The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-02
The Silver Lining.

wealth.
The Silver Lining.
The people Of the United States enter up
on the year 1879, under most propitious sur
roundings and prospects. If the consum-
nations Of the year shall be commensurate
18th the encouraging indications at its OPEN
ing promise,we may reasonably calculate up
on degree OF solid prosperity and progress
rarely vouchsafed to people. With re-
sumption of specie payment by the Govern
ment and the equalization of the currency
Of the country, the incentive to excessive
speculation will be absent, and the assur-
ance given that all business transactions viii
necessarily be regulated and guided by le-
Ultimate methods. The result which mus
follow will be a gradual restoration of con.
fidence in the trade interests the country
the guidance of surplus means into needed
enterprises, and better understanding in
the relations between labor and capital. II
is not unreasonable to expect, under the
healthy influence of uniform and safe
financial system, that industries will be re.
viyed, new fields of enterprise and wealth
be explored, and steady progress made
in the development of the material inter
ests Of the country.
Our relations to the outer world are none
the less encouraging. The achievements Of
American genius at the Paris Exhibition
demonstrate the superior skill ofthe mechani-
cal education of our country, whichis attested
by the advance of our products to success.
full competition in the markets of the old
world with the results OF the industry oil
their own artizans. Our cotton fabrics, cutie.
ry, and various patterns Of machinery, are
working their. way into the trade centres OF
Europe and thence distributed throughout
the districts, in preference to the products
of their own industries. We find that the
products of American soil are feeding the
millions of thelnon grain growing countries
across the.watcrs, and that We are export.
ing at the rate OF three hundred millions dol
lars O year more than we are importing from
foreign States.
The disturbance of trade relations in Eu.
rope. the suspension OF manufactures, the
distress and suffering among the lahoring
classes and skilled workmen,in consequence
thereof, and the monetary convulsion that
is shaking the very foundations of society
and government in the old world, and es-
pecially in Great Britain, must have the eff
feet to swell the tide of emigratiossto Amer.
lea and populate the unoccupied and inyit-
ing territory of the West and South, with
an industrious, hardy people, whose ener-
gies and skill will add to the growth of ma
terial development and substantial national
wealth.
The political dlsquietude, too, which
threatens the peace, if not the existence, OF
some of the European dynasties, and the
repressiye measures enacted to suppress
free thought and speech, will contribute to
the enlargement of the current that is
sweeping the inhabitants of the old country
across the Atlantic to the rich fields and in
Yiting prospects of America. Our imperial
domain, extending from ocean to ocean, land
from the lakes to the gulf.and embracing all
temperatures of climate, and adapted to all
growths and pursuits, and governed by laws
which nourish the loyal fidelity and stimu-
late the physical and intellectual energies
of all classes of citizens, whether of native
or foreign birth, Affords an asylum to the mil
lions who must seek relief from the oppres-
sion and suffering OF disturbed and suspend
ed business and political prosecutions, which
are now upheaving the governments and So
ciety Of Europe. 1t is in no congratulatory
spirit because OF the misfortunes which
seem to brood over the Eastern Continent,
that we recur to these disturbing influences
over the waters. We glance at them simply
in their logical relations to our own coun-
try and its progress, and as indications af-
fecting the business and material interests
OIL. the United States. They will operate their
results. whatever rcticence may be observed in
this country. and the causes will work out
their effects without syllable to direct the
channel of their progress.
Our own government, too, now that the
aspirations of the people seem to be
reaching above sectional disputes and differ
snces, is directing its attention to new COM
nercial outlets and enlarged markets for
he surplus products of our industry. Re-
;ently the attention of Congress has been
allied to the commerce of South America,
md the necessity of action on orr part to
more literally participate directly in its rich
raffic. Lines. of steam ships must sooner
IT later transport the products of America
rom our own ports direct to the South
American States, and bring in return the
,rowths of that prolific region and open
Ip access to new fields OF consumption, and
the necessity for modified navi-
alton laws, treaty advantages, and tariff
equations.
At peace with all the world our financial
Citations upon the highc st attainable basis of
olidity; our mechanical and industrial |
roducts controlling the markets and sup
lying the demands of the East; our own |
eople schOcled by the ordeal OF trial and |
diversity to the seyerest economy, and sec
ional feeling giving way to national fratcr-
ization, are some of the propitious indica-
ions with which We enter upon the New +
,ear, and point to as assurances of the great !
rosperity which seems to be in store for us. |
is the silver lining to the threatening
ouds that have gloomily hung over our
usiness relations for half decade, but
hich are breaking and dissolving. under
Re genial rays of returning confidence, and
le bow of promise which spans our nation
horizon.
A New Market for Wheat.
According to dispatch from the Ameri-
n Consul at Barcelona, Spain, the first