Imperial Valley press., 1924-01-01
ARAPPY NEW YEAR

The spirit of optimism conpels US to say that the
Old Year good year.
That same spirit also impes US to predict that
the New Year will be better year.
One of the finest privileges of life after all, is
to look upon it with faith and hope and courage We
walk with frmer step and greater confidence and
JOY into the sunlight than into gloom and darkness
Greatest progress is made in every line of endeavor
when the actuating motive IS under the spell of
optimism.
Every American citizen has ample cause to thank
a1Iod today he looks out over the world and copre
ids the relation his country has to the rest Of
Steadily it has risen in the ranks. It's development
every phase of civilization has been the marvel and
the envy of all. twenty-five years ago when engag
ed in its enforced program Of benevolent assmila-
tien" it took rank frstclass power. 1t had long
been that, but when Dewey's and Scheys guns thund
cred at Manila and Santiago, the other nations
compelled to acknowledge military as we'll as ma
more firmly established its leading place. Il emerged
from the last great struggle in position obvious
ly supreme that citizen but feel thrill of pa
triotic pride.
Today at the beginning of anew year America has
new place of power well as of responsibility How
it meets that responsibility will determine its future
and largely the of civilization. For the hope
of the world centers in America at this hour.
The weter and the chaos of other nations are not
This is the great country pursuing its nor
NAL and steady course. Our hand is not raised against
any, home abroad Peace blessed peace prevails
here, and an amazing prosperity.
1t is this background and this present vantage that
make the bright picture. Only the dullest and the
least responsive fail to appreciate it. It's that
should enthusiasm and beget confidence every
where under the flag.
We may we'll share this feeling of optimism here in
Imperial Valley. During the year just passed many
things have conspired to give courage larger
faith. We had previously done much thinking and
talking to persuade ourselves the better time had
come. That the necessary preliminary to its
ing 1t is now here. The people of El Centro, those of
the other towns and of the entire valley
higher plane than they were year ago today. The
progress has been visible and unmStakabe. Our
material advancement is plainly reflected in sWo
len bank deposits They much larger on this
January l, 1924, than they January l, 1928.
Fair prices and abundant crops have brought the de-
comforts Industry is worth while here, after all We
do have wonderful heritage in this rich valley. The
main thing is to have baptism Of resoute cour
age This is still a country and everything is
or less experimental. Wisdom and patience
quired make of the right and the highest
.recompense We want more residents on our farms,
established with view to making permanent homes for
themselves and their children This should be the
first and paramount purpose Of every forward-look
ing resident today This done and the rest will readily
follow The program for 1924 should be definitely
framed to that end.
But no program is complete without taking into
account our moral progress 1t cannot be denied
are subjected to unusual temptations here by the very
logic of our physical fate. Stern stuff is required to
meet the situation. That the communtys moral fiber
this not true all else would be in vain There is high
resolve to protect youth and thus insure future
standards Dividends of character count for much
than dividends from stocks.and bonds The bene
fcient effects of these will last much longer than of
+ the coupons we clip.
Finally, the Press wishes every of its readers
happy and a prosperous New Year.