The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-22
THE OUTLOOK.

| the country Is far from being all that
could be desired, it cannot he denied that
there has been material change for the
better in all departments of industry and
trade within the past six months. For
the Republican party to arrogate to itself
the glory of this i'm provement is, however,
presumption of the most glaring kind,
and to men we'll informed as to the stu
alton such a claim is too ridiculous for
moments consideration.
Through bad legislation, chiefly by the
Republican party, and from speculation
and over-confidence the country four
years ago was brought to the verge of
bankruptcy and general ruin; but the
American people with characteristic pluck
and endurance have managed somehow
to plod through the period of general de-
preston, and at last a healthful reaction
has set in Reduced to die extremities
by the eXigepcies of the situation, they
have economical in all their expenditures
| until the time has come when improve
ments must be made in all directions.
This has set the industries of the coun-
try in molten and, favored by the bad
crop conditions elsewhere, there has been
u rise in the price of American wheat and
some other products. most helpful in add
ing to the general welfare of the people.
To say, however, that the Republican
tariff Legislation has conduced in the
slightest degree to the improved condi-
tions now existing would be just as rea-
sonable AS the contention of the SUI
perstitious farmer. that his large yield
of potatoes was due to the fact that the
esculent tubers "were planted on the
dark Of the moon.' That an Advise aud
Benefcent Providence is kindly and care
fully directing..this great and growing ma
tion to Il grand and glorious destiny there
ls every reason for the careful stu
dent of it's history to believe; but
rogate to themselves the accom-
plishment of such results, seems in view
of all that has gone before, the veriest
presumption and the compIetest non
sense. Men and parties III G only the in
struments OF Providence selected to carry
who after all, speaking through the ballot
in the grand aggregate, are the real ar
biters of the uestiny of this great nation.
For Il time, through false teachings and
the unprincipled course of designing
demagogues, they may be misled; but,
when the period of reaction and sober
second thought arrives, it will he found
that they nearer right than are their
would-be leaders, and that the Latin adj
age "voX populi, voX del" as truism,
though old, is none the less reliable and
certain.
Amid the mutations of the depression
from which the country is gradually
emerging no city has shown truer grit
and more persistent determination than
the magic metropolis of the Southwest,
which stands at the gateway between the
great valley of Virginia and the rich min
eral and agricultural section of which it is
n live and aggressive exponent. While
suffering seriously from the fraudulent
operations of professionl boomers, and
enduring heavy losses from the ill-timed
and lily advised specr lations of many of
its best and most progressive citizens,
Roanoke has emerged from the fiery or
deal to which she was subjected, like the
gold that passes through the furnace, re-
fined and purified in ali the elements
that 90 to make great city, until she
stands to-day as the illustrious prototype
of New Virginia, ut once an example and
an inspiration to other municipalities
and other communities of this grand old
commonwealth.
In all the needs # healthful industry
there is nothing lacking mere; the whole.
sale and retail trade of the city have held
their own under the most depressing con-
ditlons,and happy to relate, even in times
of general dIllncss the finances of the
city government have been brought to
such healthful basis that all its obliga-
tions are met Dn demand. Although there
are no con petng lines of railroads cen
tering here, the policy of the Norfolk and
Western is so liberal that at present this
disadvantag" is not seriously embarrass-
ing to the business interests of the peo-
pie. AS the times improve, however, this
subject will he considered and dispo sed
OF with the good sense which has marked
the course of Roanoke's sagacious aud en-
terprising business ",en on all occasions.
The new buildings going up in various
parts of the city, and especially those
near the business center, show health.
full and steady growth most pleasing to
contemplate. The tate gathering OF repre-