The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1893-12-30
SET DOWN FROM ToVR KlBsABs.


failures, coupled with the short crop
and low price of cotton, has east q
deeper gloom than ever over Green
vile q the exit of the old year.
The worst feature Of al il the senti-
ment ot despondeney-of Indifference
syen-shat Y noticeable ID the talk
and conduct Of ordinarily hopeful and
confident men. This feeling is to be
resisted and as far rs possible dis
PEELED. Gresnvills, ike all cities, has
once before passed through such an
experience. less far reaching in its ef-
fects, but none the lem dispiriting TO
those Interested. 1t was only = vii
lsge then. There was very little
capital in II. The interests at stake
were infinitely smaller than those OF
the present day. The period of de-
preston commenced about the year
1873, and reached its elimination in
the overwhelming misfortune Of the
yellow fsyor epidemic of 1878. Who
has forgotten the hopelessucss, the
deep despair Of that time? Businsss
was entirely prostrated. Property
was valueless. The almost total
destruction of the town by FIRE in
1874 had been followed by the plague
Of sickness and death in 1873. Many
Of the best citizens we're in their
graves The churches were througsd
with weeping black robed women. In
the death Of town officers and Of 90
many Of the most valuable citizens the
surviving inhabitants read the death
Of tho town itself. Iu those dark
days the boldest and most hopeful
would not have dared to prophecy that
any future lay before Grcenyillc but
retrogresslon. ain three years cotton
will be growing from one end Of
Main street 10 the other" wac q favor
| ite prediction. 1t was not consldered
worth while to make any effort at re-
euperatlon. The town was supposed
70 be ruined, mot threatened with
ruin, but ruined actually and past re-
demption. Was this belief borne out by
subsequent events2 AT the moment
Of the deepest depression We we're on
the threshold Of growth and pros
pefity such as few towns In this State
havo snjoyed. Thus 1880 found the
village sunk in woe and hopelessucss-
moneylem, dsspairing, and mourning
over the promise which was supposed
TO be irretrievably lost. Yet 1885
despite the disastrous ovcrnows of 1881
and '0S-found a city increasing at the
rate Of more than 1000 people a year
and alive with rush and hurry and
roar Of business and enterprise which
made Il The wonder and delight Of al
who saw 1t.
1t was natural that the people should
become over sanguine under such in
husnosa II waa human nature 70 fAncy
lhat any spseulatlon, however Wild
would reeult II wealth IN the magic
Of eur growth md vIsor. Thee ssStss' u
wss much mosk @Ssrs. Our capital
whsisthsrs wss Of II, was all home
ilrown. With the recklessness char
cpteristic Of the people Of the Dclt'
o was lavlshsd-often foolishly-ol
manner of ill-considered ventures
4 resnville W4s drunk with success
lls present dismal awakening is aim
4 ply ne lnevltobls next morning, will
Its headache and remorse, which our cit
| liens must brace up under. The peopl
Who poured into the town during ii
prosperity have remained. Those VIII
have left 1t have with few exception
returned 10 share the veal or woe O
the country which haa iu spite Of Il
draWbaaka become endeared 70 q
who have ever inhabited IL contine
These ore facts to give encouragement
to renewed efforts.
The main trouble is that we hav
boon playing at being rich. But th
ss1ls Il up now. A few--a very fe'
wise men have laid by a fs'
teeus1nds for rainy day. Tho
are al right aud are reaplug th
reward OF their foresight. The rel
q lbs people have nothing left bu
vague recollection Of having had
goold hlns, and an abundant supply c
hln3 3-1|ght. Let them take heart, how
eyo5 They made their money risl
horf I'd what they didn't fling ava
p. @oollon futures and loan agencie