Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-11-28
Rctrenchment.

In times like these everybody will, Of course
retrench--a few because they feel that they ought
to do so, and more because they feel they must.
But where to begin is the difficulty, and the point
of departure on this new line of conduct is just
what makes the difference between the swindler
in financial matters and the wise man Of business.
The following from the Philadelphia Ledger, in
some remarks on the subject. we commend to the
careful perusal Of our readers:
There will be one man not worth cent but a
bold fnancer, drinks his champagne daily, and
buys more exorbitantly than ever, wines. horses,
silk dresses and Paris coitieurs for his wiie,every-
thing for which he can get six months credit un-
til these times have blown over, aud curtail only
on the strictest cash articles, because ready mo-
ney can no longer he raised at any price. He
spends freely, only to keep mp his credit.
Another man with thousands. and who manu-
features largely, is panic-striCken and turns off
all his hands. lie is quite honest, and thinks that
hy emitting off all his outlays be is curtailing. The
operatives that he has employed for twenty years
tossed overheard. But his rent continues,
his capital yields nothing. everybody supposes
him ruined, the banks know he is doing no busi.
ness, none show him any more consideration than
he showed to others, and in the end be really
docs fail.
But another class of men retrench differently.
They do not buy any of the costly articles OF
personal and family luxury they had intended
They do not decorate their houses with fresh fur
niture. or hangings. or mirrors this fall. They
live plainly, without costly dinners and thousand
dollar parties or hosts of useless servants. but
continue their business on a restricted but steady y
footing, and vigorously endeavor, if possible, to
retain in their employ those upon whom the loss
would fall severely.
There is but one principle which can be fol-
bowed out safely. which is, to disturb the employ
ment Of reproductive industry as little as posi-
bic consistently with safety. but to cut down all
consumption without reproduction as quickly and
rs closely possible. Let every man begin to
save at home To those used to talk Of thousands.
and borrow and buy and sell by wholesale, the
fittles or hundreds at time expended unnecessa-
rily in the domestic arrangements seem trites.
bat with money ut two or three per cent. month
such expenses will surely be ultimate if not i'm
mediate ruin
1t is frequently urged that ii is impossible to
draw the line between what is and what is not a
reproductive expenditure, and especially that
What is an unproductive expenditure to one man
is a productive operation TO others. 1t all he ps
TO put money in circulation The artizens in Gu
rious and costly carvings the painters and deco
ralors will all be thrown out OF employ, it is said
if this rule be adopted. But it should be remem-
hered that these works are all undertaken as
works of superhuity and luxury, to be paid fol
at higher prices out Of accumulated wealth. The
condition Of things which alone could render
thcn appropriate falling the works should
be suspended. Every one is poorer now than
three months ago, and must aim so to bear it as
hot to destroy his power of reproducing fortune.
We repeat it, let every one, rich and poor
however ultimately able to afford something bet
ter in their style of living, practice economy in
all personal and domestic expenditures that bring
settling back. But let him keep on the regular
course of his business with as little interruption
OF complaint as prudent view of the whole cas- e
will admit Allure all costly parties and adopt
social visiting in its place. let there be fewer car
riages sported and more brisk hearty walks tn
ken, less champagne drank, and more cheerful
social home conversation and hopeful energy in
business. 1t is by means such these that pro
perty is preserved from the hammer, and that
Panics pass away. 1t is by these means that the
industrious and laboring population. who create
all the work which others enjoy. are kept from
suffering and starvation amidst the plenty with
which Heaven has rewarded their labor