Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-08
seIntuttt Chronicle.
THURSDAY FEB. s, 1894.
PENCIL POINTERS.

The prevalence of hard times and re-
viyals of religion, beside each other just
now in this country, brings out the fact |
that such periods of depression in former
times have been accompanied by religious
awakenings. No doubt men not being
able to lay up treasure on earth seek to
lay away something in a safer place. No
doubt much of the awakening results
from the fact that men are deprived of
the means of enjoying ungodly pleasure,
and turn to religious effort as an outlet
for that energy which has been wont to
be dissipated in recreation. But certain
ly the chief factor in the revivals in these
cases is the added solemnity and thought
fulness given to life by the difficulty In
getting the means of life. Prosperity is
careless; it is bent on itself, and cheerful.
Hard times turn over life and show the
reverse of doom" When seas and skies
are smooth it is only morbid man who
feels the mockery of the light. In the
struggle for bread the tragedy looms out
of the landscape. Men, then, must think
hard. By dropping gayety they get time
for reflection about themselves, and a
man cannot think long of himself and
his condition without becoming either
religionist, philosopher, or madman.
In concluding his great speech against
the Wilson bill ex-Speaker Reed uttered
these words:
1--WE know, my friends, that before this
tribunal we all of us plead in vain. Why
we fail let those answer who read the
touching words of Abraham Lincoln's
first inaugural, and remember that he
plead in vain with these same men and
their predecessors. Where he failed we
can not expect to succeed. But though
we fail here to day, like our great leader
of other days, in the larger field before
the mightier tribunal which will finally
and forever decide thisquestion we shall
be more than conquerors; for this great
nation, shaking. off as it has once before
the influence of lower civilization, will
go on to fulfill its high destiny until over
the South, as well as over the North,
shall be spread the full measure of that
amazing prosperity which is the wonder
of the world"
These words have prophetic meaning,
and let him who doubls their truth care
fully note the course of events which
follow the enactment of this unAmerican
law, framed and passed at the behest of
the same men who plunged the country
into civil war in 81.
The life of George w. Childs, of the
Philadelphia Ledger, whose death oc
CURED early Saturday morning, is a strik
ing illustration of the possibilities which
lie in the path of young men who are able
to grasp opportunities. He began life
with the traits of industry, character and
faithful attention to duty, coupled with
native ability as his sole capital. He
rose to a position in the hearts of his
which few strive for and
less attain-a man who labored not for
himself but for the good of mankind. 1t
was not as editor of a newspaper, justly
as a model, that his fame was
made. but in his unbounded benevolence
and philanthrophy. He prospered won
derfully in business, but the more he
prospered the more he gave to worthy
objects. He was well worthy the name
of typical American.
1t is estimated that SO per cent. of the
revenues under the Wilson
bill will be raised by taxation. This is
a higher proportion of direct taxation
than this country ever experienced
save one year during the war, when it
was 65 per cent. The Democracy for
years has been bowling about war tar
ifs and war taxes, but just as soof as it |
gets the power the most odiOus form of
war taxes are saddled upon US in pro-
portion never but once exceeded. The |
party relieved the country of |
war taxes years ago, but just as the Dem
ocratic party of thirty five years ago was
the cause of war taxes, it is now the in
strument of levying the same taxes on
US again.
Senator Hogg, of this district, is quoted
as being opposed to biennial sessions
Mr. Hogg should know that in such
course he is miSrenreSentinp the neOnla |