Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-09-27
Anew way 10 Paw Old Debts.


eonsn Legislature bill for the abolition OF all laws for the
e"ection Of debts Why bill for the repeal Of all
laws Of all kinds! Or why not 20 complete and perfect this
sagacOus reform and single step incorporate into
the bill provision making capital offence Tor
20 eho or ust another man or give him kind OF credit
IN any way or for any purpose Paper
The above is a specimen of the style of argument
peculiar to portion of the press aud which affects
iniegently 10 inform the public mind. II is BY no
means ''modern instance" of ntuitive sagacty.
There was never yet declared a sound principle of
science, art ethics, law, but awOke the spirit of
the caver kiDdIed the indin nation of the cync and
excited the ridcule of the selEsuicent and superb
cal. Such persons In the display Of their oracuar
infalblllty, however seneniions they may make IL,
sure TO commit absurdity which beirays the
feeble force OF their hostility. And the writer Of the
foregoing paragraph is not exempt from The common
frailty. What possible analogy, we would like to
know, exist between the ''aboliion Of all laws
for the collection Of debts" and 'the repeal Of all
laws of all kiDds!" Just much there is be-
tween one mans borrowing dollar to-day and blow
ing his friends brains out Tomorrow Or what appli-
cation has the proposal of a bill, "makng it a capi-
tai offence for to lend trust another" to
the abolition Of all laws for the collection of debts!
The derisve association is without point, and
only ~ show the very weakness Of the shaft the wri-
ter hurls at the target before him.
il has been justly remarked that while the old At
lantic States affect monopoly of all the wisdom of
the age they will vet have 10 learn the practicabilty
and efficiency Of true democratic principles from
Of the younger States of the confederacy And, from
our observation of recent proceedings in Wisconsin,
we anticipate in that State gallant pioneer in the
elaboration of fundamental ideas, too profound in
their simplicity to be spoken of upon the Allan
tic border, without sublime effort at q Jest
We do not hesitate to predict, however, though we
will not limit the period for the fulfment Of our
prophecy TO the present century, that the time ciH
when all laws for the collection of debts iciu be
a5olished-when these very laws will be spoken of
ri lcDlp nd / ma ha hat
have taken to extend tie time of our prophecy
beyond the probable period of personal RESPONSE
bility; but put it record nevertheless and shall
leave the responsibility we in the matter as
an honorable legacy to the Sum- 1t will be abundant
| ly redeemed.
/ Somebody will inquire some day, where man,
who persuades neighbor to buy hat or q coat, or
sells him upon his application on credit,
acquires the right to call in the power Of the State
to enforce payment for the same! o. he gets it from
the law of course. And where does the law come
front From the legislature. And the legislature!
From the people. So, them we shall find the prin-
cipe in operation amongst the people, we suppose
Let us look for it, And must set out with the
suppostion that such thing has never been known
as law for the collection of debts.
! A. goes TO B. and buys hat but can't pay for it
at present. 80, never mind says b. "take that
and another" After while B. sends in the bill,
but A. can't pay. He is unfortunate or dishonest.
/ B. calls upon his neighbor c. and says, "two of
arc stronger than one; A. owes me for two three
hats let US 60 to his house, seize him, put fetter
about his leg, and chi in him TO lamp-pos tall he
pays" This would be Imprisonment for debt. But
c. demurs, and inquiries of B. why he gave him
dit 90" says B., 81 thought he might pay me; but
at the same time had this in my head, that if lie
didn't, you and could serve him out, in the style
propose But c., as an honest man, denounces the
course of B. refined cruelty, dishonest in its incep
tion and practice, and unworthy of federation by
civilized people.
'We," says B., if you won't do that, help me to
go aud take something he has got by way Of satisfy
ing myself for the hats" c. demurs again, and says
to B., ''you gave him credit the profit of the bust
ness was to be exclusively yours; why would you
have occupy myself about your affairsl" 90"
says B., "I pay all expenses and pay you for your
time; only want your POicer, and III do as much
for you another time" al don't want your help"
says c.. land | can't lend you rhine. If you sold
the man the hats without proper inquiry into his
character and capacity, you were greedy of gain
imposed only upon yourself. "If he defrGuded you
by false representations | would lend you my power
to aid in his punishment; bot it is, you must take
the consequences" To settle the matter, however.
they make A. visit together and ask him TO pay for
the hats. A. replies at first, that he ''can't pay"
and them that he won't pay" At this, both feel q
little honest Indignation, and B., under the pressure
of his wrong, declares that he will credit A.
again, and moreover, will his friends sgainst
him. G. also adds, prudenly, that A. must not ex-
peci credit from him, and thus they leave the rerac-
tory debtor. Reflection brings A. his senses, and
he reasons sensbly enough that this practice won't
do In little time he finds it fatal TO all his pro-
jects He has killed his reputation, and with that
his credit is gone.
From this simple illustration of the principle in
vnlved in the Wisconsin proposition, have the
direct inference that the effect would be to make
reputation-real, practical honesty, industry, and
prudential economy-the alone basis of credit. But
here the subject expands, and defer enlarged re-
mark-BaH. San.