Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-06-15

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eseR dSal hAS hSsH SAla EoS asa
AGSinSt General bankrupt Law, aud IL IL
RqueStiou upon which much can be said
on both sides. law with such wise pro.
visions as shall guard against possible
abuse, seems to be eminently due to a large
class of unfortunate persons. Indeed We
cannot but think that, without injury to
creditors whose just rights of course
should be fully protected, such a law
would not only afford substantial personal
relief to thousands. but also be promotive
of the commercial and industrial pursuits
of the country.
We are not unaware OF the real nature
Of indebtedness, nor of the prevalent idea
that to safety a debt payment sh ould be
made in full and in kind. Nor, when the
ability to cancel exists, do we demur to
the proposition. But suppose a want Of
ability-that from causes wholly beyond
the control of the debtor, his property has
gone and he lie utterly destitute of the
means to pay-What then? Shall the fact
of indebtedness, and the abstract idea that
it can only be cancelled by payment in full,
remain o perpetual bar to the released
Such course, We apprehend, were neither
wise, nor just, nor economical, nor in &C
cordauce with the true relations which
subsist between debtor and creditor. But
on this subject the N. Y. Indepenasns pre-
sents some views which we commend to
careful attention:
"More than one hundred thousand good
business men-mostly white men-are now
in bondage, praying at the doors of Con-
gress, that their chains may be broken.
They love freedom, generally, as we'll az
black men. Hundreds of them are in the
army, fighting for the liberties OF the whole
people. They are qualified to fill impor-
tant places, high stations, and should be
eligible to such positions. They have been
trained to active life, and they now ask
to be set free, that they may use their God
given endowments to obtain an honest liv-
ing, without let or hindrance from any
lQuArter. These men, to. day, are bound
and manacled hand and foot. They cannot
move an inch without suspecting a sheriff
at their heels. They rise a foot only to
fall fathom. They put forth strength
only to see their weakness demonstrated.
They toll in sorrow to earn their bread
and then eat it with signing aud tears
They are not convicted thieves, forgers
burglars, or murderers. In the main, they
are honest, well-meauing men. They have
their failiugs, who has not2 They have
made mistakes, but not such as are worthy
either of death or life punishment. They
have families dependent upon them fol
support, and must they also be afflicted2-
They have beloved children yearning fol
their fathers deliverauce and aid, and mus
they grow up uueducated2 They have as
pirations to be useful, and must these no.
BILE feelings be choked and queuched2-
What, we ask, is to be done with such G
host Of menf We want their help in pay,
ing our enormous taxes. We want them
to shoulder part OF our national burdens
We want them cheerful workers by oul
side. We want them free, as we are, to &C
once more according to their conviction
of duty.
We ask, nay, we demand of Congress
that this matter of debt-bondage be nov
considered. We ask that these more thai
100000 white men shall now have prope
attention. We demand that this civilized
Christian nation shall have on its statute
6OOko 90 equitable, permanent bankrup
law. We demand Ibis subject shall Dc n
longer postponed. No other respectable
nation on the globe-are you aware q
this fact, Messrs. Congressmen?-is with
out such a law. We are behind the age.