Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-08-29
IFrom the Lrcom,ng Gnzelte.l ]

tFrom the Lycomlng Gnzette.]
GEN. PACKE Err THE POOR MANS FRIEEN |
1t is we'll known that while Speaker of the
House of Representatives, in l849 Gen. |
Packer, the Democratic candidate for Cover
nor, contributed very materially by his influ-
ence toward the enacment, of the new popular
measure known as the "Thre Hundred Dollar
Exemption Act" During the winter of 1850,
it will also be remembered, strenuous effort
was made by persons who fancied themselves
aggreved by the law to have it repealed
Gen. Packer was then in the Senate where
he at once took the lead among those who op.
posed repeal A remonstrance againt the
law, numerously signed by his own consti-
tuents, being forwarded to him to present to
that body he complied with the request ac-
companying it with The eloquent remarks
which we print below and which the Phila-
delphia Sum- when publishing them, at the
time, prefaced as "philantbropic just, and
truly democratic" We need hardly say that
they contributed largely prostrating further
efforts at repeal and the poor unfortunate
debtor and his dependant family now enjoy
the protection which that humane law affords
aud a sympathizing public opinion sustains.
Gen. Packer said:-
Mr.. Speaker, do not sympathize with the
prayer of the petition have jnst presented.
l do not believe that the law oflast session
will injure the "poor and middle classes" of
community. do not believe that by exemp-
ting the last of three hundred dollars worth
of property of the poor unfortunate debtor
from levy and sale Oh execution, and by dri-
wing from the door Of poverty and distress the
sheriff and the constable urged on by
close-fsted miserly and healtless creditor,
that you njuriously affect the interests of the
poor. Sir, it cannot be true Do you for
moment suppose that you would benefit the
poor and middle classes of community" by
exposing their last article ofhousehold fnrni-
ture-their last bed-their last stove-or
their last COW to the tender mercy Of an
avaricous creditor.
If Senators entertain such an opinion let
them comply with the prayer Of the petition
ers, and vote for the repeal of the law of last
session, together with all the exemption laws
previously enacted, and they will promote
the interests of the poor and middle classes
to the hearts content of the rich. Sir, so far
from sympathyzing with the petitioners !
would extend the exemption law still further.
And permit me to say, which l do with oil
confidence that the day is not far distant
when it will be carried further. The day is
dawning when every family will be protected
id their little home, in defiance Of the bad
conduct Of au intempercte father, or q pro-
hgate husband. Tile day is coming, nay it is
nor here, schen it uiH je conceded that the
man uiM com fortable, permanent, home, w:H
much sooner pay his honest debts than he who
is almost diSgrdced uiM impending troubles
and pho is erer al the mercy Of an execution.
Many of the States of this Union have led
the way in this humane reform, Maine ex-
emptS o homestead to the value Of $500 and
in the absence ofa homestead, personal prop
erty TO the amount. Vermont eXempts u
homestead to the valne of $500, Iowa and
Minnesota forty acres of land or lot. Cali
fornia cXempts 800 acres of land or o lot,
worth $1,000. Deseret, the great Mormon
State, it is said secures home to every fam-
lily. All the States and Territories named
having acted on this subject within the past
few months. Georgia, Texas, Michigan, Wis
cousin and Connecticut have long since enac-
ted liberal exemption laws. New York,
always among the foremost in popular reforms
is also pressing on in this matter. l have
before me the annual message of Governor
Fish to the present legislature of that great
State to which | beg leave to call the atten-
tion of Senators. On the subject of Homestead
exemption the Governor says:
"While it is admittedly primary duty of
the legislature to enact laws for the punish
the causes which frequently lead to the COM
mission Of crime. The impressions made upon
the youthful mind, by the gentle force Of
parental authority and example and by the
! associations Of the family circle are among the
most and enduring of the iuanence which con-
troll the conduct Of after life. Much of the
vice that we are called upon to deplore, may
be traced to the removal of its subject from
the reach Of that authority and example, and
from the innocent but wholesome association
OF home however humble. The cause of NOR
tality, no less than the dictates Of humanity,
demands the preservation of the family circle
and the maintenance Of the ,tdnity home, as
efficient preventves Of vice and sure and per-
manent contributors to individual virtue and
happiness, and TO public prosperity and
order"
Such Mr.. Speaker are the view Of the Gov
emo of New York. They are the sentiments
| Of u humane and far-seeing stateman-and
honor him for his manly independence in
giving them the weight and sanction of his
official station. Sir, i 60 with the Governor
of the Empire State. l would secure every
family HOME and o HEARTH. | would not
not permit the covetous and hard hearted
creditor TO drive his unfortunate debtor,
naked and pennies, out upon the cold chari-
ties OF an inhospitable world The laws that
authorize such procedure should be blotted
| from the pages ofth statute books of every
State iu this Union-they are repuganant to
the age and revolving to humanity. Like the
laws s"nctioning Imprisonment for debt, they
shoul be repudated by every philanthropic
| legislator-they should exist but in the his
tory Of the past-an obsolete idea.
1t has been truly said, Mr.. Speaker, that
| he who sells out the last little property of a
wife and small children, of rash, needless, or
perhaps intemperate husband and father, and
and afterwards with cheerful countenance
goes home to dine-goes home TO FEAST ON
HUMAN HEARTS Sir money thus obtaiued has
damning curse upon it
Entertaining these views, Mr. Speaker
cannot go with those of my constituents who
last session nor can believe that any con.