The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-12-23
Hard Times.

the Valley TO economic, TO place q niSicr val
lie OIL money. to ask and give less credit, and
live strictly within their means. This implies
a change in the method of doing business
breaking up the old loose ways OF buying and
selling, and more careful regard fer the rights
of individuals. Credit has been substantially
run i'll the ground. 1t has been so outrageous
ly abused, that business men find it is more
profitable to transact half the amount OF trade
in cash or OH short credit to prompt customers,
than to sell double the quantity OF goods, on
indefinite time, 1t is this latter kind of barter
that has given the appearance of great activity
in business circles, but when pay day comes
around, as iG is always certain to do. the
s:shorts'' are so numerous that even the best
of our men feel the pressure. Men purchased
what they dill not really want, or ut least were
unable to pay for, just because they could get
credit, and somebody bad to lose. 1t was trade
without substantial basis, and sooner or later
this kind OF business must collapse.
We believe that there is as much money, or
the available representative of money. in the
Valley Of Virginia, us there has been at any
time since the war. We have more of the sta
pie products of the farm in the hands of the
there is as much real money in the hands of
prudent men as there is usually; but it is held
closer, is valued higher. and is not so easily
drawn out. Confidence is scarce, and properly
so, for there has been SO much deception, so
much fast living so much buying when there
was nothing to pay, and disposition to live
without honest work, that men of property
have become more eireumSpect and serItigizing
in their transactions,
We regard this condition of things as the
most encouraging feature OF the times. 1t
promises Il retHrn to healthy business prlnc-
plies. And while the kiters and Adventures
who have had good time of it in trading OIL
what they never posseseu-stbstantia capital
are soin. by the board, and business has the
appearance of being somewhat unsettled, it is
for the BEST Community will not suffer in the
long ruin. Business will settle down upon a
good basis, and from this build up. In the
process of readjlsting values in consequence
of this change in the method Of traffic seemls;
over this. 1t is as certain to come as effect
follows cause But when the false notions
| that have obtained in business are corrected
by the stern logic of experience, the lesson
learned will be invaluable in future tsansac-
tions-the best capital a man can have.
There is really nothing to discourage men of
industry and economy. Stagnaton does not
mean paralysis. 1t only means the reaction
from an excess, and all excuses must have
their reactions. The country has been OH a
big business drunk, and it is going through the
process of getting sober. The difficulty is
measured by the extent of the dissipation
One thing to guard against is not to get drunk
again, and have the same ordeal to endure
Let every thing get in.o rational condition
business rest on values, and purchases graged
by ability to pay, and prosperity will spread her
bright smile where gloom is settling. Our peo-
pie and section cannot be kept dowr. They
have the energy, the tact, and She soil to COM
mard success. All they want is safe founda-
ton to start from-wise rules and principles of
business to govern, and the s'winter of our
discomfort will be in the deep bosom of the
ocean buried,'' CHEEKY future will follow and
all go along as merry as marriage bells''
The Dispatch publishes the written opinions
OF Reys. A. C. Bledsoe, HI. C.. Cheatham, P.
A. Peterson and j. j. Lafferty, on Bishop
Hayen's ssthird term" declarations. They are
all Of the Southern Methodist church, and it is
lamentable to think how easily they have been
seduced into the political arena, for the nero
privilege of getting before the public in role
so utterly inconsistent with theis sacred call
ing. When they 60 into politics, they simply
represent their individual opinions, or adyer-
tise themselves as ambitious of !, notorietY OF
doubtful propriety. In the pupit, they are
presumed to be ambassadors OF Christ. but the
relation they assume to the public in tn ir po-
litieal attitude, seriously mars the beauty of the
character that should represent the minis
ter OF the Gospel. They try to do double SER
vice in worshipiRg God and BaaI. and can only
in charity excite the pity Of the public for the.
weakness.
Bishop I4afferty directs his batteries against
the church property tag. but shoots wild. lie
had better take deliberate aim hereafter, and
not go off half cooked. Eempcr might assist
him. qH4
The Whig mentions that some restless Vir-
ginia politicians are in favor of dropping the
term Conservative. and hosting the old Dem-
ecratic flag, and advises cautiously, to g let
well enough alone" 1t would be entirely ap-
propriate to make the change. It was first
''True Republican, and an endorsement OF
fNro, rs al, q.
position got power. Then it was 'sConscryatiyeN