Hard times

Abstract

Introduction: If the cry be true that we hear coming from the lips of our fellowmen—merchants, farmers, mechanics, and capitalists—it must certainly be true that our lot was cast at an unlucky moment. Hard times, no money, give me credit, an expression too often repeated by the merchant because there is no cash trade; by the farmer because prices are low; by the mechanic because there is no employment in his avocation; by the capitalist because he did not realize all that he expected from his mild speculation. The necessaries of life are abundant, yet we hear the dismal cry of hard times, on every Kansas zephyr that comes to our ear. The United States is richer today than it was a generation ago, not only in accumulated national wealth but in proportion to the people. The laborer works harder, the merchant strives more efficiently, the capitalist makes more blood curdling speculations, yet they find life’s necessities hardly within their reach.