Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-12-21

which are not unavoidable. The genes
raj operation of these rules would 5000
eDaveD many SAD countenanCc, inspire
men with mutual confidence in each
other, and give to society a new and
cheering aspect. Yours, L.
|. Every individual should be pune.
tual in the fulfiment Of his pecuniary en-
gagements, from the general em6arrass
mens and distress which may arise from
the neglect of his duty. One failure un-
avoidably creates another, and anothers
and SO on almost indefinitely. To illus.
tra,e this by single example, the hus-
bandman stipulates TO pay at given
time, the mechanic for labor which has
been performed by him. On this stipu~
lated sum the mechanic relies not only
for the suslenance Of his family, but fop
the fulflmenl of bis engagements to the
s4.srek~nt. Tia ...~rsk~s4s. ssi.a;> a.
ven period, is to make returns to these
from whom he has received his goods
Now by failure in the first instances
there may be in the second, third, and SO
on to an unknown extent. And by such
failures and disappointments, immense
multitudes may ultimately be reduced
to the deepest distress.
3. Truth demands that every indivi"
dual should meet with promptitude the
enga gements into which he has entered.
Those who have contracted debts havo
solemnly obligated themselves to dis
charge them at specified period. Now
if they do not discharge them at the spec
cited period, are they not guilty OF de
rect falsehood, unless they have been
prevented by the providence OF God 9"
Most assuredly they are.
}. Justice demands punctuality in the
fulilment of contracts. Here it is taken
for granted, that there is perfect UNDER
standing between the parties when these
contracts are made-and that there is ne
fraud pracvised on the part of the credi.
tor. For the articles OF which he thus
disposes, he is in the strictest justice en-.
titled 10 an equivalent at the stipulated
period. This will apply to the loan Of
money, the sale of land, Of goods, of tho
productions Of the earth: or of any otheg
article of commerce.
A.. Another motive which may be urged
tor punctuality in the ful6lment of COM
tracts, is, tina, the want Of this is calcu-
lated in an eminen, degree to impair that
confidence which the welfare Of society
demands should be placed in its differ
eBt members.
| $. A want of punctuality in the pay
ing of debts is a most Prolific source oe
Misunderstanding, 6roils and csntes.
tions and through these it often Occa-
sions great waste of property. 1t is, I
repeat, most prolific source of misun-
derstanding, broils and contentious
Where is not ample evidence of the
truth Of this position to be found? How
many individuals, irritated and ncensed
by the temporizing course which their
debtors have pursued, have been driven
To the law of the land for redress! And
not unfrequently an altar has been erect
ed on which the fame Of every unhals
lowed passion has been kindled. Here
envy, and malice, and revenge, have
burnt forth in all their fury. Here tu~
fmult has been raised which has Destroy
ed the peace and harmony of familiess
neip hborhoods and friends. Here spi.
rit OF prejudice, of opposition, Of rancor
between individuals, has been commenc.
ed, that has followed them to their
graves.
In such contentious, also, there is off
ten the destruction Of much property-in
multitudes of cases, Of far more than the
whole amount Of the original debt. Go
through our land, visit every state, coun.
~, city, town, end how man, millions Of
dollars, within thirty years past, have
been squandered for tho want of punctu~
ali,y in the fulfilment of contracts !
Among the means ofpreventing this evil,
| would mention in the first place, shae
epery individual should resointely avoid
the contraction ct new debts, unless his
resources fully Justify it. Many fsis
ures are to be attributed solely to q ne.
gIect of this precaution. Thousands
and tens Of thousands do not consider
their means. They rush blindfolded in.
to ddhger. They venture when they
have not the slightest authority for yen-
turing. Thus they involve themselves
in difficulties from which scarcely any
thing short Of miracle can extric ate
them.
2. Another means, which will even
prove most efficacious in promoting
pnnctuality in the fulflment of contracts.
is the Practice Of rigid economy. Mans
necessary wants are hut fe ~ acI c;c,,l>