Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-05-19
cUsTER.s COLD CoNcLUsIoN

Yes, it was cold conclusion that
Custer finally had to imbbe. Year fter
year the vain hope of favorable turn
in the lingering tide of her stifled pro-
gress had been nipped in the incipient
bud Of promise, until it became nee
essity to grasp the cold, but vital con-
clusion, that material blessings come not
unbidden to those who pin their faith
upon undeveloped resources, relying
solely upon others for their utilization.
Years of trial, and the bitter experiences
resulting, finally forced the cold con-
clusion upon the cisissns Of Custer that.
the theory Of waiting upon the motion
of others to start the wheel Of progress
was mistaken policy, and that without
an effort on their part. the town, which
is so highly favored with natural re-
sources and advantages, might continue
to be the scene Of blasted hopes and
unrealized visions OF anticipated pros
perity until the crack of doom
The change which has 30 recently
come over the spirit Of Clusters dream
is to us suggestive of a train Of thought.
which in its contemplation is both
pleasing and sad. 1t is inexpressibly
pleasing inasmuch as it has already re-
suited in largely increasing the measure
of our material prosperity, and the
degree of confidence entertained by our
people in the future progress Of the
town. 1t is only sad in this, that it did
not materialize at an earlier period in
our history. in which event the Pioneer
city might ere this have been advanced
to an enviable position upon the list of
the progressive cities Of the northwest.
Upon this latter thought it is but the
sheerest folly to dwell. The drift Of
Custer thought should be confined to
the more pleasing contemplation OF
what we have already accomplished by
the radical change, from inertia to ac-
tivity, that is now so palpably manifest,
and the more practical contemplation Of
the most advisable methods Of still
further increasing and perpetuating the
measure of our advancing progress,
which already, by our earnest efforts,
has been so substantially inaugurated.
1t should he sacredly held in the minds
of our people, that the era of advancing
progress now SO clearly manifest, is
wholly due TO the united efforts OF our
citizens, and while it will require less
effort to keep the ball rolling. it now
being fairly under way, it is nevertheless
necessary to be watchful and yigilant,
permitting no opportunity to escape
whereby Custer's progress may be pro-
noted. The degree of effort required to
warrant healthy progress decreases as
wealth and commercial importance in
creases, but at no period in the history
of any town or city upon earth can it be
said that all effort in the direction Of
advancement could have been abandon
ed without serious detriment. 1t is
therefore not only advisable, but il is Of
the most vital importance that Custer
should, in the future, be as earnest,
united and persistent in her efforts to
promote the material interests and
general progress of the town, as she has
been since she embraced the then cold,
but now comforting conclusion, that
there is no excellence without labor, no
success without effort, and no municipal
salvation without unity of wise, and
we'll directed purpose.