The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1861-06-05
OUR DANGER.

a
In the present distracted condition OF
public Affairs. our greatest danger lies
not SO much in the damage our ene'
mics, and The enemies Of our govern
meut may do us. as in the neglect OF
business on the part OF those who
should be earnestly engaged in public
and private enterprises calculated to
develop the resources of our State.
= War, at best, is a scourge which
must and will leave its mark on any
country; not only in regard to its pros
perity. but in the widespread moral
ruin which necessarily follows in its
wake. Our people will not recover
{ from the dissolute effects Of the exist
ing war for years 10 come. even with
the beet endeavors of Christians and
philanthropists to neutralize these un-
fortunate results. aa
But the worst evils of war may be
avoided by any given community where
armies are not in actual hostile commo-
tiou, by due attention to those concerns
which tend to the development OF re-
sources and the Improvement Of society.
Private enterprise and more than usual
care are requisite to this end; and, un-
fortunately. the excitement attending
state of hostilities in our midst. gives a
strong bias to neglect these important
matters. Then. too. prices Of produce
are less than usual. (which, however.
will not be felt SO much in Kansas this
year as elsewhere. owing to the scar
: city caused by last years drouth) and
: the dirth prevails in all kinds of occu-
2pations; which lead to Encouragement
aud then to care'essness and indiffer-
-ence, which must result disastrously to
all concerned.
Every farmer should be unusually
active, and every man of business ex-
ercise uncommon diligence in these
times; and if for the present the pros
pect is gloomy, each should remember
the sunshine comes after the cloud and
he who is prepared for it will reap the
harvest. We hope no one in our State
or county will suffer his affairs TO goI
into anarchy or bis business to be left
1t loose ends and in demorAlized con-
.di.ion. but that every citizen win face
the storm boldly and keep the sails
spread for, the first prosperous breeze
that may come.
If we are careful and economical. IL
strikes us that Kansas will suffer pro
portionally less than any other State
Our people had their misfortune last
year, and the husbandman's toll was
almost in vain. this year our soil mus,
raise bread and provision for our desti
tute people, and We need not expect TO
have a very great abundance to export.
so that We shail not suffer by the fuctu-
alton or depression of outside and
foreign markets Is the older States,
where the cribs and barns and store
houses are full.
How, then. shall We get money to
carry on business This question is
really the only serious one that We
have TO answer. But the solution in
part may be given. that portion of
our soil products will be exported which
will do something to overcome this
want. But as our crops will probably |
be 20 abundant that We shall be able 10
compete successfully with all the world
in furnishing trains and all manner of
through travel. either by employees of
Uncle Sam or otherwise. with provi-
sions, this will be no small item of
help in our present condition. Then
We shall have soldiers in the pay of
the government in our forts and alorg
our borders. who must be fed; and if
We can feed them on rs good terms as
others. We can have the benefit Of that
trade also. z SEA sI'
On the whole. therefore. We need 10
be thankful that our prospects are no
worse. In all the older States business
is At 4 standstill. In our travels lately
We have heard the remark hundred
times that Zines are dead" or eve
have NO times, = and similar expressions {
10 designate the stagnation of business
which everywhere prevails. One-half t
'hs business houses in the cities are J
.ither already closed or are preparing :
o close. Landlords have fallen in their {
'suts from Is TO 50 per cent. and every q
hing is in a corresponding situation.
Only farmers arc busy, and they begin