Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-02-02
Farmers Promises.

Other classes of business men have
dclinquencies and shortcomings as
well MS farmers. But our efforts are
confined mostly to elevatiny our
own branch of industry. But wheth-
er exposing their tailings and plead
ing for reformation will effect our
object is questionable. In the null
tiplicity Of business, credit has to be
used. We wish it were otherwise.
But all men do not fully comprehend
the iull import OF credit. When a.
man gives his note for the payment
OF debt, he pledges his property.
his word OF honor, and his character.
In commercial circles it is so regard
ed and practiced. If a man fails to
meet his note at maturity, he is pub
lished as suspended-failed.
But there are various honorable
ways Tor man TO meet his obliga-
tons and preserve his reputation
by satisfactory renewal-by partial
pay ment and renewal for the bal
ance, by various mutual arrange
ments, by which the debtor and cred
itor still recognize each other..as hon
orable men and friends. This sub,
ject is peculiarly Appropriate tor con
>idera'lon just at this pinchlng perl
cd, and we should have all men ex-
haust the st resources of their abil
ily to make such arrangements rs
will, if possible, satisfy their cre,li
tors. All debts cannot be fully paid
at maturity, but if the debtor, when
his note falls due, neither pays nor
makes an effort to arrange the mat
ter satisfactorily with his creditor,
he has not the true notions Of honor
which should characterize all men.
No nan should have an overdue
note hanging over him. It is the
living evidence of a violated prom
Use and forfeited honor.
Too MANY men have so poor an
estimate of their pledged faith that
they pay no attention 20 a maturing
note, or disregard with reckless i'm
punity their promise to pay GER
tain obligatians. When such state
of morals become prevalent in a com
muni,y, it is Il lamcnt.ble condition
OF affairs. 1t lis Il sad drawback to
pr sperity IN trade and entcrprisr.-
Men who have money, and which
could be proti,ably used, alarmed
for the safety of their means refuse
to loan it where the sacrednesS of
obligations are SO little regar.led.-
Capital will not come III for invest
ment, except it be on such terms rs
will recompcnse for the laws delays
and the expense of litigation. 1t is
this looseness of morals relative to
legal obligations that induces capt.
alists to ask ten or fifteen per cent.
in loaning to our farmers when they
cannot get over six per cent. in the
great commercial centers. And it
will ever be thus until the farmers
recognize the sacred obligations Of
contracts and meet them at all haz-
ards and at any sacrifice when due.
1t is not necessary that every debt
should be fully paid, bu, if they are
satisfactorily arranged 10y the mutual
action OF both parties business would
soon revive, confidence would be re-
established, and the idle money
which is boarded up would flow in
upon us.
Now, at the commencement OF the
new year, let ever! one do his part
in rebuilding confidence and rcstor-
ing prosperity. Seek ut the earliest
hour possible all of your creditors,
and make an homes, effort to arrange
satisfactorily all obligations. Then
try to live up to them. If fortune
frowns, or sickness or disaster de-
ranges, rs it does often derange all
human calculations, go rs All honest
man and explain. Let no circnm-
stance tempt to prcvarication. No
one can control the elements or the
seasons, hut all men can he honest.
Providence hides from man the
future, but he permits him at all
times to stand perpendicular amid
all storms and temptations. BE hon
est and your conSclence shall com
fort you.-Stote Register.