Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-12-29
"Creed of the Young Democracy"

We find an article going the rounds OF the
Democratic papers, purporting to be the GEM
inc "political creed of the young democracy"
II is admitted to be orthodox, and Is pronounced
the best "summary of democratic principles"
ever seen.
Some of the articles Of Faith in this creed"
will ever exist, as "the substance of things hop
ed for by those who regard the law as the limit
of right, and acknowledge no higher rule Of ac-
ton than the ruling Of a criminal court, and no
higher authority than that Of the Sheriff.
j" The gradual abrogation of all laws for the
collection of debts" is prominent article in this
creed. The insertion of this in Democratic
creed, we consider as highly superfluous. "De-
mocracy" has natural and undeniable tenden-
cy to Reorganization and reputation.
Reputation not only Of pecunary obligations,
but also Of all obligations resting upon citizens
to maintain the supremacy Of the laws of the
country. The notification of South CArolina--
the struggles Of
-" that man Of might,
The va liant Governor DOrr,"
in Rhode Island, for the overthrow Of law and
order-the refusal Of New Hampshire TO district
the State, in accordance with the law Of Con-
gress, requiring that to be done and later the
disgraceful proceedings Of the " Democrats" in
the Ohio Legislature-al 60 to prove that Loco.
focoism has ever sought and does now seek to
accomplish its party ends by means of those dis.
organizing measures of notification and civil
discord, which are ever at its control, as its on
ly elements Of power.
The article referred oin the "creed ofthe Young
Democracy" strikes blow at the basis ofall COM
mercial ransactions-Credi. 1t is well es-
tabi shed truth that laws must exist for the col
LECTION of debts, wherever debts are incurred
| 1t is right morally speaking and right in bu-
sness view of the case, that man should have
the power to obtain an equivalent for his labor
and his property, when either, for the time being
has passed from his hands for the benefit Of
another.
But the "Young Democracy" will probably
say that man ought not to put bis labor or hi:
property beyond his control, that he ought new
er to trust or get trusted-that he ought always
to pay down and be payed down. This is very
good and beautiful in heory-but how does i
work in practice According to the establish
ed laws Of trade, Credit is the great basis o
business. No great commercial transactions
can be consumated, without credit some where
and to some extent. The seller must give cred
it until the goods are received, or the buye
must give credit until the delivery Of the pur
chases. So too in the case of the day laborer
The day laborer must either give his maste
credit for ability to pay at the close Of the day
or the master must pay in advance, and gi,
the laborer credit for ability to perform tn
amount of work for which he has been paid.
In any possible instance Of business. trans
actions there must be credit actual or implied
given somewhere or somehow.
And this being the case, the abrogation G
laws for the collection of debts must be a steE
which will tend to disorganize the whole CON
mercial world, which will overthrow The laws c
trade, and leave business and business me
without any motive for activity.