Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-05-21

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unenunerated articles, amounted, in the several
years, to the following sums, viz.
In 1890 S27,7iGf52
1904 353423lG
1907 S3,i65, 1851
Coming up, now, to our own times, and taking,
the exports of the years 1921, 1922, and 1925.
of the same articles and products, at the same
prices, they stand thus:
In 1871 S45,643,I75
1872 43,782,235
1898 5000, l9I
Mr.. Speaker has taken the very cxtraordina
~ year of 1903, and, adding to the expectation
of that year, what he thinks ought to have been
a Misrepresentation, in proportion tothe increase
of our population, he swclIs the result to a mag
ntude, which, when compared with our actual
exports, would exhibit great deficiency. But
is there any justice in this mode of calculation,
In the first place, as before observed, the year
1903 was year of extraordinary expectation.
jy reference to the accounts, that of the article
of flour, for example, there wss an expert that
year of ,300,G00 barrels; but the very next
year it fell to see, 900, and the next wear 10 7Oo
900. In the next place, there never was any
reason to expect that the increase of our
exports of agricultural products, would keep
pace with the increase of ourp population. That
would be against all experience. II Isl indeed,
most desirable, that there should be an augmen-
ineRtcd demanded for the . oductS of aoricuI-
ture; bat, nevertheless, thc official returns of
our exports do not show that absolute want of
all foreign market, which has been SO strongly
stated.
But there are other means by which to Judge
Of the general condition OF the people. The
quantity of the means of subsistence consumed;
or, to make use of phraseology better suited
TO the condition OF our own people, the quantity
of the comforts of life enjoyed, is one Of those
means. 1t SO happens, that it is not SO easy in
this country, as elsewhere, to ascertain facts, of
this sort, with accuracy. Where most OF the
articles of subsistence, and most Of the comforts
of life are taxed, there is, of conrse, great IA
City in asccrtaining, from official statements the
amount of consumption. But, in this country,
most fortunately, the Govcrnmcntne neither knows,
nor IS concerned 10 know, the annual consump-
ton: and estimates can only b. formed in anoth-
or mode, and in reference only 10 a few arti-
Giles. OF these articles, tea is one. Its use is
not quite a luxury, and yet is something above
the absolute nccessaries of life. It's cousunp-
ton, therefore, will be diminished in times of
adversely, and augmented IN times of prosperi-
ty. BY deducting the annual export from the
annual import, and taking number of years TO-
gcther, we may arrive at probable estimate OF
consumption. The average of eleven years,
from 1870, TO 1900, inclusive, will be found to
be two millions and a half OF pounds. From
1901 TO 1912, inclusive, three millions seven
hundred thousand; and the average of the last
three years, TO wit: 1921, 1922, and 1923, five
millions and half Having made just allow
ance for the increase of our numbers, we shall
still End, 4 think, from these statements that
there Is no distress which has limited our mean:
Of subsistence and enjoyment.
In forming an opinion of the degree Of Gencr-
a! prosperity, we may regard, likewise, the pro.
gress of internal irnproyements---tlIc investment
of capital in roads, bridges, and canals. AL
| these prove balance of income over cxpcndi
| ture; they arc evidence that there is surplus
of profits, which tie present generation is use
! fully vesting for the benefit oftlIc next. 1t can.
not be denied that, in this particular, the pro-
gross of the country is steady and rapid.
| We may look, too, 10 the expenses of ciuca-
ton. Are our Colleges deserted? Do fathers
| find themselves less able than usual to educate
| their children 1t will be found | imagine, thai
the amount paid for the purpose of education, is
constantly increasing, and that the schools and
| colleges were never more full than at the pre-
sent uomont. l may add that the endowment
ofpubic charities, the contributions to object:
of general bencvocnce, whether foreign or do
nestle, the munidcence of individuals towards
whatever promises to benefit the community
are all many proofs Of national prosperity
| And finally, there is no dedication OF revenue
40 pressure of taxation.
ne general result, tnSreiOre,o Oh lar eXaTni-
nation of the present condition of things, seems
| 10 inc to be, that there is considerable de-
preston of prices, and curtailment of profit
and in some parts ofthe couutry,it must be adj
inittcd, there is a great degree of pccNtjt-y en-
barrdssincut, arising from the difficulty ofpayine
debts which were contracted when prices were
high. With these qualifications, the general
state ofthc country may be said to be prosperous
and these are not sufficient to give to the whole
face OF affairs any appearance of general dis
trcss.
Surprising the evil, then, to be depression
i OF prices, and a partial pecuniary pressure, tn
next inquiry is into the causes of that evil; am
il appears to me that there arc scycral-and, il
this respect, think, too much has been imputed
by MT. Speaker, TO the single cause Of the dimi