The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-11-27
SIMILAR CONDITIONS
AFTER CIVIL WAR
LARGE CITIES WE'RE REELING IN
DISSIPATION.
STRIKES GENERAL.
Cost of Living Mounted High, and
Labor Unrest Was Prevalent.
Government Ran Railroad.

Washington, D. C.-That familiar
saying History repeats ITSELF" gives
a great deal of comfort in these times
OF strikes, extravaganza, fear, doubt
and social and industrial unrest. 1t
should "buck up those who are ask
ing, what is the world coming toy
This is not the first time this coun-
try has experienced these conditions,
later to emerge into years and genera
tions of unexampled individual and
national happiness. BY the same
token it is destined to do so again.
Immediately after the Civil War
the country was more disturbed and
the outlook darker than now. Writ
ten history only sums up. The un-
folding of events is best followed in
the daily newspapers of the time of
their actual happening. From this
source and from reports of various
commercial bodies, together with
those of societies and state and ma
tional institutions facts are presented
which show how similar in many
phases are the old struggles and the
new. y
Writing of the reckless prodigality
of the American people in 1865, a
New York correspondent of the Lon
don Times says:
"Thistwar has brought the levity OF
the American characters out in bold
relief. The indulgence in every va
riety of pleasure, luxury and extrava-
gance is simply shocking. There is
something saddening in the high glee
with which the people here look upon
a grievous national calamity. The
Jewellers shops in all their cities have
trebbled their trade; the love of fine
dresses and ornaments on the part Of
women amounts to madness. They
have money and they must enjoy it."
The New York Independent adds:
HAsk Stewart about the demand for
camers hair shawls. His answer is,
'Manstrous!' Ask Tiffany what kind
of diamonds are called for. He will
reply: The prodigious; as near hens
egg size as possible; price no object.
Ingram carpets wont do at all;
Brussels and vefvets are now used
from basement TO garrett"
From the files of the New York
Herald it is seen that interest in horse
racing was keen and that grand opera
enjoyed great prosperity. The thea
ter never had been more crowded.
'.War and high prices" says the
Herald, "can not terrify the Gotham
ties. As long as life remains in
them they will keep up their reputa-
ton for jollity and good Fellowship. ~
Gayety was epidemic in Washing
ton. Frederick w. Seward, assistant
secretary of state, in letter said it
was sign that the people had given
up mourning and grumbling and were
devoting themselves to festivities. The
Springfield Republican declares that
Washingto was drunk and reeling in
a whirl of dissipation, where only the
best women devoted any time to
home, husband or children.
The reason for this outburst of
jollifcation was ascribed to reaction
from the strain of war and the plenti-
full supply of money in the hands OF
all classes.
Nowhere in the world,"' wrote the
same London Times correspondent
els the laboring man so prosperous
as in America. If there is q country
in which labor is petted, humored,
and put in clover, it is here"
Suddenly when the war ended,
peace in the industrial world gave
way to discomfort. Wages remained
stationary and prices for commodi-
ties rose. This was due to the inf1a-
ton of the currency, caused by the in
PRODUCTION of paper money. Labor
says the writer, assumed an attitude
of hostility toward employers and
took concerted measure for self de-
fense." The situation in New York,
he says, was typical of the period.
Necessities Jumped 100 Per Cent.
Eggs jumped from Is cents doz-
en- to 25, cheese went from eight to IS
cents pound, potatoes advanced to
1925 bushel from s1.50-all neces-
sites rose in value fl. so to 100 per
cent. Wages on the other hand Jagged
behind. The average increase in all
trades was about 25 percent. AS the
discrepancy between wages and val
ues of food and clothing became
greater industrial unrest tended to-
ward revolution. Labor entered into
determined effort to Offset the shrink
age Of the dollar by forcing wages up