The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-12-26
The Credit sy,.sm--sons Of it, Bvil,

The Credit Systsm--Some Of its Rvils
There sfea great many quite convenient
or very bens6cial practices, which are lisbla
to work only prejudicially, 20 far q the in
tsrsss of individuals and communities an
concerned, when they ars employed without
Judgment or discretion. Among thess the
system Of giving and taking credit may b
named. Somo might ay that II was nsvsz
entitled to the character Of . pontive good,
being always, both 10 creditor and debtor,
only the least Of two evils. We are aware
that much may be aid in support Of this
view Of the credit system, that the creditor
often practically regards the credit which
he gives as something undesirable and which
he would rather avoid but tho choice bsing
between ik attendant risks and the los Of
good salse. the former Is resorted to, how.
ever strong the warnings Of his own expert
enee'
he. .no giving .. e'0u,' anu 'n0 'ouus
ing OF dsot % considered el'aer ~ P'sis,'
good or merely as the least Of two evils,
there can be little hesitancy in admitting
'hat 'ney oi'eh ~ork penens.Any 'o' 'ai
cfea'ser anu aeo'of' nu' II 10 "''o 0,',.'n
that there arc instances every no" anu 'nen
occurring IN WHICH aeps nave oo''ou'
ocen 700 reaaiiy anu fecki'''J 'oh'iae''u'
and credits gwen with 700 much iac'h'y'-
instances which nave leo even 70 tho PeiPo
tration OF the meancst frauds ana tho iouios.
murders, rs in the case Of rroi' webster. IL
more caution was exercised in this matter
on both sides, and the evils ever liable 70
happen were more frequently ana attennveiy
considered, the condition OF every neighoor-
hood could but be to some extent ameilora-
ted and the minds OF thousands saved rom
the most corroding OF fcarss and the most irri'
tating of annoyances.
Foremost among these may be ranked the
unnsighborly, bitter and resentful feelings
which not unfrequsntly spring up between
debtor and creditor. The debtor, finding
difficulty in meeting the demand against him,
commences his downward career by dread
ing and stunning the sight Of the one he
owes. This seldom fails to result in hatred,
as soon at least rs measures arc resorted to,
to hasten or compel q settlement. Too fre-
qucntly, as oil may have seen, after avoiding
his creditor and experiencing much ve1ation
and perple1ity, the debtor gives free scope
to his revengefal feelings; forgets the justice
Of the debt in tho unpleasantness OF his sit
uation, and schemes and labors much more
how to evade than how to cancel the just
claims lagainst him. Too often his Ill ieei'
ingS lead him to study not only evasion out
even injury and revenge, rather than pay
msnt.
On the other hand, tho creditor being dis
appointed in his expectations, put to grcat
amount OF trouble and IN danger OF losing
what is his due, becomes equally irritated.
Iho worst part Oh ms nature Is also drawn
OUT lie loses patience ana se'''0on'fo'' aha
pursue' MS claims, not win ca'mne'' ana
)usuce' ou' unuer 'io eAc''emeh' VI PaS'oh'
iie inua'se' in 'n0 mos'f'go'ou' ana un''m'
promising measures the law Will allow
friends and good neighbors are changed to
enemies; I; and those, whose peace and happi-
ness were much dependent on their mutual
good will and good Offices, are provoked to
harm rather than help each other to tho ut
most oil their power.
Even when such difficulties are not carried
these extrcmities, there are minor evils scar
ccly less important to the peace and comfort
Of both the parties concerned. They become
subject to fears and an1ieties which tend to
destroy much Of the comfort and happiness
Of life, and which, while they sometimes stir
up men to make uncommon efforts, are quite
rs likely to discourage or overwhelm them
with despair. The dread OF unwelcome and
urgent calls IOr paymcut, VI lOcseo anu nuc-
rifces both of property and reputation, arc
far from being favorable either to composure
~ oot oop ~, flor, nf mind A dapk clnud