The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-04-18
Returning Prosperit y.

GRADUALLY our little town Is emerging from
the stagnant condition. to which it was reduced
by the calamities Of war, and we zee each
day renewed indications Of q revival OF bust
ness in its various departments. History
olated by war, recuperated with far greater ra
pidity than the mhabitants believed possible,
under the most favorable condition Of circum
stances; and the Southern country is now
verifying, to a considerable extent, the truth Of
history E this particular. If we can oRly have
stability Of Government and wholesome laws
and regulations, (the point to which all eyes
are now turned with fearful interest) the South,
wrecked AMI ravished as she has been, will re.
cover from her disasters in far less time than
we can now well imagine. No resident Of our
Village would have belle we'd, on the lst day OF
May, 1865, than in less than twelve months,
there would lie as many stores here as there
were before the war and yet such is the fact,
and all OF them seem to be doing fair, and
some OF them, quite an active business. 1t is
true that The number OF stores in place is not
a safe criterion OF its prosperity, as this bust.
ness is frequently over done but whero the
stores are supported, i; is evidence that there
is substance in the country.
1t would be gratifying to see other branches
of business particularly the labor Of mechan,
les. expand in equal proportion with the bust.
ness OF merchandising, We need steady, skill.
iul, and industrious mechanics for they con.
tribute more than any other class to the grow tn
and prosperity Of place. Our old mechanics
should bes,ir themselves, and our unemployed
young men should acquire useiul trades. as the
time is coninS when the business in this coun-
try will pay and If our people will not avail
themselves Of the opportunity to make living
in this way, they must expect to be superseded
by more enterprsing material from other
quarters. word to the wise ia sufficient
There arc sundry openings here.now, which
many young men would do well 10 take ad van
tage Of We have no shoemaker in the place
wee many skilled shoe-makers in the country
during the war. None need be deferred from
Learning trades and engaging in mechanical
pursuits from fear that it will not pay. Manual
labor vii! always pay when properly directed
We have never seen it fail Far less depends
upon the business than upon the man. so.
brietv, energy and perseverance will always
succeed. 1t is better than capital better than
genius, and is bound to res ult in the establish,
Inent o: character and independence. The
notion, unfortunately 30 common in ous; coun-
try, that manual labor Is less respectable than
other caiiings, is the offspring Of toad yism, and
IS not cOuntenanced by men Of Intelligence
The mechanic who deports himself properly
will be respected by all whose good opinions
are worth having, and in the end he will com
mand the respect Of all classes and conditions
of society. Let all young men who have a
weakness on this point think OF the bright ey.
amples of Fulton, Of Whitner and Of our noble
President, Andrew Johnson, and resolve to EN-
ulate them. All cannot expect to become dis.
tinguished, but all rho are piiiing to work can
make a respectable living, and that is the great
desidera!un Of the present day.