The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-12-03

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never be very high: probably even
lower than it is at present. and that
for the very reason that there is an
over supply of unskilled labor. COM
pared with that which will rank as
skilled The Scientific american a few
months ago contained an advertisement
for twelve skilled mechanics for a GER
tain kind of work, and but one person
made application for the positions to
be filed. 1t is safe to sag that, had the
advertisement been for men to saw
wood, or shovel dirt, or clerk in store.
to do copying, or even to keep books,
there would have been more applica-
tons than there were places to be
filed. This fact, as | pass, is worth
noting down by the boys and young
men who will soon be doing for them
selves. There is, and is likely to be,
constant demand for competent and
thoroughly skilled mechanics and ma
chinists, and it might be said to those
who aspire to succeed in some of the
varied departments of mechanical
skill, just as Webster said to the aspir-
ing Jaw students: "There is always
room at the top or as the Greek pro-
verb puts it: Zone finished man is
worth a thousand ill-disciplined and
grovelling ones.
III. We have reason for thankful
ness because of the feeling of national
prosperity and success which we enjoy
to-day. Any person who will candidly
and honestly compare our national
outlook to-day with what it has been
at any other period for the last fifteen
years, can but see that there is much
reason for thankfulness and fresh
courage. When the Republican party,
with Abraham Lincoln as President,
assumed control of the government on
the 4th of March, 1861-it found an
empty treasury, and an impending
civil war. Those four years of rebel
lion were an enormous expense; they
left us with an overwhelming war
debt-so great that thousands believed
we should never be able to pay it, but
that, like the national debt of England,
| it would be perpetual burden to us,
and which we dying, should mention
in our wills bequeathing it as a rich
legacy to our children! At the close
of August, 1865, the total debt result
ing from the war was $2,756, 431,571.
The annual interest was $150,977, 697'
or, in other words, each individual liv-
| ing in the u. S. fifteen years ago had a
share of $7S.25 in our national debt,
and his yearly interest on that debt
was $4.29. During these fifteen years
this debt has been so diminished that
to-day the rate for each individual in
habitant of our country is less than
one-half what it was fifteen years ago
and the interest is not more than one
third per capita what it was then.
Another gratifying thought for us as
we give thanks to-day is, that our
national affairs are being administered
with so little loss. Said Secretary
Sherman in q late speech in Cincin-
natl: During the administration of
James Buchanan the loss by defalca-
tions of public officers in the collection
and disbursement of the public monies
was 1881 on every $1,000. During
Pierce's administration it was $3.50.
During Folks administration it was
$4.0S. During Jackson's administra-
ton it was 1925. During Van Buren's
administration it was Sill. During
Lincoln's administration the loss en-
bracing the recklessness caused by war
was only 76 cents on every $1,000. For
the eight years of Grants administra-
ton it was 81 cents on every $1,000.
In Hayes administration thus far, as
Stunning that all amounts in dispute are
lost, the loss on $1,000 would be so
small that the smallest coin of the
country would make it good three
times" During President Hayes adj
ministration the loss has been but one
third of cent on every 1000 collected
and distributed. Have we not all
abundant reason for rejoicing to think
that the coming administration of
national affairs is not to pass into the
hands of the Democratic party, which
has proven by its history to be unpar-
donably reckless and grossly dishonest9
Do we not rejoice that the interests of
our country are still to be rested in
that party whose present administra-
ton, both in the cabinet and in the
white house, is one of the cleanest and
purest, one of the most economical and
honest, that our country has ever
known? Do we not all rejoice, and
are we not all thankful on this day of
national rejoicing and thanksgiving
that the Office of President of these U.
S. is to be filled for the next four years
by one, who is a sincere, liberal minded
christian-a broad, thorough scholar, a
wise and experienced statesman?
Christianity is the fountain of the tru-
est manhood, and may God hasten the
day when every follower of Christ
shall so purify himself even as Christ
is pure" that he may be able to live
before the world life as sterling in its
qualities and as noble in its bearing as
that of Jas. A. Garfield.
". Our religious progress for the
present year, although far from what
we could wish, is yet the ground for
much thankfulness. The year just
closing has not been year marked by
great revivals, nor by large accessions
to our churches. 1t is all unpleasant
truth to record that the membership
of our Congregational churches has
declined in various sections during the
past year. In Massachusetts,, the very
cradle of Congregationalism, we lack
five hundred of being as strong in
members as we were last year. New
Hampshire shows loss of forty-four.
In Illinois and Wisconsin we have
only held our own. l have not the
statistics of other denominations, but
I trust they are able to make better
showing than we as Congregationalists
can. I am of opinion, however, that
the aggregate strength of the Congre-
gational churches in the q s. is greater
to-day than it was one year ago. Our
increased benevolent contributions
and our general activity in promoting
other worthy objects, 1 think, prove it.
Christ said of the Jews, This is an
evil generation, they seek sign" So
this is an evil generation in so far as it
makes numbers merely to be the sign
of church's spiritual power. Num-
bers may or may not represent real
faith and efficiency. "The good Lord"
says the Rev. Mr.. Doe of our own state,
"may not measure success as we do.
putting more stress on goodness, faith
fulnncS and natinnt oonfi0nopaa in