Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-12-25
whole No.l517


England excepted. In 1918, the tonnage
OF the Union was but little more than
twelve hundred thousand. Its greatest
increase since that year, was in one. Of
the years under examination, viz: in
1895. The profits Of freight upon this
large amount Of tonnage, the ships Of
the U. States being almost exclusively
the carriers Of the commerce Of the ma.
ton, centre at home, and make q large
addition to the stock Of capital at home.
The foregoing statements indicate a
steady advance in the national prosperi
ty. The reality OF this advance is only
TO be measured by aggregate results, as
certained atproper intervals Of time. ID
isuseful to present such results. They
show the general condition of the coun
try. vI"~ed not IN parts, but under one
undivided whole. They attest the posi-
tive growth Of lis riches, and the rspidi-
~ Of the growth by comparison. They
afford resting points for doubtful opin-
ions. when ali desire to arrive at those
that may appear best supported by re-
suits No single eye can take them eli
in, uaassisted by the authentic returns
which il is the province of the Govern
ment, and chiefly of the Department Of
the Treasury. Ia watch over and pro-
mulgafe, endeayouriug also to trace
them in their causes. A State whose
natural resources and territory are q.
bundani, whose institutions are q free.
and whose interests are diversified, may
witness occasional and temporary pres
sure upon some Of those interests, wbilst
all the great branches Of its industry are
in course Of sure developement But
transient Inconvenience is lost in the
aggregate prosperity, and must in the
end. participate in that prosperity. Il
~ thus that great States. under SUCCESS
full legislation, go onward in their career
of riches and power. Not only has their
been marked increase OF impsrtations
and revenue in the United Stairs during
the last four years, and Of expectation
Of domestic commodities, that like di.
ninution in re expectations. The lat
ter is very striking. and justices the in.
ference not merely Of an increased de.
sire 20 import for the purpose Of meet
ing the contingencies nf trade or speco.
lafion, bat of an increased ability IF in
this country TO purchase and use foreign
fabrics The increased consumption It
the latter, and the increase ia revenue
have exceeded the ratio Of the incresss
Of duties under the tariff Of 1924, and
the presumed increase Of population al
30. The exports Of domestic products
have increased more than four fold fast
err than the Increase Of population. as
given by the census at pefiods the most
favourable. These facts cannot misiead.
They point tn an unequivocal increase,
80 far, in the prosperity OF the nation
Statistical testimonials, for Aingle PEAR,
or for more than one, may rise or tallin
amount, from causes that postpone all
nj conclusions; but where they
are seen 10 GO on an increasing train
succession Of years, il 10
to sscribe them to cause begin
ming tn assume fixed character tive
review the last four years as period Of
time in commercial history, we find lit
tie in the circumstances OF the world,
either from geDeraiwar or otherwise. TO
affect foreign markets beyond the orii-
nary fluctuations incident to trade al all
times. The extraordinary operations in
The cotton market that fell upon the fret
Of these years viz: 1875, are not con-
ceived to impair the applicability .f the
remark, because there has been time
enough for diminished expectations, as .
consequences Of the large expectations
af that year. No term indeed, Of eight
years since the establishment Of the CO.
varnment, has been so exempt from the
influence Of external events that disturb
he regular operations Of national indus
ry and commerce, AZ the last eight
None therefore. could be so fairly taken
Tor the comparative state meuts that have
been aads.
II does not escape recollection that
rom 1874 TO 1915, there were epochs
when the foreign commerce Of the ecun-
ry advanced with even more rapidisr
han is here stated; hen &c was greater.
absolutely, aud therefore greaterin pro-
horton to the population OF the country.
But during that long interval, there pre-.
vailed in Europe, with scarcely per.
septible interruption, desolating wars
which crested an unparalleled demand