The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-11-22
Recovery in Morale
New York TimeS)

BY a consensus Of opinion and reSo-
luton, it would seem that Americans
have determined to make an end Of
the depression quickly and entirely.
Chambers OF commerce and other
business organizations have agreed to
unite forces for this end. Banks are
pledging their fullest cooperation to
the government. On its side, the
government itself has promised to
cast aside every weight and the mon
etary sins that do SO easily beset it,
SO as to give added confidence and
strength to this expression of the ma
tional will. It is an extraordinary
change to have come 50 suddenly over
the spirit of the country's dream.
Skeptics may raise many doubts
and questions. II it is only necessary
to say in a loud and universal voice,
GO to, let us now restore prosper
ity," why was it not done before? To
get thing simply by strongly willing
to have 1t seems too simple a formula.
It IS true that great philosopher de-
scribed the whole world as little more
than a result Of WILL" but that con-
ception has hardly passed out of the
still air of delightful studies into the
hard realities of practical affairs. Yet
everybody knows that in the life of
the individual, as well as of the state,
highly to resolve is partly to achieve.
There must. Of course, be a careful
reckoning with the tides that run III
human affairs. One reason why there
has seemed to be delay in coming
to the present unison Of belief is that
the time was not ripe for it. Too
many obstacles In the form of dis
turbing legislation and projected
measures and rumor3 of the unfavor-
able attitude of the administration
have long stood in the way Of this
union OF hearts and purposes. But
now everything seems to point to a
clear field for cooperative and hope
1ul activity. so that people In all parts
OF the land feel that times are getting
better, and that they will soon be
much better, provided every citizen
and every agency Of the government
| put their backs and their wills into
the work of recovery.
It may be said that these recent
demonstrations have already wrought
one form Of recovery. It is the re-
covery of morale. When people feel
better, they are better. If a new
spirit of hopefulness spreads through
many minds, it rapidly becomes In
fictitious. One man catches it from
his neighbor. One business gives it
to another. The thing has to be
classed with the intangibles, but its
reality is not in doubt. No one can
strike his hand upon all the causes
that are making for a more tonic and
optimistic public sentiment, but they
are there just the same. They do not,
OF course, guarantee that everything
Will at once be rose-colored and that
there will be no further business or
financial setbacks. But the new and
brighter morale is already visible and
increasing. It is perhaps the most
telling proof We have that recovery
IS under way. And the strong will is
sure to develop ingenuity and courage
and patience, while we have to wait
for the completed process. It is a
great gain to have got 1t started in
such an atmosphere of common de-
termination. For il that exists, we
know that tasks in hours Of INSIGHT
willed. may be in hours Of gloom full
filled"