Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-02-10
NO.. l8.
THE MERCHANT.
Sketch of the Rise and Progress of the
Mercantile Profession.

Mercantile Profession.
Mr.. Godfrey Morse, ex-President of
the Common Council, read an essay
before large audience in the rooms
of the Young Mems Hebrew Associa-.
ton, Sunday evening, on the"Rise and
Progress of the Mercantile Profession. )"
He said that in past ages one would
not have spoken of the profession OF
the merchant. The invention of the
mariners s compass, the doubling of the
Cape of Good Hope, the discovery of
America, the invention of steamboats,,
railways and telegraphy, are events
which have had more influence on the
material gprosperity of mankind than
any recorded in history. In ancient
times, when nations were still barbar-
Gus, merchants were held in low es-
teem.s We are told, for instance, that
both in ancient Egypt and Hindostanl
the whole body of the people were di-
vided into different castles or tribes,
each of which was confined, from
father to son, to particular employ
ment or class of employments. In
both countries the caste of the priests
held the highest rank, that of the SOL
dier next, and in both countries the
caste of the farmers and laborers was
superior to the caste of the merchants
and manufacturers. Historically
speaking, Egypt was the earliest COM
mercial nation, as well as the first I'M
arts, letters and civilization. Their
dominant caste, the priests, feared the
spirit of liberty which the commercial
contact with foreign nations always,
engenders, and encouraged the cultiva-.
ton of the soil, while they frowned
upon the enterprise of the trader and
manufacturer. The inroads of the
Arabs, and later of the Romans, broke
the bars forged by the priests. Then the
Egyptians became traders, and for many
years enjoyed a successful mercantile
career. Sodom, founded TWENTY-FIVE
hundred years before the Christian
era, for upward of six centuries ruled
the world through her commerce, and
was followed by Tyre in a glorious ca
reer of trade. Carthage, for many
years the formidable rival of Rome,
had the sinews of strength in COM
merce. She fought her battles with
mercenary soldiers, while her own citi-
zens heaped up treasures by their in
dustry and mercantile enterprise. In
the ancient Greek republics commerce
was deemed ignoble. The laws of Ly-
curgus prescribed it as tending to ine-
quality of wealth; nor did the system
of Solon give encouragement to trade.
From contact with Asia the cultivation
Of commerce in Greece began. Cor
sinth and the Greek colony of Syracuse
=, 81
merce. There is little to be said OF
the Romans as commercial people.
They regarded it as an occupation only
fit for slaves and freedmen, and
thought it easier to reap from the in
dustry OF others than to work for them
selves. War and gladiatorial contests
were the naughty Romans only hon.
Orable pastime. Occupations that did
not contribute to conquests were de-
spised. Her necessities finally made
her maritime, but her citizens never
became merchants. The crusades
contributed largely to increase the
wealth of the maritime cities of Italy
Genoa, Florence and Pisa. During
the twelfth and thirteenth centuries
the foreign commerce of the world
was almost wholly confined to the
Italians Their merchants were bank
ers as well as traders. They were
called the Lombards In the prin-
cipal kingdoms of France, Spain and
Germany products and manufactures
were interchanged by means of fairs.
A vestige is still found in places like
Leipsic. The Lombards instilled trade
into Germany. England, since the
Portuguese discoveries of the ffteenth
century, has been the commercial mis-
tress of the world, though for long
time after the Importance of commerce
was recognized she neglected this oc-
cupation. In all our histories we do
not find any record of any great trans
actions such as we now daily read of.
The people were fewer, their wants
were fewer, and absolute necessities OF
to-day were not known, or were rare
luxuries. The success of the merchants
of the United States and their enter
prise stand second to none. No longer
does an unjust prejudice exclude the
merchant from participation in the af-
fairs of state. The door to all nations
is open to the merchant. Charles Sum-
ner once said: ''Here in this country
every man is trader. The physician
trades his benevolent care; the lawyer
trades his ingenious tongue; the clergy
man trades his prayers. indeed, it is
true the moving power in modern times
is commerce-trade. It dominates
everything. Stocks rise when trade is
good, and stocks fall when it is stag
nant. The happiness and prosperity
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 vocations that of the
merchants is now the most extensive,
enlisting in its service the vast majority
of civilized men, and rendering often
times the other professions its depend
ent sdpendiaries. Indeed, from the
most despised occupations in former
days, it has risen to the foremost in
power, usefulness and influence. In
the words of Hallel: 1.-The stone which
the builders rejected is become the
corner head stone. Boston Herald.