American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-03-24
BE MERClEUL.

In some editions of the Lords prayer
is the following supplicatiou, which we
think peculiarly appropriate to the cir'
cumstances Of our people at the present
time: "Forgive US our debts, as we for
give our debtors" Dos.
We have been led to make this prayer
for the great mass of our people, from the
belief entertained by many, that the docks
els Of our courts are to be burdened with
suits. Indeed, in some counties, this sys-
TEN Of enforcing collection of debts. has
already commenced. We trust that the
people Of our county will deal more gena
erously with each other.
Our merchants, who compose the
heaviest creditors, should deal leinently
with the people. AS they will no. doubt
compromise their own Indebtedness on
fair terms, so should they be willing to
meet half way those indebted to them.
The poorer class Of our population have,
almost without exception, been in the ar.
my defending the property Of those who
were SO fortunate as to escape the priva'
tons and dangers Of the field. 1t is impos-
sible for these poor men to pay in their
full indebtedness, and it will be cruel and
ungenerous to demand from such the full
penalty of their bonds.
Compromise with them, take a reason
able proportion of what is due--do not
exact the pound of flesh," but let them
and their families live.
We suppose there is not a merchant IN
the South who expects to pay in full his
debts due at the North. They are shar-
ers in the common ruin, and We do not
believe their creditors will Cypress them,
or expect of them anything like an en-
tire liquidation of their dues.
Whilst the debtor should be honest.
and pay all he can, the creditor should be
lib eral and kind, and make a reasonable
deduction when the proper disposition is
shown topay.
Let us be mutually kind and forbear-
ing to each other, and soon the burden
of debt will be lifted from our shoulders.
Debts contracted before the war were
made on the faith OF circumstances which
the events Of the war have entirely alter.
ed, and though the obligation to pay rs,
Of course, the same, the ability to do SO
no longer exists.
We trust the merchants who hold the
farmers notes and accounts, will remem
Der that it is from no fault of their debt
ors that they cannot pay, and looking al
it in that light. that they will in all in.
stances, where men are disposed to settle
fairly. deal generously and reduce their
claims to correspond to the reduced cir
cumstances of their debtors. Forgive
us our debts, lin proportion) as we for.
give our Debtors" should be the motto oil
all. Compromise, ye who owe large
debts, with your creditors, and then com
promise with your friends and customers
at home, who owe you smaller debts.
Don't Cypress the people with Law
suits, but give to all who are striving ant
toiling to make support the chance to Dc
so. Kindness rarely loses its reward
even in this world. and a spirit Of for
bearance now will rebound to the inter
est of all our business men in the future
In thus urging lenienty to debtors vi
are advising against our own Pecun'arl
interest. For, if our merchants sue thu
people, and seize their property, our pa
per will be filed with sherif's sales, ant
we shall grow rich. But we do not wisl
to fatten on the distresses Of our neigh
bors. We wish to see all men prosper
Gus and happy. Therefore, we say d.
not sue. Do not Distress the people
As the Northern merchants will be con
tent to take twenty five or fifty cents OIL
the dollar from you. SO you should b
content to receive in Ike proportion from
vour nun aeighbors who owe YOU,