The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-02-01
From the Richmond Religious Herald.
Ee,,1.;Eiutiono OF Deb.s.

We propose to consider this subject not in
IFS political or party, but in its moral aspects.
Of the funding bill we know but little, and
shall sav nothing. Whether it is q wise
financial measure, is question which we
leave to ic decided ~ those on whom rests
The wcieitv responsibility Of its decision.
The olli~a;ion to pag debts, private and
public, Is L sui cct which co,Gcs fairly within
the u;!.yicy; O. ul- religious edltorShlp.
!.Re!l,icr 10 all their duca-o|Yc no man
any,tiinr but 10 love Ole anptAcr.' Is the
dictate q divine revelation, 10 tie e!Cclda-
zion uni enforcement Ct which our columns
are appropriately devoted.
SoI..e year, ago We snoHil have deemed
The discussion Of tits sii| .icct q Woik Of ST.
p2rero@ation. Ilc thought Of lrpudiaiine
debts, either private or public, could nave
entered the mind cf 10 respectable Citizen,
except 10 awaken unm:t!Gatcd condemnation
auI profound disgust. We fear, however,
that in these latter years there has been 4
weakening Of that high sense Of justice and
honor which, il former times, made the
promises 81 tie better CLASSES OF Eirglnltn=
a trustworthy IS t!icir bond or their oath.
We need not mention Tic signs ri this detc-
rio,n,iou. We shall be glad TO know that
Others have not discarncd them, and that we
have miscGncciH ed their import.
The causes ot This decay in public molali-
~, if it exist, "a We fear il does, may be
easily traced. Tie loss OF much OF the pro-
portv, without any fault Of its owners, which
was the basis Of all debts contracted before
the war. has led many Intelligent and honest
men to doubt the equity OF their payment,
ut least, in full. Tie compulsory rcpl.tiil-
ton OF debts, by military authority, con-
tn
tiyes Of t!c people, and due almost eiclu-
Siyely 10 the citizens Of the Commonwealth,
has caused others ID feel that there IS little
use in making sa"riiccs to sustain the honor
of the St.tc, which has been already sullied,
or to ply debts to strangers while the dues OF
neigi5ors arc withheld. We can hardly be
surprised that these facts should tend to
weaken the sense Of public obligation to pay
debts and candid minds will find in them
not a vndication but an extenuation CT the
desire for their reputation.
"uoncsty is the best policy" is all old
adage to which we heartily subscribe. Apart
| from its obligations, honesty in individuals
and in communities is the wisest policy. II
secures confidence, and favor, and i'll the end
| success, But We advocate it on higher
ground. 1t is not only sound policy but 9
duty, resting on individuals and on States
enforced by all the solemn sanctions Of reli.
cion. II it were not good policy-as in in
dividual cases, pertaining to this life, it may
not bet would be none the less obligatory
Thieves "-this term comprehendS all claSse:
of men who unjustiy wrest or withhold from
their fellows the property to which they are
cntitled-are classed among those who shal
not inherit the kingdom OF God"
Pricatc dc6ts should be paid. At the close
of the war the country was Frustrated, in
deed desolatcd, and many OF the people were
in debt and without money or the means Of
obtaining it. Among creditor. there was al
almost universal desire to compound with
their debtors on liberal terms. Most Of the
creditors would gladly have received one-hal
the amount Of their claims without interest
during the war, in property Mt it, estimated
value, in full discharge Of the obligations o.
their debtors. The larger part Of them, how
ever, refused to accept these generous terms
some of them hoping, we fe:r, for the entire
Reputation Of their debts. Military author
ity interposed to prevent their collection
State legislation favored the debtor rather
than the creditor. By these means, debtort
were beguiled into the neglect of attempting
to settle their debts; but the day of payment
has at last come. Creditors have been KEEP
out of their rights long enough. Debtors
have been INDUCED and highly favored. II
now only remains that they should discharge
their debts. Honesty, selt-rspect, and tLt
maintenance OF a good reputation, demand
their payment. Every thought Of repudia
ton is unjustress and meanness. Let debtor.
compromise with their creditors if they can
| but If they cannot, let them pay their debt:
to the last cent. Ii they have not the means
OF paving them they should surrender what
property they possess and enter afresh upor
LIES abors with clean hands and cheerful
| hearts. We believe that the payment o
debts will not be such Il calamity as man,
suppose. Creditors have suffered as well a:
debtors. Many suffer in the double relation
of creditor aud debtor. The payment Of ont
debt will, by consequence, in not few cases
he the payment of many. At any rate, thi
debtor who makes an honest effort to d.
Justly by his creditors will have sweet cor
sciousness Of rectitude, freedom, and no
bility, Infinitely TO be preferred to the mos
splendid estate unrighteously withheld from
creditors. Great benefits viii flow from thi
course. Confidence will be restored, bust
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