The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-12-21
THE TIMES AND WHAT OF THEM.

1hE 11mES AMI VuAA VT AhEAs
MEssRs. Epiroas: All peoples in all
ages have complained of the times, often
5lstls so, bufEoftener, perhaps, without
any foundation in fact. That class of
society whom some cause, most probably
Iieir own lack of.thrift and proper judg-
ment, has destined them to remain al
ways in INDECENT circumstances, are ever
complaining, and attribute their misfor-
tune too frequently to some public ca.
lumity, or oppression by those who man
age the ship Of State; but-wlen in-times
like these the cry comes from every class
and from every quarter in the land, we
begin to conclude that there is more
truth than habit in it, and see that some
thing speedy and effective must be resor-
ted to which will turn aside the disas
trous climax which is so imminent.
This bad state of affairs is traceable
to some source, or is the result of various
causes combined. The Sphynx in the
highways demands an answer to her rid
die, but it is hoped that every patriotic
adventurer who attempts the solution
may solve the mystery without being de-
voured.
During the eight years Of misgoyern-
ment under which we have struggled for
a footing, a gradual decline in all the
industries is evident, and few years
more Of tyrannical rule would end in
general bankruptcy and reputation.
1t could not logically be otherwise. In
deed, this state of things has gone on
until a general feelingof insecurity, both
of life and property, is felt everywhere.
But the people have wisely corrected
this evil of misgovernment byplacing in
Office men whose characters and love of
country are sure guarantee that the
public burden will be lightencd, and the
public veal promoted. Again, there is
wide, field for reform in our domestic
or private concerns which is mainly ap-
plicable to the farming community, for
agriculture is the cornerstone, as it
were, to the whole industrial fabric. 1t
is true that all the avocations are neces-
sary to the well-being of each other, but
it cannot be denied that they all have
common dependence on the tilling of the
spil. -
Exclusive cotton growing and its at
tendant ills are q prolific source of the
present straits of the farmer. At the
close of the late war the impoverished
condition of things suggested immediate
recuperation, and the most remuneratiye
crop was the one to monopolize in Sc
curing the end in view. Cotton at that
time commanding an unprecedented high
price, the farmers engaged at once in the
growing of this staple, to the exclusion
almost of all other crops; but with the
decline. in the value of cotton, and the
introduction of commercial fertilizers,
our farmers should have ceased planting
all cotton, and given their attention to
diversified crops. When we consider the
present value of cotton and the price of
the guano necessary to grow it, we readi-
ly see that there is no profit in it, when
nearly half the crop is required to dis
charge the guano bill.
Again, it takes only the simplest rea.
soning to convince one that to grow cot
ton exclusively, with the proceeds of
which to. buy supplies. is a dangerous
policy. If the cash system, which was
so successfully established at the close of
the war, had been continued, the farmers,
as we'll as the merchants, would be more
prosperous to-day. Some persons charge
the merchants, in certain degree, re-
sponsible for the tightness of the times;
but this is mistaken notion, for the
exigencies of the times, as we'll as the
wholesome effect of competition has mar
rowed merchandising down to science
short profits.
The times are hard indeed. The pros
pect for the incoming year is truly dis
piriting. Our people stand encompassed
by multitude of evils, for which in the
main they themselves are responsible.
Intemperance spreads its baleful effects
throughout the whole land, and hovers,
like the demon of death it is, over many
a once happy home. Personal honor
and moral courage are comparatively
unknown; and worst of all, holy religion
Gibbs from cut the hearts of many who
professed to enjoy its benign influence.
These melancholy facts are appalling
to all who love law, and order, and de-
cency, and the Christian religion. But
with assurances of radical reform in
politics, a material bettering of the in
dustrial status, and divine interposition
in behalf of social interests, let US all
work faithfully for the speedy dawn Of
better days. w. A. ID.
To7rnr;Ue s. G =