The Feliciana Democrat., 1858-09-25
THE MERCHA Nj.


Men are distributed into four classes, viz:
Producers, Manufacturers, Consumers, and Dis
tributors, and the operations Of this latter
makes up what Is called Commerce Whocv
er buys to sell, and sells to bny again, is Dis
tributor or Merchant whether the operation
be performed by pcdding from door to door
in q wheelbarrow, or from continent to conti
ncnt in ships or whether the transaction be
conducted behind the counter of Bank in the
purchase and sale ofmoney or exchange The
same principle prevades and actuates all of
them But possessors OF, and dealers III mon
ey, we class as Capitalists, and conline the term
Merchant to those dealing in other articles
The Merchant, then, conducts the commerce
of the world, now as heretofore Viewed in
all its lights, commerce is of the utmost impor-
tance to any nation ,ns "a. and Me"c Meects as body
entitled to the highest consideration. Com
mcrce and Merchants made FLORENCE what she
was, have made England what she Is, and are
contributing to make our own country the first
in the world, in wealth and power. Through
their instrumentality, the thoughts, inventions,
and productions Of countries remote from each
other are collected and distributed. And as
these exchanges can nny take place to advan-
tage during times of quiet, commerce is promo
tive ofpeace, and consequently Of national pros
perty.
The true Merchnn. strives to acquire knowl-
edge, for, as his dealings and correspondence
extend over n vast region Of country, ifnot over
the world, he should be acquainted with all
matters bearing upon success. Hence he should
know the geography, productions, resources,
habits, and commercial usages Of those with
whom he deals This may apply as well to con-
tiguous territory as to distant nations. Such
thoughts and studies, aud such cmployments
serve to enlarge, expand, elevate, and ennoblc
his mind and character, and liberalize his whole
nature.
Occupying the position he does between the
Capitalist and the Producer, the Merchant is
placed in embarrassing circumstances in such
times as the past crisis His transactions on the
one hand are with individuals requiring the
most exact prompttude in meeting monetary
engagements, and on the other with individn-
ais not fully realizing the necessity OF this
promptitude, or with produce subject to delay
and other contingencies while IN ra9stta. Cap
ital is too cantions TO engage in enterprises
off seemingly doubtful nature, and without the
Intervention Of the Merchant, would be value
less to the community. Itreguires more enter
prise and energy than il is master of, to plan
and push forward great projects. On the 9th
er hand the Producer, and the Manufacturer
or Artisan, are absorbed with their own pecu.
liar employments, and, besides, are too little
acquainted with the details Of business trans,
actions, to conduct the exchanges Of their com,
modities. Hence the necessity Of this middle
class, as Distributors, which as a body, com
bines more energy, more enterprise and more
general intelligence in proportion to their mum
bers than any other class
Merchants, then, may be said to be the con-
fdential agents Of the other classes, To their
activity intelligence and integrity are the
multfarious and multiplied interests Of the 9th
ers conided. Ifthe confidence thus reposed be
abused, the others suffer Hence they should
feel the responsibility Of their position, and cnl-
tlyAte lrnness OF purpose, and lofty deter
mnatlon to pcrseyere in efforts to overcome
all dlliicultles, no matter how appalling they
may appear. In times Of monetary embarI ass
ment, he is subjected to a severe ordeal when
he requires not only good rules and principles,
bnt an infleXible moral courage, which will en-
able him to govern himself by them. His on
VI fftth the capitalist must be kept or
else he may be crippled for want of further
aid. At the same time he must avoid the sac
rifce of the produce of his correspondents, or
his business will suffer by withdrawal Of their
support Relying solely upon his own judg-
ment, sustained by confidence in his own pow
ers strengthened by full knowledge Of the
details of his own affairs, guided and govern
ed by stern integrity, and moral presence
of mind which will resist all temptations to do
wrong he may expect not only to come out un-
scathed, but possessed of good foundation
on which to build up a future business and
fortune.