The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1894-04-21
THE FUTURE HOPEFUL.
The business depression has contin-

The business depression has contin-
ued so long, with so little if any i'm
provemsnt, that people are losing cour-
age and despair of anything better
in the future. If the hard times had
been the result of causes that had long
been in operation it might be expected
that business had reached its proper
level, and that it would continue in
this normal condition. But such are
not the facts. When President Har-
rison left the White House the country
was in prosperous condition, wages
were high, and laborers had constant
employment. As soon as the Demo
cratic administration was lnaugurated
the depression began, and has con-
tinued ever since. Capital became
timorous, and manufacturers stopped
purchasing raw material and in some
instances closed their factories. This
stopped the wheels of progress and
spread distress over the country. Then,
as q natural result, values deprecated
and workmen, rendered desperate by
want anj starvation, offered to work
at almost any price. The actuating
causes of this distress may be traced to
the fear of free trade, which hung like
a pail over the nation when the advo-
Gates of the provisions of the Chicago
platform were given the control of
Affairs In Washington City. As soon
as this shadow can be removed, the
business of the country will revive,
capital will seek investment, and labor
will again. be employed. The depres-
sion is only temporary, and will dis
appear as soon as the conditlens are
changed. 1t cannot be expected that
the recovery will be as speedy as the
decline was sudden. This has not
been true in former epochs when the
same result has been impelled by tariff
agitation. 1t may take years to re-
establish confidence; but the country
is young and the resources not nearly
developed. The United States is no
nearer bank, uptcy than it was q few
years ago. Trade and capital are only
temporarily paralysed by reason of an
attempt of a radical change in the
economic policy.
This Is especially true of the north
west, which is capable of supporting
more than double the population than
there are now residing in these states
There has been little, If any, develop
ment of the natural resources, and
these are varied. With the usual
growth of the country. manufactures
will be established which will give
employment to many more consumers,
and there is no better field for the in
vestment Of capital. The present
business stagnation cannot materially
injure the product of our mines, forests
or soil. Wool will bring low price
in the market until the nation reverts
again to the protection policy; but
from present indications this will hap
pen in two years, and perhaps the
elections next November may SO change
the complexion of the lower house of
congress that the passage of any free
trade bill will be impossible.
The people should be hopeful and
and not respondent. Trade
will again revive and American indus
tries will once more be IN operation on
full time. The clouds will pass away,
and the country will again be prosper
eus. This nation has survived after
four years of civil war, has manas ed
to go forward on the road of prosper
ity with q burden of q three billion
public debt bearing it Down, and it
cannot he wrecked and ruined by four
years of Democratic administration.