New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-25

REVIVAL OLE BUb1NESS.
The throngipg of strangers in our streets and
their welcome presence in the warehouses OF our
merchants mark very considerable revival oil
trade, which our Custom. House returns tend also
to establish. We are still importing moderately,
ss we ought to be in view of the stoppags of
what were formerly our chief exports and the
existence of . devastating civil war; but our
commerce, internal and foreign. is re-consftut.
ing itself on the basis Of our actual condition,
and, while diminished in volume, is decidedly
improved 10 character. We are buying and sell.
ing less than in former years, but on far shsrter
time and with such inquiries and precautions as
render morally certain the punct1al payment of
most obligations. II there can be such thing
~ safe, legitimate credit for merchandise, we
now have it, while an unusual proportion sf the
purchases Of country merchants are made for
cash. 1t only remains subject OF regret that
60 close an approach should be made 10 the rue
system without fully attaining it and that tiose
who have been virtually compelled 10 forsaH q
vicious way for one comparatively right sbuld
not heed Hamlet's urgent advice and reform it
altogether"
And why should we not have Q Commercial
system based on the Cash principlel We d. not
mean by this that every retailer and every con.
sumer should always lay down the price a the
very moment that be takes up the goods; but
we do mean that each rural township shouldpay
for ito wares and fabrics quite as fast as itob-
tains them; and so Of each consumer. What
reason can there be for constant and hayy
balance on the same side in the Interchange OF
products between the Agricultural and the Mn.
ufacturing classesi Why should farmer III.
ways expect cash for his Wool (and be stodd
never part with till paid for it) yet buy hc
Clothing of his family mainly on credit Why
should planter mortgage aud cot up every abm
Of his crop before be has grown 1t One inv
liable result of this vicious course Of trade isto
enable rogues, iders, and prodigals to I've
sumptuously on credit, and compel relatively
honest, industrious, and frugal persons ~ ,ay
| therefor in enhanced prices for whatever hey
buy. For if a country merchant sells $1,000
worth per annum aud loses 81 900 worth Of the
aggregate in bad debts, it ia very clear ihs his
solvent customers pay not only for whatthey
buy but for whatever is consumed by the soh.
rupts as we'll IT, now, the city joboer BIS to
provide for loss of FIVE to ten per cent. q his
credits in like manner, it follows that the plying
| consumers are called to shoulder o doubled
den-the eahanced price paid by the re'ael and
that which he must impose to cover bis ,wn
| probable losses both falling on tneH' ousN WV
! 10 rest satishcd with this
IL i. absurd TO say that A must per'e'ere !.
v;o;or. oo,r.. upl,,s v. C and VIII rc- -..,,
| 10 abandon it. Let solvent merchant in any
township say, 20 Henceiorth 1 hny and el only
t" for ca.h dowo, and fix my prices accordingly"
cud it is hardly possible that be should MT (un.
le.e followed in tais step by his rivals) son at
tract to himself not only the best trade Of his
vicinity, but the largest share Of the aggregate.
Few solvent, thrifty persons viii pay tn per
cent. extra for three to SIX months credit on
their goods; and the custom Of those WIN will
pay it, whether through want or heedlegness
can scarcely be worth hsing
Hardly twenty years ago, newspapers were
generally sent out on credit, il being su)posed
that people cared so little for them thai they
would do without rather than pay cash losn.
But few publishers inaugurated the system Of
issuing a better sheet at q smaller prIso for
cash than could possibly be afforded on credit,
aud the great mass Of readers rapidly fssook
the journals still profered them on credit for the
cheaper or better rivals that could be had only for
cash 10 advance. Yet tho number of readers,
or of Journals required, did not diminish IN con-
sequence, but has ever since rapidly increased.
And not reason can be given why this eIpe-
renee should not be initiated by merchants where.
ever goods are now sold on credit. Only let it
be universally known that goods are sold cheaper
for cash than they are or can be for credit and
the great majority Of solvent buyers, whether
for sale or consumption, will throng the cash
stores. Let any manufacturer, jcbber, or re-
taller, try fairly the experiment of spending one
fourth Of his average annual Losses by bad debts
in making his wares better known, putting his
prices at the lowest figure for cash only, and he
will soon find his sales larger than ever before,
provided his goods are adapted 10 the public
wants and be knows how to do business.
These truths Sre Of such general interest that
they must be dnned into the public ear until
they shall be fully heeded, ADD the stern Lessons
of the present year arc eminently calculated to
secure for them favorable reception.
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