The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1879-11-13
VOL. ".
The Silver Lining

VI the clio I'd that has 50 long darkened
the land 10 glea ming with brilliaucy
that cheers aAd betokens the end Of the
storm. The years that have followed
the crash of 1873 are burdened with sad
memories and their record 10 monument
of crushed hopes. financial disaster. ma
tioRal ana individual depression. Exul-
tsnt over the close and success Of the war,
and stimulated by the UNUSUAL revival OF
all branches Of business, the major part
Of which had slumbered during the strug-
gle people seemed fearless of an unfavora.
bic 70 sction. and apparently ignored all
warnings that past history gives Of the
dangers Of initiation and reckless spscula.
tion.
The safe method of accumulation was
the exception, and not the rule adopted
Fortunes were not worth seeking that
could no, be realized without speculation
and tue consequent inflated value, attach
Cd to every salsble commodity, real estate
wild lands and town lots alike tipped the
scales at prices beyond th'ir intrinsic val
ue, and almost mania prevailed for sud
den fortunes. Railroads were mapped
and lines run traversing every point OF
the compass and stretching out 70 un-
known wilds, their managers and stock
holders victims Of the fever that ragged
Wealth without work, competence without
economy, seemed possible and ito spirit
characterized mems actions, men seemed
oblivious to the wsrnings that many pr'-
dent writer's gave, thinking their discern
ment keen enough to SC ent the first symp.
toms of q change, but when it did come
the crash not only paralyzed the immedi-
ats participants but it shook the CONNER
cial world. The bitter lesson taught will
prove unquestiousbly salutory, a. the
long years of endurance have schoolcd Us
all to profit by its teachings, We were
long time reaching bed rock, and imagin-
ed tha, it was fathomed several times.
To those who were necessarily fixtures
in this part Of the west, ana were produc-
ers and dependent upon other portions for
demand unfortunately we're subjected 70
q double annoyance, as the depression
elsewhere reduced the demand for our pro.
duc.ions, our local misfortune lessensd
the crops reducing b'low living rate
and to mere plttanco the amount rsasiz-
ed, the abandoned fields, empty cribs and
granaries told this fact and the people
were more than disheartened. But the
h nge already realized has Frightened
affairs to almost rejoicing period, the
railroads being built have left thousands
oc dollars distributed am, ng the people
SO that all more Or less felt its benefits,
following IN their wake CONES tho usual
class Of monied immigrants VINO ouy and
build, capital that could not BE- induced
to seek investments here is now entrusted
to local agents who sctuall y solicit loans
and any one who has any reality to
secure with can obtain mon ey, - yet We
have only Eel, tue ripple Of the great wave
of good times that ls rolling westward
soon to lift Us entirely from the shoA up
on which we have been aoundering %
long. Another year will remove nearly
all tho signs Of the wreck, and an era Of
prosperity is unques.,o nably dawning. Il
our experience would be Of use let 1t be
manifest and utilized durlag the coming
re action, and our endorsements will
have proved of benefit and blessing in
disguise.