Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-12-18

of the Young Mems Hebrew sssocia-
citation Sunday evening, on the Rise
and Progress OF the Mercantile Pre-
fession." He said that in past ages
one would not have spoken of the
professor of the merchant Tbs in
vention of the mariners compass. the
doubling of the Cape of Good Hope,
the discovery of America, the inven-
ton of steamboats,, railways, asd tel
egraphy are events which have had
more influence on the material pros
perity of mankind than any recorded
In history. In ancient times, when
nations were still barbaroas, mer-
chants were held in low esteem. We
are told, for instance, that both in an,
cient Egypt and Hiudostan the whole
body of the people were divided into
different casts or tribes, each of which
was confined from father TO sen, par
ticular employment or class Of en-
ployments. In both countries the
caste of the priests held the highest
rank. that of the soldier next, aud in
both countries the caste of the farm
ers and laborers was superior to the
caste of the merchants and manufac-
turers. Historically speaking, Egypt
was the earliest commercial nation, as
well as the first in arts letters, and
civilization. Their dominant caste,
he priests feared the spirit of liberty
which the commercial contact
with all of the foreign nations al
ways engenders and encouraged the
cultivation of the soil, while they
frowned upon the enterprise
of thel trades and ma nufacturer
The inrosds of the Arabs, and the
later of the Romans, broke the bars
forged by the priests. Tlen the
Egyptians became traders, and for
many years enjoyed Successful mer
camille career. Sodom, founded 1900
years before the Christian era, for up
ward of six centuries ruled the world
through her commerce, and was fol-
lowed by Tyre in glorious career Of
trade. Carthage, for many years the
formidable rival OF Rome, had the
sinews of strength in commerce. She
fought her battles with mercenary
soldiers, while her own citizens heap
ed up treasures by their industry and
mercantile enterprise. In the ancient
Greek republics commerce was deem
ed ignoole. The laws of Lycurgus
prescribed it as tending to inequality
of wealth; nor did the system OF
Scion give encouragement to trade.
From contact with Asia the cultiva-
ton of commerce in Greece began.
Corinth and the Greek colony of
Syracuse became extremely rich from
their commerce. There is little to be
said of the Romans as COM
mercial people. They regarded it
as an occupation only fit for
slaves and freedmen, and thought
it easier to reap from the industry Of
others than to work themselves. War
and gladiatorial contests were the
naughty Romans only honorable
pastime. Occupations that did not
contribute to conquest were despised.
Her necessities fnall y made her mari
time but her citizens never became
merchants. The crusade contributed
largely to increase the wealth of the
maritime cities of Italy-Genoa, Flor
ence, and Pisa During the twelfth
and thirteenth centuries the foreign
commerce of the world was almost
wholly confined to the Italians. Their
merchants were bankers as well as
traders. They were called the Lom-
bards. In the principal kingdoms OF
France, Spain, and Germany, pro-
ducts and manufactures were inter
changed by means of fairs. A vestige
is still found in places like Leipsic.
In all our great histories we do not
find any record of any transactions
such as we now daily read of. The
people were fewer, their wants fewer,
and necessities of to-day were not
known, or were rare ]uxuries. The
success of the merchants of the United
States and their enterprise stand sec
ond to none. No longer does an un-
just prejudice exclude the merchant
from participation in The affairs of
state. The doors to all nations is open
to the merchant. Charles Sumner
once said: Here in this country
every man is trader The physician
trades his benevolent care; the law
yer trades his ingenious tongue; the
clergyman trades his prayers" Is
deed, it is true the moving power in
modern times is commensurate de. It
dominates everything; it influences
everything. Stocks rise when trade
is good, and stocks fall when it is
stagaant. The happiness and pros
perity of all mankind are affected by
It: it is the pulse beat by which the
welfare of the nation is measured.
The interests of the merchant sway
kings to war and peace. OF all voca-
tions that of the merchant is now the
most extensive, enlisting in its service
the vast majority of civilized mea,
and rendering oftantimes the other
professions Its dependent stipendiar-
les. Indeed. from the most despised
occupations in former days it has ris-
en- to the foremost in power, useful
ness and influence. In the words of
Hallel: "The stone which the build
ers rejected is becoming the corner
head stone"