the appeals ofrea-
son and of justice are now alike una
vailing.
| have not heard a solitary complaint
from one Of my constituents for my
vote in favor of this bill. On the con-
trary, have received many warm and
grateful acknowledgements in appro-
baton of my course. I have in my
drawer long list of the most respec-
table names in Louisiana, urging me
to oppose the repeal of the bankrupt
law. No man in this House would
rejoice more than I would to see this
bill amended !; but | will hold on to it
as 1t as, sooner than see it repealed. |
am opposed to the oppression of the
debtor, in every shape, form and man
ner. Debt is a misfortune and Bit
ter is the cup Of life (Heaven knows)
TO the unfortunate debtor, at best, with
out being treated as a criminal. [ am
willing TO see the debtor forced to
make an honest. full, and unqualified
surrender of all he has: and then
would palsy the arm of the Shylock /
who would attempt to take his pound {
OF flesh. This is the poor mans law; :
he'd it stands SOLITARY and aIone," as {
tan poor mans law,i he'history of the i
world. am the open and avowed ad. =
vocate of bankrupt law to benefit r
debtors, and not law to benefit cred E
itors exclusively. | would not make a
retrospective law, to favor or shield /
the debtor; but | would place him h
henceforth beyond the reach of per- a
'onal cruelty and degradation. His \
property might be seized and sold
the roof that shelters his wife and chill o
dren from the peltings of the pitiless v
storm might be taken from him, and d
they might be turned over to penury ii
and want. But his person, at least,
should be sacred. The creditor should "
not touch hair of his head after he n
bad made fair and honest surrender Il
Of everything he was worth on the face ii
of the earth.
"Man's inhumanity to man il
Makes countless millions mourn;'' h
and wise legislation will always 'sde- rs
lend and protect" the weak, the help p
less, the unfortunate, and oppressed. I'll
The fate of the bankrupt law is aIrea- G
dy foretold. | entertain no doubts of al
is being repealed in afew days. 1t is N
he first law that ever was past and I al
greatly fear il will be the last-to favor e,
he poor and the unfortunate. 1t is al
die to resist the power of money to A
IS secret, subtle, and pervadipg inAu- m
'nces, Imagination can devise, and ol
strength can accomplish no bar. It m
will buy the prayers Of the church, the h;
idelity of man; and the love of woman. ty
I is the alpha and omega of all human W
lesires. Reason and justice are impo- ed
ent when opposed TO the magic power OF
4 gold. H
"Plate sin with gold, o.
md tha strArs l~-r- Fg~ssses auutIess breaks re
;Iothe i in rags a Rjgmy's straw doth pierce he
f4.. e lit" bu
Jne OVertnfOW1uS CapltaNStS OF sf1cn en-
,reditor, has more influence over the an
National Legislature Of this country be
ban Ave thousand unfortunate and du
lersecUted debtors. att
Repeal this law, and how inconsis- it
cot and reprehensible the majority oil tw
bis House must appear in the sssober ed
econd thought u and. dispassionate EpaI
Of a free and intelligent 10
ommunity Tney have forced good me
W, 70 bad shape, npon the nation ; ira
nd now that the hour of amendment Is 1.-The
most at hand II mean the meeting ofIthe
. ssth Congress they are about TO wa.
last forever lhe last hope Of the bro tha
IN hearted and Responding debtors wa
foughouf our vast domain. They noa
9 now eager and impatient to DESTROY. der