The Democratic Whig., 1843-01-26
CONGRESS-


moi strictly party measure, for leading Whigl
voted against and prominent LoeofOcOs vOtet
ior i, The latter have seized upon i to assai
the Wings with the most vehement denuncia'
ton There arc some exceptions among sh'
LOcofoeos, who have tho generosity to Pursus
a course, which humanity ane the interests o
the country point out rather than follow The ex
ample Of their party IN repeating bsnefeia
measure for The purpose Of injuHng their oP
ponenis.
In late discussion, which arose on the 70
peal ofthe Bankrupt act in the House Of Rep
resentatives, Mr.. 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 l do not intend to
make a speech on this occasion, but
simply to offer a fe 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. Il is virtually res jUdicata--soon
to be Gas a thing that was not" Pol
iticians have already taken sides for
and against il 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 a long list Of the most respec-
table names 10 Louisiana, urging me
10 oppose the repeal of the bankrupt
law. No man in this House would
rejoice more than I would 10 see this
Lill amended ; but | will hold on to it
as u IS, sooner than see it repealed.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)
10 the unfortunate debtor, at best, with
out being treated as a criminal. am
willing 10 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 il stands "solitary and alone," as
tan poor mans law,in the'history Of the
world. am the open aud avowed ad'
vocate Of a bankrupt law TO benefit
debtors, and not law to benefit cred
itOrs exclusively. | would not make a
retrospective law, to favor or shield
the debtor but would place him
benceforth beyond the reach Of per-
sonal cruelty and degradation. His
property might be seized and sold F;
the roof that shelters bis wife and chill
dren from the peldngs Of the pitiless
storm might be taken from him, and
they might be turned over to penUry
and want But his person, at least,
should be sacred. The creditor should
not touch a hair Of his head after he
had made a fair and honest surrender
Of everything he was worth on the face
OF the earth,
"Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless millions mourn;'
and wise legislation win always "de-
fend and protect" the weak, the help
less, the unfortunate, and oppressed.
The fate Of the bankrupt law is alrea-
dy forstold. | entertain no doubts OF
its being repealed in few days. It
the FIRST law that ever was past and
greatly fear it will be the last-to favor
the poor and the unfortunate. Il is
idle to resist the power OF money ; to
its secret, subtle, and pervading inAu-
ences, imagination can devise, and
strength can accomplish no bar. II
will buy the prayers Of the church, the
fidelity Of man, and the love Of woman.
Il is the alpha aud omega Of all human
desires. Reason and justice are impo-
tent when opposed TO the magic power
Of gold.
"Plate sin with gold,
And the stsa,s I.--- -rs,-ssiOv nui uess breaks
Clothe i in rags, Pigmy's straw doth pierce
IT."
One Overthrowing capitalist, or rich
creditor, has more influence over the
National Legislature OF this country
than FIVE thousand unfortunate and
peFsecUted debtors.
Repeal this law, and how inconsis-
tent and repFehensible the majority oi
this House must appear in the "sober
second thought" and dispassionale
consideration Of q frOe and intelligent
community They have forced a good
law, in bad shape, upon tie nation ;
and now that the hour Of amendment is
almost az haud-I mean the n,aet;pg III