The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-17
Are Better Times Near?

Are beJLSI l1iiSS ASSe&i
The United States has been a long time
detained in the wilderness OF trouble ant
oppression Hope long deferred has made
\ people about rs Sick Of their condition rs
ever people were. The circumstances o.
the times have been pecu'iar-some OF thcn
the like Of which has never been known
Civil wars are ever destructive, peculiarly
so, But our civil strife was attended py
circumstances that never have accompahle"
q civil war in any other land, ana proo"o's
pever will. African slavery had its slngu-
lsritjcs that afflicted the land Win i"!"i.
and trouble in many ways that nave neipe'.
ca ;rcrease the national embarrassment ana
- nro)onc the period Of national detenllon
IN tho wilderness Of sorrow and disaster.
Nevertheless it is not possible that tins ae-
t.n;ion can endure. We must be set Tree,
and reasons and signs, we believe, now JUS
tify the hope and belief that we cannot pe
held back any great while longer. All great
wars are followed in the countries where
they are fought and in the countries that
are party to them first by period OF IN
tiat;on and speculation, and second by sue
ceed;nc period OF rcvuiSion and disaster.
Ruin falls upon multitudcs, property Is
forced 10 sale. values decline. and slrinkaSes
pilc M disaster, and loss Of credit and con-
tiaencc produce and prolong stagnatlon IN
business and all the pursuits OF life.
The sectional jealou>ies OF the country
and the exercise OF unauthorized Federal
authority TO persecutc the South fearfulty
ynxed the land, and impaired the energy
and retarded the recovery OF all sections.
II has been one OF the most fortunate
things Tor the nation tina. could happen that
President HAYES determined that his ad-
ministration should mark the change for
the better in the rclstionS between the
States and the Federal Government. I'M
meGiatcly after the beginning, his policy ior
restoring local self-govcrnment to the States
the genial effect upon the public mind was
seen. This policy being inauSurated so
soon after the presidential campaign, with
lis balrful acitations, was hailed with all the
more satisfaction by the public. and its good
effects were all the more readily wrought.
II NAV be assumed that the time required
Tor the passage OF the country through the
financial consequences OF the domestic
strife, with lis peculiar attendant circum-
stances, had occurred and that this policy
OF the Federal Government was most pro
pitiors, coming Just 1T the iuncture when
the country was about to begin its upward
movement upon the rc1lueHt tide OF reco-
very from the period OF disaster and stagna-
ton in all pursuits. Itwould certainly help
the influences that tended towards the ma
tional recupcration.
we have been gratitied ut the absence OF
all signs OF impulsivenesS and all evidences
of anv disturbance OF the public balance.
This but gives assurance OF the steaulhess
OF The recovery which has begun. Ihere
is no wildncss and 1lightinesS about 1t. Inc
nation had evidently been too we'll schooied
by adversely to become enthused by sudden
emotions. Ii was chastened and sooered
by affection. 1t had descended to the
.shard pan " of misfortune, and Is contentto
rise slowly and cautiously to that PROMISED
better and more salutary and contented con-
dition. : ~. $50 <.:a;.s '"
The good crops OF the present year are
another happy auxiliary OF the favorable
causes that promise to help the nation out
OF its long suffering. :.
Congress soon meets, and should 1t be
roycrned by wisdom and devote itself earn
esi!y 70 the public good, the present year
may bring us to the boundary OF the will
dcrncss, and we may look out upon the
plain in which we may soon rest ana re-
coverfrom the prostration which years OF
trouble have brought upon US. ..a ..l,.
Webeliere that il Congress will strengthen
the specie basis OF the national currency by
remonetizing silver it will give new life TO
all business and industry; and, double me
ENTERPRISE of the country at this acceptable
time. We regard that measure now as the
ost'important for the nation that IS I'M
der contemplation. 1t will do more
to restore confidence and give tone to
healthy energy than anything else can.
With that measure accomplished the effort
at specie-paymcnts will be freed from peril,
and two wears will find the country in the
posSession of well-regulated industry,
with a reasonable prosperity, al assured
neace. and that contentnaent which freedom
from apprehension. abundant occupation,
and fair compensation for labor are sure to
bring to \ people. ~"