The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-12-05
HARD TIMEs.

MIR. EUIroR: A few thoughts oil the sub
ject of hard timcs" may not be out Of
place: especially if persons reading them
would govern themselves accordingly"
Who of us do not feel, 10 q greater or less
degree, the pressure of the present hard
times? Indeed so sensibly is this felt that
every one is ready to ask for the cause and
remedy. Various causes, no doubt, are
combined in producing effects so much to
be deplored. Among them we may men
ton, this year, short crops, from natural
causes, rs storms, rust, drought and so on.
In many parts of the County these were so
great as 10 reduce the yields of the cereals
and cotton to one-hulf, or even less. The
decline in the price Of our leading staple.
cotton, is another unexpected cause Of the
financial pressure. With the adjustment of
European troubles, last spring farmers flut-
tered themselves they would realize fair
price for their cotton this fall, but their
hopes have been disappointed. Old debts
contracted under high prices, press also
like mighty incubus upon many, who
find ii hard indeed at preset prices for cot
ton to pay off the same Unreliable labor
comes i'll also for a share in producing hard
times. 1t is sad truth that our labor sys-
tenn is exceedingly defective Among MANY
laborers a common error prevails that six or
eight months in the year is sufficient time
to make good living. Industry, care,
economy and good "holdng on" to work
are at premium.
But there is yet another fruitful cause of
hard times: the yielding to the disposition
common to us all to Juy too much. We
magnify our imaginary wants, and either
greatly strain our credit or deplete unnec-
essarly our purses. Fashion urges to ex-
cesslve purchases, and its dcvctccs sink in
financial ruin. And it were well if the ruin
was confnd to the dcvoiecs; but rarely so.
for they generally drag others with them.
Many men find it exceedingly dfficulA to
Keep their families lin the fashions" Tbey
like all other men, love their wives and
children. and dislike to sec them behind i'm
the latest styles, hence they risk their earthly
all Ill trying to keep them up. Often while
inc ianily reJoiccs over the new, fine goods
just purchased, he whose duty it is to foot
the bill is almost ready to weep over tile
gloomy prospects for funds to do so. Wives
daughters and SOUS, let all foolish fashions
and cXtravagancies so. Let the originators
OF the many foolish styles and fashions
gather as few followers as possible, and soon
they will come TO you for work and bread.
Ladies and gentlemen both, in the full sense
OF those terms, can be ladies and gentlemen
without dancing all their time to the costly
music of fashion. Dress exccsses are fol-
lowed often also by table cxtravaguncics.
IL Is hard for some people to get out of the
way of high, luXuriant living. If how
ever, You make it at home, and don't have
to go i'll debt for it, you may afford to live
well. Again. we say we bug too much Let
every one keep clearly within his income.
ana hard times will spread his wings and
lily away To do this he must live upon
What i,e makes oT produces. Every farmer
should make his own meat and bread, wear
largely, if not altogether clothing made at
home; and, i'll short, have nothing to buy
except salt and iron, and such other articles
as he is unable to make or produce. Let
cotton be the surplus crop-the supplement
OF the farm not the main crop. Above all
things, keep out Of debt, Keep out of debt.
UNUs