The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-07-29
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
"HARD TINES"

Much has been said of late, and various at
tempts have been made, to account for the
scarcity of money and the "hardness of the
tines Some of the reasons assigned seem to
be foreign to the subject others wear more
plausible aspect but few, it seems, have come
TO the root of the matter. That the exporta-
ton Of specie to foreign countries makes it
scarce here in proportion to the amount export
ed, there is no doubt; but what becomes of the
equivalent received for it ? Is it not brought
home and consumed in our families That the
present management of most of the banks,
keeps less money in circulation than there would
otherwise be, is a matter of course. That
proper tariff on imported cloths will eventually
afford better encouragement to the American
manufacturer, and that want of proper pro-
lection has been detrimental TO his interests.
there is no doubt. But does either Of the above,
aifcged causes, or all combined, produce the
effect complained of? 1t seems to me not. The
grand difficulty, apprehend, is nearer home.
| imagine that ii originates In the management,
or rather mismanagement, of our domestic
affairs Ii seems to me that it may be reduced
to two principal causes, direct, VIZ, tntempGr-
nnce and extravaganza. How can the drunk
ard but see % hard times, who spends his scan
ty earnings for that stmulOus, the immoderate
use of which, degrades him beneath the brute
creation, and reduces his family to indulgence
and wretchedness' How can he who antici
pates the pay for his labor, to procure the dead
ly poison, prosper, or see other than " hard
times" Yet many such men there are though
it is hoped tina; the number is decreasing. Al
though much has been done OF late, for the sup
prossion of the monster, Intemperance, yet he
docs much mischief and will continue to do
much. until he is exterminated entirely. To
supposc that the confirmed sOt will ever become
n sober man. or good citizen, Is almost as I'M
reasonable as to suppose that our rivers Will re-
verse their course and run up hill. Had the
friends of temperance societies no other pros
pect in view, than of reforming old tiplers, they
might despair of accomplishing their end but
the prospect of rescuing the rising generation
from, the clutches of such fend, is an object
that should stimulate all the friends of humani-
~ to great exertions 1t is useless for those
who are in the habit of drinking to excess, to
expect anv thing but hard times" until they,
instead of spending portion of their income
for ardent spirits apply it to the actual necesSi-
ties and comforts of life
Ifintemperance is the cause of D." hard times
to n part of the community, it is hoped, for the
honor of mankind, that that part is the smallest
Then it follows, of course, that the major part
are in another error, an error which is, perhaps
less heinous but no less productive of hard
times" Extravaganza is an evil into which al
ranks of people have fallen but the effect i.
The most visible in the poorer class. 1t is
matter of course for the poor to endeavor tC
initiate the rich, and they often do it to then
utter ruin. Ifpoope in moderate circumstanc
os could be induced to act independently o
those that are more opulent, or if those who arc
in allluence would dispense with all their super
auons, but costly articles of dress and furniture
and abridge their Injuries of llving-l Injuries
too, that are not conducive to health, but inIu
rious to it, then, and not Till then, VIII be re
Moved tho greatest cause of " hard times /
is vain. and worse than van it is the height o
folly, for merchants, mechanics, manuiactur
ers, professional men, or farmers, of small in
come, and still smaller capital, TO presume t
follow the extremes of fashion. They may