New-York tribune., 1878-12-31
unn 10 CLOSE TIL WE.

school girls and sophomore, ana that iarg"
class of gray headed young people who carry
the brains and habits at their caiiow days on
into old age, are apt 20 occupy to-day with
q sentimental review Of the past aud solemn
resolves for the future. 1t is part OF the yearly
business with them to go through the emo
lions suited to each season. They VIII
buy diary this morning and lay
down moral or religious rules OF conduct
for themselves to begin Tomorrow, with the
most honest intentions in the world. In q
week the diary aud the moral rules will be
forgotten but the honest intention Is healthy.
and will h we it's effect. alust of the reader,
of The TRIBUNE, however have long ago
given up the practice of emotional efrvc,-
ccnce at stated times they have found out
iIlat one sound bit Of practical work i, Of more
value in forming character than dozen good
resolutions.
But even TO these this last day of the year
is full of hints and opportunities. They come
first in the shape of bills. The whole COM
mercial system III this country is based on
credit more than in any other country in the
world It is the rule with the American
to trust in great ~ in little. A man with
fair reputation and plenty Of impudcnce
can open an extensive business on absolutely
fictitious capital and the washcrWOman
has her greasy pass-bOOk at the corner grocery.
There are probably very few men in this city
(and those few, we su5pec., of Scotch desccnO
to whom 10 lean yellow envelopes will come
this morning as u reminder of this universal
rotten miserable system. II is part, and was
a necessary part, of the universal GUS
tom Of extravaganza which five years ago
was a National Characteristic, but of which
the hard times have partially cured us.
During the last five years the American
has learned to economic; not like his French
or Scotch brother, but still with heartiness
and thOroughneSs which have done much to
pull us out of the slough If in addition to
tins he could give up the credit system, as
far as practicable, the Nation might hope not
only to get its legs again, but to stand on them
Readers of The TRIBUNE cannot DO much,
perhaps, to further this good end, but they
can do something. Pay your debts as far as
yOu can this morning; let the New Years
gifts wait for what is left, if anything, in
your purse. Begin at the little bills ten
dollars cOunt for more of happiness of
health, of life itself to the laundress
or Door cObbler than thousand TO the banker
round tie corner. Cross off your score once
and for all ON weekly accounts, abolish pass
books in the kitchen, pay your wifes bill at
StewaIts and Tilany's. Start the family
machinery Tomorrow with cash for the motive
power, and see how much more smoothly
and strongly it will run through 1879. Ii
is astonishing how easy it is to do without
laces, iewelry or even groceries and meat
when you have TO pay cash for them, aud
how thcy are absolute necessities when they
can be charged.
There are other debts which ought to bC
paid, and this last day of the year is better
time, perhaps, than any-little acts of neigh
bOrly help, which cost no money, but which
are priceless in value. We are all apt to for.
get that influence and social position ak