Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1894-03-08
HARD TIM ES.

Nobody ever saw such times before in
Oregon. That is the main reason, prob.
ably, why we find them 90 hard to bear.
1t is also the reason, likely, why we are
apt to think they might have been pre-
vented, or, what amounts to the same
thing, they may ever after be prevented.
So we follow after spectators OF various
schools, and try to decide upon some
single and definite thing to blame for the
trouble, and to eradicate as the only
obstacle to uninterrupted prosperity and
progress.
The diagnoses and prescriptions for
business are as varied and numerous as
those for sin and salvation, and have as
essential and ultimate truths from which
to establish premises and draw conclu-
sions. Thus We are pointed to the dangers
Of ovcrproduction and urged to diversity
our industries; financial theorists assert
that with proper regulation of the cur
rency there would be no panics, and con-
sequently no distress; tariff specialists
find in free trade or protection panacea
for all business ills; socialists prescribe
government control and regulation of all
industry and production; and more
homely thinkers blame altogether our
habits Of speculation and Of extravaganza.
There must be some truth in all extensive
human beliefs there must be something
of remedial value and import in the sug-
gestions of these investigators in differ
ent fields Of thought and action. Yet
there IS one fact more necessary than
any of their conclusions for US to realize,
and that is that hard times come, in
evitably-often unheralded, but whether
announced or otherwise-inevitably.
To the people Of Oregon, because of
their hitherto freedom from distress, this
lesson comes with peculiar urgency.
Eastern people Of mature years can re-
member when distress and suspicion
were almost universal, and when no
business firm was thought absolutely safe
against an overnight calamity And we
must not delude ourselves into thinking
that when good times come again they
will bring with them a preventive OF future
collapse and depression.
Most people who are living through
these days OF suspense and annoyance
will live to see hard times again. Over
production, speculation, extravaganza,
unwise currency or tariff legislation
some or all Of these, or new causes differ
ent and not taken into account in present
discussions-may precipitate hardships
like these we are now called upon to en-
dure. There will always be those who
will ponder on the causes and seek to
ward off their recurrence. There will be
wise and strong men to uplift the voice of
caution and warning, and yet to cry
almost unheard in the uproar of the heed.
less and thoughtless. But for each in
dividual, upon whom in the end the dis
tress falls, the lesson of hard times is
preparation for hard times. It is USE
less life which meets death unprepared,
seeking in a few spasmodc hours to &C.
quirc that character only to be had by
ceaseless striving. 1t is an unsuccessful
business which is so run as to be only
able to survive when everything is most
favorable. The character that abides, the
reputation worth while in society or in
business, the true success in life, is only
that which is built for adversely as we'll
as prosperity, like the staunch ship which
outlasts the unseaworthy craft when the