Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-06-20
From lie .Narristawn Regisfer.

reception D6th by the jury and spectators, we
requested a friend to give Us the substance, or
synopsis, Gas far as his memory would permft)
when he very politely favored US with the follow
ing:
Gentlemen Of the Grand Jury--I shall
take the liberty Of saying few words on
subject which may got seem to Come
properly under my notice at this time.
But, it is SO general topic Of converse
ton, and has been so frequently handled
in the newspapers, and in pamphlets, that
think it will not be amiss to introduce il
in this place. The subject to which al
lude, is, the Hard Times. You are here
gentlemen, from the remote parts Of your
county, and you have doubtless heard
variety of causes assigned for these hard
times. Our legislature have had the sub
ject under consideration--they have talk
ed Of loan Office, of stop laws, Of law
for great internal improvements and a
great variety of projects have been agilated
by them; all to obviate those hard times.
But their projects are all visionary none
of them calculated to do the smallest good
to the community. Congress, too, have
been engaged 90 this subject they have
thought that some great change 10 the
tariff, or some important measure for the
encouragement OF domestic manufactures,
would help US out of the difficulty. But
all this is perfectly idle. These proie is
don't strike at the root of the matter
may be singular 10 my views, gentlemen.
but, really, have thought SO much on the
subject, that can't avoid expressing my
sentiments, whatever you may think of
them. | have 10 objections TO great i'm
proyements-I am, by 40 means, unfriend
Ely 10 our own manufactures but then,
think, that 10 order to cure the evil, we
must all act individually. Lei Inc WORK |
of reformation begin at home, aud conf
IDENTIFY believe, we shall soon get rid Of the |
hard times, that are SO much complained /
of. To be calling out for legislative aid |
while we ourselves are idle, is acting like |
the man in the fable. who when his wagon |
wheel was fast in the ditch, cried for Her
cules to help him, instead of putting bis
own shoulder 10 tue wheel We must help
ourselves, gentlemen, and if that will not
answer, why then we may call for Her
cules to assist us.
We are too fond Of showing out 10 our
families aud 10 s..is way oar expences
far exceed our Incomes. Our daughters
must be dressed off in their silks and
grapes, instead of their linsey wooIsey
Our young folks are too proud to be seen
10 coarse dress, and their extravaganza
is bringing ruin on our families. When
you can induce your sons to prefer young
women for their real worth, rather than for
their show; when you can get them to
choose wife who can make good loaf oil
bread, aud good pound of butter, 10
preference to girl who does nothing but
dance about 10 her silks aud laces, then,
gentlemen, you may expect to see change
for the better, We must get back to the
good old simplicity of former times, if we
expect TO see more prosperous days. The
time was, even since my memory, when
simple note was good for any amount of
money, but now bonds and mortgages are
1 thought almost 90 security and this is
lowing to the want Of confidence /? Why, it
is owing to your extravagant manner of
living; by your families going 10 debt
beyond your ability to pay. Examine
this matter, gentlemen, and you will find
this to be the real cause. Teach your
sons to be too proud to ride a hackney
which their father cannot pay for-let
them be above being seen sporting in a
| gig or carriage, which their father is 10
debt for. Let them have this sort Of in
dependent pride, and I venture TO say,
that you will soon perceive reformation.
But, until the change commences in this
way in our families; until we begin the
work ourselves, it is in vain to expect
better times.
| Now, gentlemen, if you think as do
on this subject, there is a way of showing
that you do think SO, and bat one way -
| When you return TO your homes, have
independence enough to put these princi.
Piles 10 practice, and am sure you will nol
be disappointed.
| was riding ia the country last Satur-
day, aud heard an angry mother bawl gu,
to her SON" Sam! Sam what are you
doing there p To which the boy, 10 the
whining tone of enc who was afraid of Z
flogging, answered." Nothing"
\ was out of hearing, but asked mysel
what are half the sons of men doing to
wards lettering their own condition or tina
of others ? In the language Of Sam, / an
swered-Nothing.
! What is that fellow with ruffles, loung
ing in the shade, doing ?-Nothing.
! What is that man leaning against thu
corner Of the square, shaking hands will
people and smoking bis segar, doing ?
Nothing.
Il See that dandy, with his hands in hi'
innckeis. wellington boots on. aud Ratci