The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-04-27


This Col. is refreshing and hopeful. lie
would now have us believe, that he never
was guilty of advocating such sentiments.
He tells us he only meant TO apply the
principle in a "purely commercial sense"
Pray tell me in what other sense can it
be applied 2 The letting and hiring of
money, suppose to be purely CONNER
cial business under any circumstances,
even though extoriionary rates are paid
for it. But we ought not to expect too
much of new converts to any doctrine.
Former evil principles suppose always
look more or less iepulsive to those who
have renowned them, and il is very nat
ural that some sort of palliative excuse
should be sought, to alleviate the troubled
conscience for ever having adopted them.
How 20 weak remedy can serve the
purpose in this case, | can not under
stand But it probably operates through
the imagination, much like the bread pills
sometimes used in medical practice. | see
but one reason Cor Encouragement in the
case of Progress" Hc evidently needs
slight " tonns up" in his veracity. For
when he represents me az saying that the
taking Of any rate under thirty per cent
at least, is extortionary or, claw aside)
even immoral, he evidently knew that
il had no foundation in fact. | did not
then nordo Incw proposeto name any sum
as the boundary line between iustand ex-
tortionary rates. That is a matter Of opin>
ion and can only be determined by the
circumstances in individual cases. ] treat
ted the Nervousness of usury ms moral
question aside from its criminality as
sin against the laws of men And when
/ stated that it was akin TO theft, it was
plainly indicated that l spoke only of its
extortionary features, and when and only
when, it was carried to an extortonary
extent. And no ingenious mind who
read the clause and the explanatory Illus
tration could possibly construe it other
wise. expressed the opinion that The
legal rate should be fixed at point which
would protect the pecuniary interests OF
the State. And money had better be sent
out of the State than 10 be allowed invests
ment here to the ruin Of those interests;
and that six per cent was the proper basis
of a law having that object in view, but
but not necessarily when framing law
expressly against extortion
There was not clause in my article
what could be construed as a charge Of
guilt against those taking any per cent
whatever not decidedly extortiorary.
Yet knowing these facts he assumes the
air Of offended dignity, and dciies me to
prove that tn, taking of seven per cent
for the use Of money is immoral That
is cool, confess, specially for a new con
vert TO a great moral truth. But the
signs of reformation Notwithstanding, are
truly encouraging and the great excite
meEt caused among certain individuals by
my exposure of the doctrine in question
shows conclusivcly what such reformation
is very much needed to save them from
utter ruin, Would you have supposed
Mr.. Editor, that the simple exposure Of
the abominable principle, that the neces'
sites of the borrower furnish the practi'
cal test to the lender for fixing the ques.
ton Of rates, would have caused such q
violent agitation in the breast OF any in
dividual in New England as that evil
IDENTIFY lid. When such principles be
come SO thoroughly inwrought into thC
very texture of the soul and character
that to expose them gives personal Offence
to the individual, his case is indeed DIES
perate, but not necessarily hopeless. And
l would say to all such, stop momen
and consider how ridiculous your position
is Either openly profess your belief IN th
doctrine and defend it by manly argI'
ment, or renounce and abandon it.
your cause is n Just one, it will prevail
But at all events keep cool. When | tie
3 you that such principles are at varianc
q with the laws of G od and man, don't thin
1 am dealing in personalities and los
= your tempers, mean the principle nj
: you. And tell you gentlemen withou
: meaning any offense that you cannot adoE
n the one in question as your guide in lif
8 and be honored and respected by yo'
o fellow men. Though you ride in chario
l. and revel in luxury, though you dress
s purple and fine linen, you will be desp's'
y by all who know you, He who gradu
i tes the price of service rendered, by Il
b necessities of the receivers instead of &
D. honest actual value Of such service, mt
al be content though he rise in the scale
al IL lie of nt