The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-06-21
Original.
THE credit Tenn.
IYdpeJby
BY ARMsT 7 MASON.

BY ARMsT MASON
Who hates it not, for it is fast growing in
to one of our greatest evils, spreading from
pole to pole. And if it continues to be mis-
used as it has been for the past ten years, it
will eventually be the ruinstion of our coun-
try. Some may sneer at the above, and say
call fudge" but reader, let me place before
you few arguments or illustrations and
then see if you will not concur with me, at
least to great exttnt in my views. freely
admit The credit system has been a benefit TO
some, but at the same time it has been the ru
ina.ion of thrice that number. And had it
never been abused, might Lave proven Itself
benz, ft both to the rich and poor. But
alas it has proven itself curse. For in
stance, toke as an example, a young man in
your own community, (they can be found
anywhere and everywhere, who wishes to
start in business for himself. His name and
character stands unbl mished among all who
know him. But unf)rtunatly his purse is
! eight" He consul!s his friends, tley advi,e
him to borrow capital, and even throw open
their own purses to lin. He takes their
proffered offers, greatly encouraged by their
lberslity ; and highly pleased with his own
good standing. Ii he is mec, anio he pur-
chas's property, tools and other necessarics
were-with to Start right" and of en- buys
articles which he could conveniently dispense
/ with just tccau,c he can buy on tick"
/ He enters Lis shop. th:ows Of his coat,
takes hold Of his plane with light heart,
"whi>llirg" while thoughts Of brilliant sue
cess crowd lis mind. II is bent on getting
riches. Work comes in plcniifully, is finished
ard goes ou!. But money stays out His
flashed jobs disappear, and large accounts
appear. He fnls that his small day y-book is
not sufficiently large to contain all the charges
/ But Iortmonnie worth a sxpence, will
easily hold all his change. Time is fleeing
and flies swiftly. His obligations are fast
becoming due. He begins to reflect how he
shall meet hem. He docs not wish to "dun"
his customers so soon, for fear they will de-
sert him, but there is no other alternative
He is forced to do it, and at it he goes but
alas he finds everyone placed in the same
situation as himself, jones depends on Smith,
Smith on Brown and Brown on some bod y
else-so its depending altogether, and 10
"pay." They all have it due them, but the
trouble is to get it. Thus, after taking cir
CURT around among his customers, he returns
home-sad, no money, and minus a pair Of
"half soles." He sits down, rests his head
csrelessly upon his hands, and medtstes
what he shall do. But he meditatas in vain.
He can see no chance to meet his obligations
on the morrow favorably. Debt seems 10
swing with ponderOus weight above his head
ready to crush all hopes beneath it. He
again takes hold of his plane, but it moves
differently from what it did one year before
Then it fairly laughed as the transparent
shaving dropped from it, But now it moves
hesvily-it chokes and Stops. Tomol row
his creditors will have to be faced, but how
dare he face them. He trembles at the
thought. Night comes on, but his heretofoi 6
sweet pillow gives him no refreshing sleep
His dreams are haunted with "I Promise tc
Pay" Day dawns, Tomorrow comes
H S dreams are realized, for the Same Zone
year after date" which he read all night
is before his eyes. He utters forth, 81 cant
pay" what more could he utter? But thai
will not cancel The debt, 81 can't pay" does
not satisfy his creditors. Executions are
made and the "Constable Sale Bill" grace:
his shop door, the friends that thronged abou
him, ard with sorrowful heart he feels him
self ruined. Now ask whether that young
man would have been brought to this un
pleasant situation, if it had not been for tn,
credit system. Nay, he would have WORKED
gradually along, and by industry, gaineC
f both riches and true friends.
> Itmay be applied just as apPlicabl' to al
: no matter in what branch of bU,ioess tbe
may be engaged. Without great care, it wi
, lead all astroy before they are aware of it,
1t is the credit system that breaks the me,