The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-02-09

Everywhere VIC hear Of hard times
and general stagnation Of business, and
with the complaints there is also coup
led the inquiry, why is IL 50 aud what is
to be the remedy 7 The New York E.
press, whose principal editor is an inhu
entail member of Congress, furnished
in late issue of his paper the following
views GU the subject
From one end of this vast and pro.
ductive country to the other the com.
plsint is general that business is stag.
nant beyond all precedent. There are
but few branches Of trade at the present
that arc conducted with satisfaction or
profit. The productions of the country
have been good the past year; the
markets have been active, though low
aud every one would naturally suppose
that money would be abundant, aud all
branches of manufacture aud mercantile
business lively and prosperous. Such,
however, is not the case, and but few
can solve the enigma of depression.
The real trouble originates with the
Government. The immense amounts
drawn from the people in the way Of
internal and dutiablc revenue are dc.
stroyiug business more eifectually than
it could be done in any other way.
No country can stand the drain from its
active capital that we are subject to.
MIR. Boutwell, may flaunt his ruinous
policy in the face of the people in re-
gard to the reduction of the debt; il
may be, as Ksop says, "sport to him."
but it is death to thrift aud prosperity.
Look at the figures. Since the 4th of
March, 1869, the Government has pur
chased s195, 590,750 of 3 and G per
cent bonds, aud has paid therefor $751;.
29S,22l in currency Decrease of debt
since March /, 1870, sl06, 260, 6s3.
Suppose this amount Of money had been
lett in the hands Of the people, where
it would have been worth from s to 10
per cent per arnum interest, instead of
paying it when it was earning but 3 aud
per cent. A dfferenc. of 3 per cent.
between its worth 10 the hands of bust
ness and labor aud in the hands of the
Government would amount to S5,6lS..
946 per annum. If the amount paid by
the Government on its debts had been
applied to the construction Of railroads.
those great levers Of development, wealth
aud prosperity, it would have complet.
ed, at SAC, 900 per mile, the average
cost OF roads, 4,6S2 miles. If, us is
said, one mile Of road opens up fifteen
miles Of country on each side, the 1852
miles would have opened about 1870 900
square miles, territory larger than
Great Britain. 4,6S2 miles of road.
well equipped and 10 active operation,
would add materially to our prosperity
and wealth. The writer of this, when
just entering upon the stage of active
life, in conversation with a very
shrewd and cousiderate politician ocen
plying prominent political position in
the State, a'ked why it was General
Jackson was so popular with all classes,
and his administration so wellsupportcd
lis answer was prompt and decisive
that his administration promoted the
business and aided the LABOR, aud veal, h.
aud prosperity OF the country, aud the
people will stand by him" The differ
ence between then and now, as regards
government aud business, is too mark
ed not 10 he noticed aud coutrasted
Our prosperity aud increase now are
wonderful, but il the public finances
were managed for the many instead Of
the fcw--if business was encouraged
aud aided as it should be, indirectly, by
the Government, our prosperity every
year would be vastly enhanced. $40.
100000 is enough to apply to the prin
cipal OF the debt annually. Leave to
posterity and to an increased valuation
aud wealth as it accumulates, part of
the great burden which we have so res.
olutel y, and so willingly borne. While
the General Government is paying its
00,000,000 per annum of our debt,
every State, and county, and town, aud
city in the Union is also paying large
percentages every year on its war debt,
an amount even larger than that paid
by the General Government The strain
is too great-its pressure too heavy and
unnecessary, and unless stopped, bust
ness embarrassments must inevitably
increase.
The New York Tribune notes the
cry Of "hard times" aud truthfully
attributes the cause, primarily, to the
fact that too large share Of our people
are trying to live by something else
than productive industry. Other indu.
cnces contribute, it says, but this is far
more potent than the whole of them.
We are fast becoming nation OF
schemers to live without work. Our
boys are not learning trades, our farmers
sons are crowdiug into cities, looking
for clerkships and petty Offices hardly
one American girl 10 each hundred will
do Homework for wages, however urgent
her need ; so we are sending to Europe
for workmen and buying of her millions
worth of products that we ought to make
for ourselves. There can be no doubt that
our boys aud girls must be taught to
love labor, by qualifying themselves to
do it efficiently, five wonld better mat
tiers 10 tie future at all.
The Stanton (Va) Vindicator, of
recent date, complains very much of
hard times in that vicinity, aud the
scarcity of money. 1t argues that "the
cause and its remedy is or should be
plain to every one. Any community
which expends more for the commodi.