Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-07-01
No 3S
Buying Oh Trust.

prevailed among mankind, there is none
more pernicions it its operations, more
unjust and oppressive than buying on
trust, and then letting it stand for days,
and months, nay, often years, before it is
paid. And in no place to which our ac-
quaintance extends, is it so common and
general as in our own towns. 1t would
require but little effort to show that the
principle in itself is unjust. When an
individual sells an article, he expects to
realize an advantage thereby in an honest
way. But where is the profit, if he has
to wait six months or year before it is
paid? Is he not then robbed of his Just
dues? But the case becomes more OPP
priessive still, if the person selling the ar
ticle is in limited circumstances, and de-
pending on his income for his daily bread.
He needs the money, and yet it is unlaw- I
fully withheld. Or suppose mechanic
makes an article according to promise for
his customer; it is finished and taken away.
Now, the mechanic is in moderate circum-
stances, and has family depending up
on him for daily support; he works hard
to meet the wants of his customers, sup
ported and encouraged by the hope of
obtaining the reward of his sweat and
toll; aud not possessing any means in ad
vance, he hastens to complete his work,
hoping to obtain his pay in order to buy
his family bread But 10. the work is
taken away, and the poor laborer is dis
appointed-he must trust, he sighs in pain
not Knowing where to obtain the neces-
saries of life. Is there justice, is there
humanity in this! Can any man profess
sing the principle of common honesty,
pursue so disreputable and oppressive
course. Is not this, for time, robbing
the honest mechanic of his due! And by
what right is it withheld?-Has he not
earned his money? Who will withhold
that which is not his own, and yet profess
to be an honest man.
But unjust and ruinous as it is to the
person who is thus deprived for time of
what is his due, SO injurious is it to the
individual himself who withholds it. 1t
must be paid at last, and perhaps at time
when most unsuitable. Besides, it multi
plies debts, increases pecuniary Difficult
ties, until at last he finds himself unable
to meet the demands of his creditors, and
becoming bankrupt, many poor honest
mechanic loses his all.
Take it then as you please, it is an un-
lawful, unjust, disgraceful and inhuman
policy. 1t has not the shadow of an ex-
cuse. 1t admits of no apology. 1t is
relic of barbarism and unbecoming
christian people. Why purchase that you
cannot pay for. Why get an article that :
you must purchase on trust? Would it
not be better to suffer, than buy on trust?
1t certainly would be more honest. We
90 against the whole system from begin
ming to end. The only correct principle,
and the only honest policy is cash. True,
a single individual cannot arrest the diff
Guilty. As others do not pay him, he can
not pay for what he purchases. One
forces the other into this unprincipled
course. 1t therefore requires a general
movement, the united action of the COM
munity, and the general adoption of the
cash system. In this manner this mon
ster evil could soon be renewed, and with
it these ten thousand evils which prey up
on the vitals of social tide.
How can a man feel like gentleman,
who is wearing and using things that are
not paid for? Does it not degrade him
in his own eyes, Does it not make him
feel littleness, which an elevated, gem
erous mind would not bear? How can
man feel his noble independence, who is
conscious Of his numerous pecuniary obli-
gationsl
Let US be honest; let US be generous
Let us frown down system, however
general, which is sustained by the sweat,
and tears, & groans of the oppressed. We
90 for CAsH-because it is honest & right
because it alone is consistent with the
principles of morality and truth. Make
the effort. 1t can be done; sooner endure
privation for a while When once over
come, you will feel that you are free
and independent man, and that no man
can accuse you of having wrongcd the
poor, honest laborer.