Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-02-05
ftt 4f&tis ard T4b'rrrs
SATURDAY. ...... FEBRUARY >, 1876

HARD TMEs.-This expression enters
very largely into the daily vocabulary of
the merchant, mechanic, farmer and 9TH
ers engaged in the various pursuits. The
newspapers have been crammed with
lengthy articles wildly pOrtraying scenes
OF poverty among the people. The enor-
nous debts of the states and Of the nation
have been Iearnedly discussed and expan-
ded until the people believe shat a state
of bankruptcy pervades the whole cOun-
try. In the family circle, on the streets
and in the counting room of business es-
tlblishments, "hard times" furnishes a
chronic topic of conversation. Now We
do not deny that there is just cause for
complaint but then we ask do not the
abundant complaints exceed in serious
ness the real state of the case? Further
more, is not much of the stringency in
financial affairs attributable to our own
indiscreetness, in creating and coloring
the impression among others that our af
fairs are in a worse condition than they
really are? The pressure upon men who
have money is so great, by reason of this
Iamentable cry of "hard times" as to de-
mOralize them pecuniarily and thus force
them to place their wealth in iron safes
and bank vaults. The great principle
upon which trade and commerce must be
successfully conducted is faith. 1t is
this same principle of faith which knits
mankind together in mutual intercourse
and as an english writer has said "dis-
tributes the gifts of nature, hnds work
for the poor, adds wealth to the rich, and
magnificence to the great If then this
faith or trust between man and man be
destroyed by impolltic writers and speak
ers who habitually cry "hard times as
if ''their souls in those two words they
did outpour," can it be surprising that
our condition is no better. The skillful
physician when he visits patient endeaY-
ors in the first place to cheer up the in
valid and inspire him with renewed hope;
so the people, if they desire to see the fl
nancial prospects improved, must lay aside
long faces, strike out "hard tines from
their Vocabularies and resolve to assist in
the great work of restoring confidence
and prosperity. Let every man who is in
debt endeavor to liquidate the same and
an amount OF money would be put into ac-
tive circulation that would astonish the
most incredulous. Always "loQk upon
the bright side OF the picture" Our affairs
are bad enough in reality, without max
ing them worse by indulging in fits of
gloom and dependency. The agricultu
raj resources OF our country, coupled with
the energy and enterprise Of our people
must win and our success or failure is in
our own hands. 1t has been very truly
said elf the farmers will continue to SOW
grain and not plant any land in cotton or
tobacco except what they have thorough
ly prepared and can cultivate, though
they have fewer acres, they will have
more abundant crops. The "hard times
will force economy and the cultivator of
the soil Will be compelled to rely upon
his own farm for food and forage, and
not send all his money abroad to purchase
that hich he can raise at home" From
carefully prepared statistics the wealth
Of our country is steadily increasing and
the reason why this fact is not immedi-
ately recognized is because the wealth is
better distributed in the South than it was
before the war. 1t is our opinion if the
farmers will give more of their attention
to raising corn, grain, mules, cattle and
hogs, their difficulties will soon be at an
end and "the panic-makers, who, with
their pockets full of money, are always
crying "hard times" will lose their oc-
cupation," and we will all rejoice when
that day arrives.