Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-01-28
Sound Sense Values Before and Since
the War.

Ii is disagrceable to us to tell oul
readers that they have not nearly as
much value in property as they think
they have. We wish that the fac
was otherwise, but it is OR office t
state things as they are, rLther thar
as we wish them to be.
We estimate values upon the lega
! tenter, rather than the coin standard
and are not mindful that there is full
one third difference in these meas
ures Of values. Then we forgot t
take into the account that the infia-
ton Of the currency has put it into
the power of spectators to unduly
enha nee values, by creating an ar
tficial demand for property, and by
monopolizing the supply. Then we
forget that the Government has 6
mortgage upon our property tor the
payment at the National debt, equa
to one seventh Of its value end that
in addition to this there is further
incumbrencc for municipal and State
indebtedness, which will augment
the public charges upon our property
to nearly twenty sve per cent, OF
ono fourth Of what it is worth.
The idea that the country has
grown richer during the war is siml'
~ absurd, and the quicker the people
are brought to appreciate the real
condition Of things the better. The
allegation that one million of men,
for near four years were withdrawn
from the producing classes, and en-
ployed not only in consuming pro-
duets, but in destroying them, add in
impairing the capacity Of the coun~
try produce, without impoverishing
the country, is too monstrous for be
lief. The men and the capital en-
ployed during the war in providing
materials OF war and supplies for It's
prosecution, contributed little to adj
vance the material wealth Of the na>
ton, for these were expended in the
war, or left on hand and of little
value at it's conclusion.
The facts is, we have simply "mark
ed up our goods" and based our
wealth upon the advanced price. To
sustain this price we must stop pro-
ducing. But then we shall soon eat
out our substance. This will not
do. What then? This is a secret
worth knowing and acting upon
We will impart it to our readers.
First, discard all those panac eas
which demagogues propose as sudden
and complete remedies for the evils
of the time, aud take to labor and
economy. See to it that public affairs
are administered upon just principles;
that peace is thoroughly established,
and the productive industry of the
country is every where encouraged
and developed to its utmost capacity.
If the nation. with one mind, should
will it, our exports might be doubled,
the balance of trade could be turned
in our favor in single year, and
from this source alone, in the course
of a comparatively few years, we
could pay our national debt. But
we cannot attain this result unless
we economist in our practices and en-
ergies and industry. Increase our
labor, enlarge the intelligence by
which it is directed, increase our pro-
auctions in quantity and kind, en-
large the fields of our commerce, and
open new markets for our commod-
tiles, economist in our expenditures,
and bring the consumer and producer
in closer proximity, and utilize our
resources by liberating a large nuns
Der of middle>men TO become produ-
GERS, and then by outstanding all the
resources of Dational wealth, we can
show that we are not only equal, but
superior, to all the emergencies which
are upon US.
The times are flushed. but not
with health. 1t is the hectic flush
which evinceS disorder that we see,
and it remains to be seen whether
there is virtue enough in the people
to apply the only legitimate remidies
to eradicate the disease.
We advise our readers to pay their
outstanding debts, to be careful how
they contract new engagements, to
try small stocks, to sell for cash, or
upon short credits, and to be content
with small profits and quick returns.
Not to engage in large speculations
unless they expect to realize upon
them at once, and to proceed in their
business with caution, keeping pace
with the times in the way down to
the specie standard of values. But
above ALL let what will come, avoid
erything else.-Proridence Journal.