Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-23
The fireman.
MoNTPELIER.vT
WEDNESDAY. JAN. %. 1873.
The Hard Times.

Since the panic of 1873 there have been
many prophecies of better times near at
hand. The utterers of them have found
themselves very much in the situation of
Mr.. Seward after his ninety days effort in
1861. This winter is certainly about as
hard on business men, on the smaller
debtors throughout the country, and on
those who depend on day wages for sup
port as any season previous since the de-
preston in business set in.
Things having come to be about as bad
rs they can be, is, when all is considered,
about the best reason going for think
ing any important Improvement is to
come. Whatever pinching would come
from M inflated currency to a sound one
has been endured. The greenback dollar
commands n market value of within Il
cent or two of the gold dollar and but a
little time is needed to bring them on the
same plane. But even when this is done
business is not going to spring up suddenly
into renewed health. The change for the
better, when it begins, will be slow-sow-
err than the downward steps have BEEN
1t is better to have this slow change for
the better and have it healthy one than
to have the country dosed with silver into
state which merely deceives by the SEM
blance of health. But if the dose is to be
administered it had better be taken at
once. The talk and uncertainty about
what is to be done make more trouble
than would swift decision one way or
the other. The west and the south de-
mand trial of the nostrum and we are
inclined TO think will get it in some shape
or other If they do all the cast can do
will be to grin and bear it till all know
its effects.
The last year began with promise of an
Eastern war which soon changed into
certainty, and brought up the prices of
western farm products. This year begins
with more than an even chance that
Turkey will be forced into peace before
the time for getting crops in is at hand.
During the last week the Russian armies
have swept on from the southern slope of
the Balkans and now occupy Adrianople,
more than half way from Plevna to Con-
stantinople.
1t was condition imposed on the Turks
who proposed to treat for an armistce,
that this could only be done when the
Russians were in Adrianople. Beyond
that city there is no vantage ground of
defence till the immediate fortifications of
Constantinople are reached. So the Turks
are at the mercy of their northern enemies
unless England and other parties to the
treaty of Paris come in and help. Austria
and England will no doubt object to a
peace that violates the conditions of that
treaty unless they are consulted as to
what notifications may be allowed
Out of this attitude of Austria and Great
Britain comes the only reasonable belief
that the war now apparently SO near its
close may suddenly enlarge itself by the
addition of more bellgerents. The peace
that promises to be near at hand will de-
prive the owners of the grain fields of the
west of good deal of hoped for income
from high prices.
With the silver BILL and peace in Europe
near at hand, folks may make up their
minds to go along for Il time in the hard
ways we arc on. There is one consolation,
the nation is learning the need of economy
and with this once learned when time, do
begin to favor the people what prosperity
cones will be more lasting.