, 1862-01-25

A private note from Springfield, tells us
that member Of the Convention, well /
known for lis freedom from the trarnncls i;
Of conyentiona!isn3, and for his lack Of rev.
erence for what has nothing but age TO
recommend it, proposes to bring in, at
an carly day, L resolution for tue OF
sanization Of q committee 10 inquire into !
the eNpediency Of repeating all laws for the |
collection Of debts. He does not, OUT in |
fornant tells us, expect, perhaps does not
wish, the Convention to take any decided
action on question Of such magnitude;
but he is anxious to have inquiry turned in
the direction indicated, in the hope of pre-
pairing the popular mind for Whit he is
convinced will be the next reform in Gov
ernment that the people will demand. We
shall be very glad to know that the subject
is to be discussed, and that the theories of
certain class Of thinkers, who maintain
that the governing power has no legitimate
functions except such as are exercised d.
Tectly for the protection Of property aHG
tie punishment Of crime, are to be subject
ed to analytical examination by body Of
shrcwd, practical mcn
The fabulous Jewel in the toaI's head
is not more wonderful, if received as fact,
than the other fact, Thai, in the heart Of the
most burdensome and atrocious dcspotisms,
are to be found the most radical Demo
cratic thinkers. The book in which Dem
ccratic theories are insisted upon with the
most logical force, and in which they are
pushed to the greatest extreme, was writ
len by WILLIAM HEaBoLDT, the Minister
of dcspotic Prince. 1t was read in Ger
many as harmless speculative recreation
Of an active mind, and, though it was finally
suppressed by the Government, its author,
regarded as blamcless enthusiast for all
impossible condition Of social and political
life, remained in his place, undisturbcd.
But the fundamental truths which he laid
down, and from which he deducel legisla-
tire 1na1ims that tie most Democratic Of
our Free States would refuse to adopt, sank
deep into the soih in which they fell, and
the fruit is school Of European politicians
far in advance Of the most enlightened pub
1icists Of the United States. They have re-
viycd and given new force 10, among other
things, the reasons which have long beer
urged against al laws for the collection o1
Gebts; and as their conclusions are mol
without a certain degree Of weight, we
briefly state them, thus:
L a reposes confidence in B, and trust!
him with lis property This is transac
ton with which the State has nothing tt
do. The individuals concerned are fre'
agents, and if A deals with man WHO can
not or will not pay, he has no right TO cal
upon the State to repair Ills biunders. But
If B cheats 4, by fraud or nisrepresenta
ton, he then becomes amenablc to crimina
prosecution.
Il AL statutes for the collection Of debt
become imperative against educated VII
lainy, and spend their full force upon til
poor and unfortunate, who, morally, are nc
amenable for their inability to discharg
their obligations.
LII The litigation growing out of III
paid debts is, By its cost, burdensome to th
citizen; and by the rewards which it offer
is constantly stimulating the growth Of
class Of non-producers, (lawycrs,) who's
trade it is to defend wrong equally Wit
right, whereby the nice moral sense Of me
Is destroyed.
". The credit system, protected T.
legislative cnactments, ID prejudicia1 to il
dust1y, and profitable only to the wealth,
who at last profit by the bluuders, the d
lays, and the purchased injustice which al
insepaEablc from collecting courts.
7. The repeal Of all laws for the cole,
ton Of debts would, so far from being tt
offer Of a premium to dishonesty. be
much needed guaranty that honesty, whc
found, would be properly valued.
VI Business, save in exceptional case
being put on cash basis, industry, fruc;
ity and th1itiness would at once becon
in more eminent degree, the claractt
is.ics Of the people, would increase th
selfrelance and wealth, and. hence, t
power and usefulness Of lie State.
These arc a brief summation Of tie
gumentE as We find them stated in the
ssys, disquisitions and appeals Of tht
who maintain that the existing
1asons Of debtor and creditor, SO far
their legal status is concerned, Ehonld
abolished. To most Of our read
they will be matter for thought; 8
it is not impossible that the Wess'
mind, active and in a certain meas
uatramme1lcd BY the conTensiona1is