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Show A RACE OF HEROES President Roosevelt, in his famous, frankly-spoken inaugral address, ad-dress, stated that we are really at war" war with an economic situation such as the world has never known before. Congress gave our president broad powers such as are never used except in cases of national emergencies and the chief executive, ex-ecutive, considering that an emergency exists, issued a proclamation proclam-ation closing every bank in the country until necessary legislation and action could be taken to relieve a tension that has seriously handicapped the national banking situation and which might have led to far more disastrous times. This national emergency has proved that we have just as great heroes as in time of war and every individual has had an opportunity oppor-tunity to prove what stuff he had in him. In spite of the handicap handi-cap suffered by all of us during this bank "holiday" there has been no widespread uneasiness and nothing even remotely resembling res-embling a panic. The public morale has been nothing short of marvelous and a spirit of optimism, coupled with an earnest determination to "carry on" has been noticeable on all sides. The real heroes are men and women who have had to suffer the anguish of seeing their children improperly fed and insufficiently clothed and yet they have, kept their heads and steeled their hearts to see this thing through. It is just a test of citizenship and patriotsm to undergo the privations that have been forced upon them as it would be to face enemy bullets. And there is no blaring band to cheer them on and no higher officer to pin on medals. While we have not felt the slightest apprehension concerning the soundness of the banks in Sevier county or in Wayne county, still it has been no easy task to keep our chins up and continue hopefully, confidently on our way during this stringent period. Loyalty to our home institutions, to our state and to our nation has proved that the American people as a whole are heroes. It is this spirit that makes a nation whose boast is that its flag has "never touched the ground." Now that our banks are open, business is rapidly resumming the up-grade trend that has been manifest ever since our new president presi-dent took the reins of government. We have weathered a terrible storm and truly the American people are deserving of the "bon voyage" on a peaceful economic sea and a safe arrival to the port of prosperity for which we confidently believe we are now headed. The situation here during the past ten days is an indication of what Sevier county might expect if it had no banks. No truer saying was ever uttered than "We never miss the sunshine until the sunshine is gone." Bank's have become almost as necessary to our existance as the sunshine. Our recent experience without their convenience has brought a keener appreciation of these financial institutions on which we are so dependent. In some localities lo-calities bankers have brought discredit upon their line of endeavor en-deavor but this community is fortunate in having executives at the helm who have had foresight, judgment, sound sense and honor. Everyone realizes now that the action of the government was well taken. Leaders of the country believe the climax has come, that the symptoms of uncertainty and the lack of confidence are over, that conditions are prepared for the new deal and from now on business improvement begins. The country breathes a sigh of relief as it turns to the new man . in the white house, Who is showing qualities of strong leadership sound judgment, understanding and a capacity to do things. President Roosevelt merits the united, loyal backing of the American Am-erican people. The spirit manifest by most of our citizens here this week has been that of generosity and comradeship. We have encountered no one with an inclination to take advantage of their fellowman or exercise selfishness. Richfield Reaper. |