Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-12-16

his demand. by process Of law, when for
ced to such resort. Nor is the debtor
benefited, because he. too, in three cases
out of four, lie very greatly the loser in the
legal contest. Nor is the community ben
e6tled-for burden is thrown upon i; in
the line Of sustaining. 10 q great extent. a
multitude of superior and inferior courts,
and in furnishing jurors, Witnesses, &c.
who are called for days and weeks from
the useful and productive pursuits Of life.
Statistics furnished to the Constitutional
Convention, show that ia three or TOUR Of
the counties Of the Territory, the costs in
cident 10 collecting debs have been more
than double the amount Of debts collected
by law. The history Of one county, in this
respect, is doubtless the history Of all. Who
then, are benefited2 The whole systom
amounts to nothing more or less than hea
Wy tax upon The productive industry Of the
country. for the benefit and support of
profession, which however necessary an
evil now, il should be the 6rst business Of
every community that properly regards its
welfare, TO get rid of, as fast and as far as
possible. Blu, We hare spoken only Of pc
cuniary results. Those of q moral charac
tel are still more important. |, is unne
cessary to point TO the lax morality which
prevails upon the subject Of pecunary
obligations, nor need the thinking in,elli
gent render be told that this 10 the legili
mate result Of existing laws and legal prac
tice. Legal liabilities are all that men are
taught or expected TO regard. If these. by
hook or by crook. can be evaded, and
creditor defraudsd, it involves Blu, little or
no sacrifice Of reT utaton. individuals
may build themselves up in this way, and
still retain a respectable standing. No mo
tives are presented for the cultivation or
exercise ofprinciples Of honor and honesty
Consequently, these virtues should no,
be expected 10 prevail. But change the
basis Of credit; throw mon more upon good
character, and less upon tho chances Of
law, and you present motives which can
not but lead at o7ce to an important moral
reformation intheir pecuniary dealings with
each other, and to the establishment Of bu
siness, in all its departments, OH a better
and safer foundation than it has ever yet
had. That this will be result Of the ex
empticns provided for, it needs no argu-
men TO prove. We might alluds, also, TO
the beneficial moral results likely 10 flow
from decrease ofthe amount Of litigation
which will be the necessary consequences
Ola restriction Of the credit system, as 1t
now exists, but we carnot do so particular
ly at present, and we only suggest the
point, that he thoughts Of the reader may
be directed that way.
In addition 10 important influences of
the character stated, there are political con
sderat;ons which should not be overlooked
The complete independence Of the voter is
very essential matter in a republican or
ganization: and all causes, having tenden.
cy 10 interfere with this independence,
should especially be guarded against
This principls will be admitted. An ex.
tensive credit system includes the idea of q
great number Of debtors. To place the
property and interests Of this class entirely
under the control Of the creditor class, is
10 give the latter a power which is more
than likely 10 be used in controlling the
political conduct Of the former, and &C.
comprising political ends. By restricting
a credit system, you decrease the number
of debtors, and OF course the number Of
voters liable 10 be improperly influenced.
And by exemptions to an extent sufficient
to secure the debtor in the possession of
his homestead and means Of subsis ence,
beyond the reach Of the creditor, you
place him in position where, as citizen
and voter, he can act indepe ndently.-
Upon the Importance of preserving thus
The purity and integrity Of The exercise Of
the suffrage right, i, is useless 10 offer a
remark. We have had experience enough
as TO The tremendous and dangerous power
of capital when broughtso bear in the man,
ner suggested, upon political interests.
Though the meaas of dts hold upon the
interests of an extensive debtor class, the
U. s. Bank was able, for time, 10 exe,-
else vast, and nearly a controlling, intfu- |
ence, over the political affairs of the coun-
try. Nothing but the extraordinary firm.
necs, integrity, and popularity OF Presi1en,
Jackson saved the country from failing
irrevocably into the hands of tho bank
power. How far the politics Of the States
are co"troIled by influences ofthis charac.
Ter, exercised by banks and other corpora.
tons and individuals, on large and small
scale, We are not prepared to say: but the
results of elections in many Of them. ex
hibh too plainly the workings Of capital