The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1837-06-16

PECUNIARY EMBARR.ssMENTs

& AL@bNA1RA LhnAhhANNMEN
The history of our country furnishei
no parallel 10 the existing pressure AM
disaster in the commercial world. From
prosperity TO adversely, from affiuencs
and independence TO bankruptcy and rl.
IN, the change has been rapid and unex.
peeled. and multitudes in every part OF
our land, but particularly in our great
commercial cities, are supplied with the
blow which has so suddenly Frustrated
their highest worldly hopes. We have
never Witnessed such panic and distress.
Or beheld so affecting a commentary on
the mutability Of earthly possessions.
Human sagacity is fooled in deyising re-
medy. and the evil, like the first assaults
Of an Epidemic and malignant disesse. is
left to rayage and destroy, until satisfied
with its victims, it assumes milder type.
All classes of society must necessarily
participate in the calamity; between the
highest and the lowest the bonds of con-
neAion are intimate: and what effects the
wealthy capitalist must ultimately embar-
rass the laboring classes.
Assto the causes of the present unpre-
eedented distress, there viii of course be
differences of opinion. Some attribute
it 10 The interference of the general 90
verument with the currency, and others
again to inOrdinate speculation and over
trauing. The causes are probably OF
mixed nature; but to determine these is
not our purpose. Our province is more
particularly with the moral aspect of the
crisis. Whatever NAV be the proximate
causes Of the distress, its general preya-
lence and oppressive character, already
point it out as chastisement from Hea.
ven.
As a nation we have sinned, as a ma
ton We are punished. The disregard OF
tie Lords DAY has been sanctioned by
athe laws of the land, and BY the daring
and practical example of our national le-
gislatufe. rhe acts of a government
have greater prominency in the view of
lea, en- than the acts of mere indiyidu-
ais, or of particular portion Of the COM
munity, for these acts are the opponents
Of public sentiment. When Congress
is appointed which will cast contempt on
the laws of God, the whole nation is in
volvet in the criminalitv. Thus it is
Wit US as people. and surely God is
visiting Us for these things.
But there is another point of view in
which our present calamties NAV be /
justly regarded as a frown from Tod. !
Americans BY preeminence NAV be re- !
z rIed as a nation OF. idolators, if coyet- Z,
business be idolatry as the scriptures af- a,
firm. The desire, nav, the determine
ton to become rich, is the great national !
characteristic. 1t is not mere industry,
but restless anil excessive exertion to
amass wealth; such efforts as indicate
that the whole mind is engrossed and alb
sorbed by this ruling passion. The or :
binary course of lawful business is but |
little suited to the spirit of the age, while
new and extraordinary modes of accumu-
lation are devised. Neither do ordinary |
gins, or gains gradually secured. satisfy, |
but princely affiuence, and that suddenly !
acquired, is the object aimed at. Hence |
the schemes of unbounded and hazardous
speculation which are so eagerly adopt
Ell. And besides, money is sought for |
lis own sake, or for purposes of ostenta-
ton and sinful qualification, and not as an |
instrument of enlarged beneyolence. 1t |
has heen too much feature of the times
to expend extravagan,ly in display and
fashion, and to give grudgingly and par
TO the cause of religion and
human Improvement. Millions have been
thus kept back from God, and appropria-
ted TO other purposes than those for which
they were designed. Such has been the
prevailing temper Of our community; and
no. At length God has spoken. But re-
:enay he spoke impressively by a vide
spreading and destructiA disease, but his
yoce was unheeded; men paused for
and then with renewed eager
ness they Thought and sold and got
yaia - Now, however, the Lord has
.otched the idol itself, in the absorbing
worship Of which men have forgotten
heir freator; and as il crumbles beneath
ais touch, how many are saying in their
Iearts, "ye have taken away my gods
md what have We left" Considering
he prevailing sentiments and habits of
,ur' nation, God could not have laid his
land upon more .sensi,i p~r': nothing
o9!4 have 20 sensioIy affected men, as