The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-12-15
COLUMBIA.
Sunday Morning, December l5. 1857.
Rhe ereat Nee,lea Resor,n.


editorial on ''hard times" and we
are glad to perceive that the views
expressed there, are sustained and
endorsed by various leading journals
Of the South. It is needless to tell
any one, who makes the least use OF
his perceptive faculties, that times
are hard. The profits of nearly every
trade are swept away by taxation and
Incidental expenses, and hence the
necessity of adding line upon line,
and precept upon precept, to induce
our people. if possible, to reflect
upon their present condition and fu-
aure prospects. There is q prospect
of pinching want before thousands,
and this prospect is not confined to
those unluxurious Glasses, of whom,
as it is fabled, q French Queen
thought it astonishing. when they
cried for bread, that they should not
eat cake, rather than starve. The
grim spectre of starvation, as we and
many of our fellow-citizens know, is
no stranger in circles of refinement
and culture. Many spoiled favorite
OF fortune, to whom sumptuous liv-
ing and the indulgence of expensive
tastes have become second nature,
Is forced to contemplate the neces-
sity of coming down, and adjusting
the scale of this attainable want to
the standard of the strictest modera-
aion. No other victims of the "hard
times" are, perhaps, subjected to
more terrible ordeal, than the people
of this class, who are numerous in
QUIZ, Southern States. No act is more
delicate than that of coming down
with dignity and grace; and no phi
Bosopby more difficult than that of
starving acquired appetites, and re.
nonncing luxurious superfuities,
without bitterness and vain repining.
It is true, rs the New Orleans Cres-
cent says, that this picture is not
exclusively applicable to any particu-
BAR section; but, as we have remarked
IN former articles, and with which
our contemporary agrees, that the
South is where it may be seen in its
most som re colors. Here the agri-
eulturist has been equally disappoint-
ed with the merchant. Here the
calamity of short crop of cotton is
aggravated by an almost simultane-
Gus fall in price; here labor has been
inefficient and disorganized, and
threatens to become more so here
after. Under these disheartening
circumstances, it is surprising that
people should be found persisting in
though tless habits of extravaganza.
There can be but few who can afford
( profuse expenditure in amusement,
in dressing and feasting. But. put
hing aside these exceptions, the situa-
tion is one that demands, upon the
part of the mass of our people, the
ipractice of thoughtful and systematic
economy, as both n public aud pri-
vate. duty. One of the first requi-
sites to the discharge of such a duty
is moral courage If that once con-
quers, oil the rest is easy.
One of the greatest hindrances to
the much-needed yeform in personal
and household economy, is generally
attributed to the extrnvagance of the
female members of family. But,
admitting that to be fact, is not
much blame to be attached to the
male hedd of n family. in not enjoin-
ing the strictest economy upon his
wife and daughters? He may expect
that the vague illusions which may
be made in their presence to pecu-
mary troubles and embarrassments
should be sufficient; bnt such allu-
sions are generally misunderstood,
and, even when they are perfectly