France. Danton’s speech to the National Convention against imprisonment for debt is recalled.

At the sitting of 22 July, under the presidency of citizen Pierre André, vice-president, the order of the day called for the discussion of the law on imprisonment for debt. Councillor Marion aîné, in making the report of the section of civil and criminal legislation on imprisonment for debt, had invoked the opinion of Danton on this matter. At the sitting of the National Convention of France of 9 March 1793, on the subject of the treason of Dumouriez, when the Fatherland was in danger, Danton had said: “What do you ask? Do you wish all Frenchmen to arm for the common defense? Well! there is a class of men that no crime has sullied, that has arms but has not liberty: it is that of the unfortunates detained for debt. It is a shame for humanity, for philosophy, that a man, in receiving money, may mortgage both his person and his safety ….. Principles are eternal, and no Frenchman may be deprived of liberty save for having transgressed against society … Respect misery, and misery will respect opulence … Let us never be guilty toward the unfortunate man, who has more soul than the rich. I ask that the National Convention declare that every French citizen imprisoned for debt shall be set at liberty, because such imprisonment is contrary to sound morals, to the rights of man, to the true principles of liberty.” Immediately after this speech of Danton’s, the abolition of imprisonment for debt, for every kind of debt, was decreed by acclamation by the National Convention.