Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-12-10
Rev. Henry Ward BeeChcr
On the Commercial Press
ulPn

Church, Brooklyn, on the "Lessons OF
the Times suggested by the present
commercial pressure. The discourse, the
New York Post says, was one of great pow
er, and produced profound impression.
Mr.. Beecher's text was from Mathew, xvi,
9, 8:
when it is evening. We say, 1t will be
fair weather; for the sky is red. And in
the morning, 1t will be foul weather to-day;
for the sky is red and lowring. o, ye
bypocritcl ye can discern the face of the
sky: but can ye not discern the signs Of
the times?'
We cannot, this morniug, make room
for more than an extract from the report
before US, and tins we take from the mid
die of the discourse, emitting the introduc-
ton and conclusion:
l have already. this morning, taken oc-
casion of the serious alarm and trouble
which exis. in the commercial affairs of
our country, to address some remarks to
Christians for their encouragement, COM
fort and guidance. propose This evening
to look at the subject in its relations to
good morals and to the welfare of the COM
munity.
1 1t is remarkable to see how much suf-
fering comes upon men, not by any dis
ease, but simply by difficulty of CONNER
cial breathing.
If the human body be stricken with fe-
yer or palsy; if cholera or plague attack it;
or if the sword or bullet smite it; or if some
weight fall suddenly and crush it; or some
secres wound draw out drop by drop the
blood, we do not marvel There is cause
adequate to the effect. But if you put a
man into an exhausted receiver, under a
bell glass, without a particle Of air, the
mischief is just the same. No organ suf-
fers, no tissue is lascerated, no muscle
crushed, no part is poisoned, none wasted
or drained of its vital fluids, and yet the
man effectually dies.
The course of affairs among us has net
been disturbed by the natural invasons of
war. The harvests have not failed, and
famine has not reached out his gaunt hands
among us. Disease has not striven in our
midst. nor has industry ceased for lack Ell
thcr of legitimate enterprise or proper
matter for enterprise.
And yet this great nation, in full health
with uncounted abundance of harvests. in
its young manhood, stalwart, eager, hope
full, is suddenly brought up, and trembles
and staggers, as if it would lie down in
faintness. What is the matter? 1t is the
want of air. The city cannot breathe.--
What then is this commercial air which is
so needful to life and activity? 1t is the
faith of man in man. 1t is mutual trust.
1t is confidence This is the air which cor,
merce breathes. And now, in our midst,
although there have been indiscretions,
there have been none which the country
could not bear almost without check.
Men speak overstocking the market.
of over manufacturing, Of over-importa-
tions, and of extravagace of various kinds
do not say that there have no. been mis-
takes in these respects, and great mistakes
But do say that we are too strong a peo-
pie to be brought into such confusion by
mere mistakes Of this kind. This country
has such vigor and such elements ef power
that surface mistakes will never damage II
seriously. There is money enough, prop
erty enough. the need for goods and mann
eacturing, but men are all paralyzed to day
chiefly by the fear Of each other. Men
lsok at the best concerns, as in times oi
siege they look at bombshells, expecting
that every one will burst. and that the on
ly difference between one and another is in
the length of the fuss, and the time it will
take to burn out.
Bnt why should there be this sudden
cessation of confidence? You trusted those
men yesterday to so arouud the globe with
your money. whom now you will not trusl
to carry it from the bank to the store! Nc
change has come over these men They
are just as honest now as then. Their
morals as good. Their business is as
safe On whatever foundation you stood
five months ago, the materials of thai
foundation remain untouched to day
Your ships are there. Your goods are
there. Your shops ara there. Your
neighbors are not niggards nor Stimulating
friends. They are the same men that yor
always knew. just as good, just as bad, un
changed either for better or for worse
But the city is under spasm. No one vii
take things to be as they seem. No on,
trusts. Every one doubts and fears.
Now, it is the last degree important t.
inquire, why has confidence gone, an(
gcne so suddenly and SO completely? Yes
lerday it blossomcd like flowers over the
field; to-day frost has fallen, and all arr
black and dropping! What wind has sen
that withering frost?
In reply to this inquiry, l would say
that in part this panic of fer is withou
proper ground. 1t is the over action o
causes, of which shall speak. which ar
real. But we have not stopped at the le
gitimate potency of those causes, but al
lowed our imagination to cary ou, fea
headlong, and with it our confidence il
each other. Merchants are row like me-
awakened p the night by the attack of al
enemy. All scream and run, one cryin,
out one thing, another anotker, all STUN