Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1837-07-15
AMERICAN MERCHANTS.

The following appropriate and e'oq"em' re-
marks were made in the Convention AZ AlarrIs
burg, QPenn) on the Goth instant, by James u
Biedlc, Esq, in reply to Mr.. Clark, OF Indiana
county, who made a violent and uncaliea attack
on tho merchants and bankers:
"Mr Chairman, ii were not greatly dcceiv-
cd, the gentleman in front Of me, from Indiana,
mir Clark,) used language this morning sub
stantally to this effect lie had spoken OF wealth
as an antagonist power, constantly warning a
gainst free institutions; and, being pressed ny
tho gentleman from Franklin, (Mr. Duniap) he
rose 10 disclaim having reference to wealthy lar
mcrs, who were, he conceded, mcritorIous class
Of the community; and said he referred to bank
crs and merchants, whose counting-houses were
their churches whose books were their bblcs,a and,
of consequence, whose god was wealth. SIR,
heard such sentiments with surprise and with
pain. Oh our farmers, my inclination and truth
both impcl to speak in the most favorable
terms. A intelligent upright, industrious,
patriotic yeomanry exists nowhere, than the
Pennsylvania farmers. Bat let me appeal to the
farmers. and inquire Of them who enhance the
value oil your farms, and bear the rich harvcsts
oi your fields to foreign Chimes! The mer-
chants. Who, III return, bring back to your doors
the merchandise and productions OF every part
of the world? The merchants. What has crca-
ted our splendid improv cments, our canals, and
our railroads! The spirit oi commerce. What,
in the darkest hour Of the late war. shed a halo
over our country, and, in a blaze Of glory, ef-
faced the stain OF a succession OF defeats ON
lund? Our navy. the child Of commerce. Who
bears a higher character for honor, Punctuality,
industry, integrity. and enterprise, than the A
mcrican merchants? None. Who, when, in the
year 1903, pcstcncc stalkcd through the deser
ted streets OF our fair city Of Philadelphia, and
the hand Of death marked on every door.
ministcrcd by the bedside of the suffering ana
the dying? 4 Philadelphia merchant. Who was
the first to subscribe his name that declaration
which proc aimcd TO tho world that these State:
were free, sovereign, and independent, and which
pledged lite, fortune, and sacred honor to main
tain its principles? John Hancock, an Amcri
can mcrchlnt Who when the resources Of or
country were PROSTATE, tho credit gone, and ruiz
impcndcd, by his great abilities and patriotism
restored confidence, and once more gave a vita
impulse to the financics Of the country? ROber
Morris, Philadelphia merchant. Who was ON,
Of the earliest and most devoted promoters O
that great scheme Of Christian bcncvolcnee. tn
American Bible Society. which is spreading III
bible and its blessed influence throughout tn,
worldf Robert Ralston, q Philadelphia mcrchan
whose wealth was also poured out in dispensin
charity, and in sustaining works Of bencvolcnc,
might easily swell the catalogue Of liberal IN,
nifcicnt, enlightened. patriotic American mel
chants. When, a class. have they ever mcr
ted rcprooch! Never. Stigmatize and degrad
the merchant. and what will become Of publ
credit, and how. and where, will the State del
be paid. Credit, commerce, and free instit'
iicns arc closely connected. and hourishing 4
gcthcr. The occasion docs not require that
should enlarge my remarks.
Commerce, the first Of humane avocations,
Cnitcs. enrichcs, civilzes nations.
AS one Of the Representatives Of . connie
cial city, and one proud OF the unstained chara
Ter Of our merchants, have felt it my duty
rcPcl the rcpruach attempted to be cast upon then
II had been the ou'pcsring Of bcyi-h Pctulanc