Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1893-08-30
TURN THE TIDE.
What Can be Done to Restore Confidence
to the Country.

affairs, there are periods when troubles
accumulate and press heavily on all
sides, when the future is dark beyond
compare and when hope fades and de-
spair takes possession of the heart and
mind. The nation that survives such
calamities is superior nation and the
human being man of first quality.
The advent of the Democratic party to
power, March 4, 1898, marked the be-
ginning of the most sudden change
from industrial prosperity to industrial
adversely ever known in the economic
history of any country. In extent and
rapidity of action this industrial devas-
tation brings to mind the havoc of
modern warfare prosecuted with energy
and force by the aid OF the most fearful
and ingenious life and property de-
stroying implements. No matter what
the cause or causes, this panic of dis
trust and contraction has swept the
country from the Pacific to the Atlantic
in an incredibly short space of time
and thrown its shadows alike on every
section of our broad domain.
Under its blighting effects private
fortunes have gone down, values have
shrunk, corporations have gone to the
wall, banks have closed their doors,
solvent firms have sought refuge in the
hands of receivers, great financial in
stitution have resorted to extraordinary
combinations in the hope of stemming
the almost resistless tide, the people
have taken alarm and drained the saw
ings banks of their deposits, orders for
fall and winter commodities have been
stopped, and whole communities of
wage earners have been discharged
from mines, mills, factories and work
shops.
In the face of fiancial gloom and de-
spair the financiers, the business men,
the captains of industry, have shown
courage, determination and the highest
order of patriotism. They have risked
their fortunes in efforts to stem the cur
rent rapidly running against them.
They have stood in the ranks with
angry and panic stricken men and
women and pointed out the folly Of
withdrawing money from sound and
well managed banks. They have kept
open their mills and factories until
forced to close for want of orders. They
have by their enterprise forced return
of some gold to our shores. They have
vigorously, earnestly, civally and with.
out display of partisanship petitioned
the President, the Secretary of the
Treasury and Congress to take active
steps to turn the tide of calamity which
bids fair to engulf the business inter
ests of the Nation.
Labor has likewise acted heroically.
Reduction of wages has been accepted.
Factories have gone ON half time with
out protest from the employees, and
thousands are daily joining the mourn
ful army of the unemployed with the
cherished hope that few weeks will
bring about better times. Here and
there the cry has gone up for bread or
work, and at such gatherings the Soc
ialistic spirit has naturally come to the
front. The hundreds of thousands,
however, suddenly emerging from a
long period of prosperity have not yet
felt the pinch of poverty. They are
peaceable and hopeful, and like the
business men of the country turn to the
party in power for some remedy-to
the party which promised so much to
the wage Garner.
Will that remedy be given before it
is too late? At this critical moment in
the Nation s affairs is there states.
man in the party responsible for the
terrible vacillation and delay who com
prehends and is the master of the situa-
tion2 After delivering himself of a
message that did not do justice to the
subject directly treated, and which
worked Infinite mischief to the subject
the tariff incidentally treated, the
President left Washington and returned
to his summer home. With no steady.
courageous hand and comprehensive
brain at the helm legislation has drifted
into an uncertainty that bewilders
even the nearest friends of the collec.
tive incapacity known as President and
Cabinet. Within week The Press has
heard calls emanate from Democratic
quarters for the calm wisdom of Har'
rison, the vast experience of Sherman
the infinite industrial knowledge OF
Mckinley and the courageous deter
mination of Reed.
With such leaders as these at Wash
ington with power to act, would
the bill to increase bank notes bt
in danger of being talked to DEATH
WouldF Fthe fear of the destruction Of
the American system Of protection bt
pendingl Would the Sherman law re
main unrepealedp The Republican
party is party of courage and of ac
ton. 1t is in touch with the labor anG
the industrial and financial integrity
of the country. In such an emergenc,
as the present the people could rely OF
its acting practically as a unit for th'
good of the country. Something woult
have been done.
Something must be done. Tw,
weeks have gone and the only legisla