The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-08-03
VALUE OF CONFIDENCE.
rs FORCE IN THE COMMERCIAL
WORLD.

How it Helps to Keep Money in Circu-
lation and Stimulates Trade and
Manufactures. While the Loss of it
Undermines and Destroys Them.
baltimore SUM-
The agreeable and enlivening effect
lof the quality OF cheerfu.ness in the
ease OF social companionship perhaps,
IS thoroughly understood 10y every one,
put its absolute value as moral and
rental tonic in practical life and
business affairs is scarcely appreciated
rs it should be. Cynics and dyspeptic
philosophers are in the habit of
{lsneering at the golden dreams and
enthusiasms of optimists, but what is
Optimism, after all, but the spirit of
cheerfulness, the latter being optimism
redueed to practice and applied to
every day life. Cheerfulness is the
: habit of looking at everything from
the best and most hopeful point of
i view-of seeing the sunshine and the
pleasant side OF the world, instead of
only the storm clouds and the portents
Bof danger. Even the worst situation
Ghas its bright and encouraging features,
3and it is the part of rational cheerful
ness to point this out and emphasize
it in moments of melancholy and
gloom. The spirit of optimism is
really the spirit of faith, and faith, as
even the doubters and fearful must
admit, is one of the mightiest agencies
which operate in the spiritual or the
business world. The eloquent apostle
did not exaggerate when, centuries ago,
NE described the possibilities of faith.
by faith the Hebrews passed through
The Red sea as by dry land, when the
doubting) Egyptians essaying to do
we're drowned. By faith the walls of
ericho fell down, and by the same
Inspiration strong kingdoms have been
subdued by the weak and wonders of
all sorts accomplished in every age and
Iquarter of the earth.
There is a practical moral in this
sermon which might be applied with
advantage to the business situation in
this country just now. Cheerfulness,
optimism, faith, are but other terms
for confidence, which is what all
business men agree is the necessary
Foundation of financial prosperity and
he certain preventive of disaster and
|anic. Confidence is more needed
han an increase of the currency. If
he depositors and creditors of the
Western banks which have been
Pppling down recently had had more
Pnfidence, they would probably have
cen better off in the end, and the
bstltutions which have been pulled
own would have been able to tide over
heir troubles. Confidence is a great
horal force and it has led more people
han the Hebrews safely through Red
eas of difficulty. The world is what it
GEMS to you, and in general it seems
What you make it. Suppose every
man in the United States should get
up tomorrow morning with the deter
nination to take cheerful and hope
jul view of business conditions, should
begin the day with confidence in HIM
elf, in the government and in the re-
ources ofthe country, what an immense
influence for good that spirit of cheer
illness would exert! The financial
and business outlook would become
clearer, the clouds of distrust would
roll by, the disturbing effects of the
present alarm would pass away and
the country would settle earnestly
down to its work, contented to wait
for logical and satisfactory solution
|ot the currency problem.
There is every reason why we should
have this confidence. Our natural
Fkand developed wealth and resources
IPre almost infinite and practically
nexhaustible. Years of reckless legis-
alton and wildcat methods of all sorts
lave been powerless to impede our
browth and progress. 1t will require
more than little silver squall to do
IS any serious injury unless we lose
pr courage and our confidence. By
ith Columbus discovered the Western
Forld four centuries ago by faith the
[rly settlers ventured into its danger
is forests, subdued the savage and
eated the conditions of civilization
faith in ourselves, in our institutions
nd in our future we have become the
reatest country in the world. All we
eed just now is a little of our old
line faith, the quality that is called
confidence by our business men. 1t is
Worth more than an act of Congress
Especially such acts as the Sherman
bill, and will work speedier cure
than all the political nostrums on the
market.