"In this country," said Daniel Willard the other day, "we have everything we need. We have not been crippled by war. We have not passed through any disasters. We have not lost a million men. We produce more than any nation in the world. We are the richest country on earth and have the smallest debt. What reason can there be for pessimism?"

These are rock bottom truths of the American situation of which we are reminded again by the report of the department of agriculture. In this report we have a picture of the vast fecundity of our country, the depth of its resources of wealth. The crops have been enormous, their value being about nine billions of dollars.

That is a shrinkage of five billions from last year, but it is an enormous total. Why not think of that? The drastic deflation is painful. In some cases it cuts to the quick, but after all the basic strength of the country remains the same, and in that is the welfare of our people year in and year out.

Mr. Willard is right. Americans ought to be thankful for their lot and confident even in the midst of difficulties and losses. We have now a plenty, but they will be overcome. The restorative powers of the country are unparalleled and they have not been impaired. --Chicago Tribune