The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-06-06
Credit System---Some of it's Evils

Let the giving of credit and the contract
ing OF debt be considered either as a positive
good or merely as the least oftwo evils tbcre
can be little hesitancy in admitting that they
often work bcnetically for both creditor and
debtor. But it is also certain that there are
instances, now and then occurring, in which
debts have obviously been too readily and
rccklcssly contracted, and credit given with
too much fi:cilitv-instances which have led
to the preparation Of the meanest frauds.and
the foulest murders. as in the case Of Prof
Webster. If more caution were exercised in
this matter on both sides, and the evils ever
liable to happen were more frequently and
attentively considered. the condition of every
ncighborhood could be, to some extent.
amcorated, and the minds of thousands
saved from the most corroding of cares, and
the most irritating Of annoyanccs.
Foremost among these may be ranked the
unneighborly, bitter. and rcsentful feelings
which not unfrequently spring up between
debtor and creditor. The debtor, finding
difficulty IN meeting the demand against him.
commences his downward career by drcadius
and stunning the sight of the one he owes
This seldom fails to result in hatred. as soon.
at least, as measures are rcsorted to, to has
ter or compel settlement. Too frequently.
as all may have seen. after avoiding his
creditor. and experiencing much yexation
and NcrpeXity, The debtor gives free scope to
his rc'enSeiul feelings iorscts the Justice
of the debt III the unplea>antnc~s cfhis >itua-
ton. and schemes and laborS much more how
to evadc than how to cancel the JUS, claim
against him. Too often his il-fcclings lead
him 70, only TO stu,! Y evasion. but even IN
jury ard rcycn.,. rather than payment.
On the ether hand. the creditor beng dis
appointed i'll his expectations, p;~t to great
amount Of trouble. arl in danger Of lo>;"g
what is his due. becomes equally irritatcl-
The worst part Of his nature is drawn out.
He loses patience and sc!f-control. and
pursuos his claims. not with ca!mnrsS and
justice. but under the excitement of passion.
He lndulGc> i'll the most rigorous and un-
compromising, measures the law will allow
friends and good ncighhors are changed to
enemies and those whose peace AID hap
pincss were much dependent on their actual
good will and good offices. are provoked to
harm rather than help each other to the Ut
most of their power.
Even when such difficulties are not carried
TO extrenitics. there are minor evils scarcely
less important to thepc2ccand comfort otbo,h
parties concerned. They become subject to
fears and anxictie> which tend to destroy
much of the comfort and happiness OF litc.
ard which. while the sometimes sir up men
to make uncommon efforts. are quiica> likely
to discourage or ovcrWhclm thcm with sacli-
fees both Of propcrt. and reputation. arc far
from being favorable either to compoSurc or
concentration of mind. y dark cloud rests
upon and oprrc~scs the faculties and cncr-
Sic>. and care consumes many of the finer
feelings Of the heart
If such considerations. together with the
fact that the payment Of debts almost always
proves more difficult than was anticipated at
the time of contracting them, were duly