Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-10-30
A Shame and Disgrace.

.A
We glory as much as any in the pros
perity wich our people have been able to
exhibit in the midst Of one of the greatest
wars that ever visited civilized country
Nothing like this had been dreamed of by
the instigators of the rebellion, but on the
contrary, they had regaled their own and
the imaginations Of their followers with Wis
ions of wholesalale ruin and bloody bread
riots. This exhibit is equally surprising
and mysterious to the nations of Europe.
not one of which could have so ridden out
crisis of such magnitude. But the world
had need of such certificate to the vitali-
ty and strength of civilization based on
untrameled labor. We rejoice that we have
given it. We rejoice, also, because herein
we have all the resources for keeping up
the contest with unabated vigor until il is
brought to triumphant end, with the coun-
try then all ready for new flight of ma
tional progress in all the arts of peace
Our devotion, our successful devotion to
business, then, is an honor and safeguard
But to avail ourselves of this prosperity,
just at this time, to rush into all manner of
extravaganza and luxury. as if untouched
by the awful realities we have been passing
Though and defiant of all future perils-
this is shame and disgrace.
We are inclined to think, from The ttne
and statement of our contemporaries, that
this sudden development of extravagance
has not reached such degree in New Eng
land as it has elsewhere. But there is too
much of it here. 1t is manifest in our strees,
and it needs but little attention to trace it
spreading through all grades and circles
Equipages, dress, amusements, and the
thousand and one articles of mere luxury,
show, on every hand, not only that liberal
enterprise and taste which properly keep
all branches of business going on in good
condition, but the preponderance of display
and luxury which is always an unwhole-
some sign, and, in great, serious crisis, is
wholly and dangerously wrong. Its imme-
diate evils are very great. Why are all
articles of consumption, now very high.
still rising at such rate as to threaten dis
tress TO countless households 1t is be-
cause-after making all allowances for pa
per money and other things, that have been
urged in explanati ation-the people wiU pay
the erorbitant prices.
The increasing extravaganza has led
them TO that, and the fact orce being found
out, everybody, from the producer to the
consumers mouth. stands ready to cut in
for his share of the extra profits. This is
why al iicles that can be produced even
more cheaply than before the war, have be-
come enhanced often more than hundred
per cent. This is why we find ourselves,
IL &C of Iar
vests, with marked diminution of foreign
demand, paying prices unprecedented, ex-
cept in the worse seasons of scarcity. The
people have educated themselves up to pay
ing exorbi,ant prices, and of course, there
will be general combination to get them.
That is, everybody is calculating upon get
ting rich. The bad effect which this has
upon volunteering-upon gong into the
hard and dangerous service { the country
at $13 per months apparent 10 tie mosr
thonghtless mind.
And now we are called upon to supply
100000 additional recruits to the army
How are we going to do il, and avoid the
rigors of draft, unless there is more self
denial and devotion of goods and estate to
the cause Of the country than is disclosed
by the present aspect of our society? In
fact, man ought TO be ashamed of getting
rich in such crisis, unless a corresponding
share o. his gains is set aside on the altal
of his country. But it is to our yomcr
that we must look or reform in these evil
tendencies of the day. 1t is their influence
tha; is most potential in this matter, and in.
asmuch as they are deprived of other chan
nels of patriotic service, we trust that they
will not fail here.
The heart of our people is sound and we
trust this new danger of luxury is only a
transient attack. growing out of the unex-
pected ease with which we have encounter.
ed extraordinary trials of our situation
Let us hope and believe that the good sense
of the community viii raly-thati !: will be
seen how much yet is 10 be done ere we car
consider The national ordeal past-how many
dangers, military and financial, are still star.
ing US in the face, and what sacrifices may
be necessary to avert them.-BoSton Jour.
\ nal nd HWU
Real ERIESD-A f,iend-a real