The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-07-18
The Times.

IL Is Htb rIiofe moIlcy tldJ tHc country
.wants, but more confidence. There never
has been, in any period Of our history, more
money in the great centres of trade, and
never more stagnatlon in business. And
when it is calmly thought over, there is
nothing strange in it. Excuses are always
followed by reactions in proportion to the
excess. The stimulation Of trade beyond
normal condition. with war volume of
currency, had to be followed, sometime or
other, by a collapse, and that collapse by
prostration which time alone could correct
TO give an illustration more easily under
stood. the country was on big financial
drunk for about eight years, and has been
trying to get sober for the past five years.
She is now about getting to her equilibrium,
and when that is settled and steady, she
will go forward on sober ticket. It is mt
going to cure the matter 10 get drunk
again. We would have to go through the same
process Of reaction and recuperation. We
must stay sober, keep away from unnatural
and irrational stimulants, live upon substan-
tials, get our muscles and nerves all O. K,
and build upon a solid foundation. That
kind of growth will stick: 1t cannot
be accomplished by spasm, nor, ordinarily
can fellow get sober as quick as he gets
drunk. Patience has to play a part, conf
dence be superinduced, and firm resolve to
keep steady upon a genuine ground work.
We must have rules Of trade as we have
rules of health and sobriety, and the safe
rule OF trade is to recognize substantial
standard of values, and square all transac-
tons by it, just as we expect good health
from good habits. We can no more have
substantial prosperity from butterfly excite
ment in business, and make-believe money
making, than we can expect vigorous consti
tutions and healthy organic life. by con-
stant strain upon the nerve power Of the hui
man system. They both have their penal
ties as memorable as fate, and no one who
INDUCES to excess can escape the effect.
We are confident in the belief that the
country has reached its equilibrium, and
that permanent and healthy revival Of
business is about to be inaugurated. The
government is about to resume specie pay
ments, the first important step in establish
ing the standard Of values; factories and
furnaces are commencing operations; trade
of all kinds is improving; the railroads are
doing large and increasing business; stocks
of all kinds are going up, and fresh hope in
spires the people. With all industrial opera
tons square to the standard implied in the
resumption OF specie payments by the gov
eminent, we may look forward to steady
and healthy growth in all business; a reas-
onably active Interchange of commodities
moderate activity in real estate, with pri-
ces corresponding with intrinsic values; and
a good time generally.
To make this condition more assured,
grumbling should cease. lizard times" has
become such stereotyped expression,
that men with balances to their credit in
bank, without "a cent of debt, and really
more money than they can profitably use,
are the loudest in their repetition Of the mis-
representation. Let generous confidence
between men be encouraged, even if some
times it is misplaced. Look upon the bright
side, cheer up your neighbor. lend helping
hand to the worthy when you can, act upon
the golden rule OF ''live and let live" sing
ing to the weak and responding that good
old hymn, which has cheered many poor
soul under different kind of depression,
Ye fearful souls, fresh courage take,
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercies, and shall break
In blessings on your head.