The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-06
PROSPERITY.

If any North Carolina papers thirk
Messenger does not sincerely g.
sire a return of rapid and great pros
perity for all sections and all classes
and conditions, then they are guilty
of unkindness. The Messenger will
whoop as loud as such papers and fling
up its cap as high, when ever the
procession strikes North Carolina, or
whenever it is clear that it is not the
vOciferation of spectators and their
organs, but the voice of the thing it
self-prOsperity already come.
What is the latest from the front?
We gave yesterday Notwithstanding
Optimist, Dun's Review, said Of last
week. What thought the old, sound
Bradstreet's so long looked to for the
truth? Tt says tina the persistent
misrepresentation Of the actual state
Of trade, and to an effort to make the
prospective Improvement in business
appear to be its present condition" anC
it prints the views of many business n.en
who agree tina the demand, except in
a few lines, is less pronounced than it
was w months ago
All know the character of the Spring
field Republican. 1t is al old paper of
reputation for integrity and ability, is
strictly northern, much New England,
not particularly sweet on the south.
But it tries to tell the truth and that
is a great deal when there is so much
Wholesals and retail lying concerning
politics, trade, and things generally.
What is the opinion of the able New
England paper, possibly the fairest of
its tribe? Read what it says: 1t is that
the people are preparing for the ad-
vent of much higher tariff taxes, and
that activity is rushing goods into the
country and distributing them about is
wholly artificial n has no relation to
the demand out of which alone solid
Improvement grows 1t is an activity
created at the expense Of energies
which make for future activity. Not
lightly are artificial stimulants to be
invoked in behalf of business"
Let US quote farther for if prosperity
of the genuine kind has really put in
its appearance" in the north The Re
publican published so near New York
city and Boston would be sure to find
it out. Now read:
But so far as we can discover rail-
road earnings remain on the low plane
common to other business. If there
be here and there some improvement
IN the net income it has been gained
through u expenses rather than
increased gross income. The stock
market boom is consequently. based
on prophecy and not upon facts. 1t is
.discounting possible improvement rath-
er than making up the defects of assur-
ed transportation from general trade
revival Wall street, then, has rarely
seen a more reckless speculation than
is now on the boards. 1t is a bold.
dashing. professional discount of pos
sibilities not alone in the way of bus
mess revival, but of bringing into the
market the waiting capital of Europe
and the domestic public The event
in general trade and industry may JUS
tlfy all this, but there is as yet not the
hrst bit of certainty that it will"
Has the wave of prosperity yet
struck North Carolina? Where is it?
What are the indications? Must not
he be a credulous, hopeful editor in
deed who can see prosperity in the
statements of such able, trustworthy
organs as we have quoted from? The
Messenger promises in utmost good
faith to hail prosperity whenever it
sees its presence, and to tell of its ar
rival in good form and style when
ever it is assured of the right to do
with due REGARD 10 rr11-b