Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-10
A DARK REVIEW.

A review of 1877 shows an event
fa) history both at home AMI abroad.
Oar Centennial Anniversary was Gel
obrated in 1876 with great popular
rejoicings. We seemed to be at the
highest point of power and prosper
ity. But the Presidential election at
tie close of the year resulted in a
very serious political deadlock, and
at the opening Of 1877 there was
widespread fear of national anarchy.
Under wise craftsmanship and patri-
otic public feeling the country tually
PASSED safely through the dark crisis
The Presidential difficulty was barely
settled, however, before the country
was startled by different and liercer
peril, in the railroad strikes Of July.
The trouble at Martinsburg seemed a
small matter, cloud scarcely bigger
than a mans hand. But it expanded
with electric fury and before another
week elapsed had burst in a storm Of
FIRE and blood upon all the great rail-
road centres. Over twelve thousand
miles of railroad in eleven States
were in the hands Of fronzied rioters
for days and only by the effective
military power Of the general govern
ment WAS the strife brought to an
end. We make no comments but
only briefly recall these two great
events, the one political the other
growing out Of lsbor's contest with
capital. If they have shown some
weak points in our framework Of
government they have also sho.n the
latsnt power Of law and order to
maintain peace. The withdrawal OF
government troops from South Caro-
lima and Louisiana by President
Hayes may be mentioned as events Of
no little Importance. Two Indian
wars have been settled III this year.
The great tramp movement showed
no falling off during 1877. The loss
Of The Huron and hundred gallant
lives was sad event Of the year.
Ia the fall Of 1878 the great bubble
Of money imitation and railway specu-
lation which had raised the country
to an unprecedented pitch Of eXtray-
asance, suddenly broke. Starting
with the bankruptcy Of Jay Cooke the
downfall has since beon rapid and
ruinous. Seed time and harvest
have not failed. The country has
been blessed with abundant crops
But the reaction | as brought down
with crash our great manutactcrln
and iron and coal interests. Furnaces,
iorges, mills and factories have been
swept into bankruptcy and working
men. left idle or working at barely
living wages. The year 1877 will
long be remembered as year Of
''hard times, a year Of fraud and
crime and perjury, Of failures in
banks and savings institutions, Of be-
trayals Of trusts and embozzlements,
of defalcations and business strewn
over the whole country.
Thus 1877 goes down into the past
with all its sins upon its head, leav'
ing its heavy burden of hard times
and financial troubles to its successor.
The outlook for the new year appears
gloomy. One year from now is fixed
by law for the equalization Of the
greenback with the gold dollar. 1t
IS for congress to say WHISTLER this
law shall stand and also whether a
deficient silver dollar shall be forced
to rank with the gold. This is the fl,
nanclal problem for 1878. Congress
may wrangle over it but after all the
severest prospect Of better times lies
in good crops with persevering person
al economy and business integrity on
the part Of each and all.