Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-01-27
pJJsINESs PROSPECTS.

Tho times are hard business is dull. Is there any
prospect of better daysl We would gladly say, yes,
were we able to say so in good faith. Better busl,
ness times than exist just noto, we do hope Tor and
expect. But such brisk times as we had few years
ago, give no signs Of their comlng-,they cast no
shadows before" Now many and many are iail-
ng loss after loss comes TO this man and 10 that,
and the courses of business al interrupted pcrpet-
ually. The time must come ere long, when the obll-
cations assumed in the recent years of expansion in
business and in speculation Wi DC thrown o , e
aid Of law 10 wipe them OUT We are fast learning
who can stand the pressure, and who must bow be-
fore it, When this shall be fully known-when the
business men shall know who may be trusted, with
degree of safety, then business will brighten up
a little. The necessities of the country will abso-
lutcly require some more traffic soon than is now
carried
| But there is nothing in the state Of the civilized
world at large in our country in particular, which
| indicates to us any very great change such as viii
make business very brisk The world is at peace !:
every nation is producing nearly or quite enough 10
supply its own wants. All the countries have at pres
enl large supply of heprincipal productions oil ag
rculture and Of the mechanic arts Neither the cul-
tvation of the soil nor manufactures seems to prom
Use much profit, unless markets become better But
better markets hardly be expected, because the
producers scarcely essening, while the consul
mers do not increase.
| We have spoken of pe1ce-peace among the nations
as one reason why business will not be brisk -
let us not be understood TO express sorrow for the
cause.
| cause
prices we mean the Temperance Reformation.
While thousands upon thousands of bushels OF gram
were every day consumed IN the ditlleies, the oliec
was to keep up the price of graln and with that INC
prices of other agricultural products Also, while
thousands of men made themselves unfit for labol
by their intemperance, the number OF good laborers
was less, and wages were higher. The cause OF this
change we glad TO see. We are no advocates io
the re-opening of dstlleres, and re-hostng of thu
flood gates of nemperance. II the good reiormn
ton has had small paralyzng action upon thu
business OF the country, Notwithstanding this effect
we are heartily glad that the reformation has occur
red But our joy at that need not blind our eyes Il
| Its consequences.
i The currency Of the country IS much less abund
ant than it few years ago Let politicians dis
, pute about the questions as to the wisdom or ioy
the expansion Of the currency then, and oil the suose
quent contraction we leave these points TO them
But a contraction has taken place consequent!
prices have come down. We see no reason to ex
, pect that the currency will soon be more abundan
!. than now: VIC have therefore no reason 10 snppos
, that prices generally will be much higher. !ndee
we doubt whether they have yet reached their loves
;. point. Those who in debt will fare hard; thos
= who have loaned money securely, VIII hnd them
y selves much enriched by the changes which have ia
n ken place. In coming out of the pressure that Ina
been upon U.S. the rich will find themselves richer an
| the poor poorer.
,ss This however, was not our proposed point.
a meant to end by asking what inducements farmer
n have to cultivate extensively the coming year.
il think prices will be SO low not to remunerate or
l. for hired labor and for purchasing manure
" Those who are nbundantly able may consult the
+, pleasure as to what they will debut common ia
~ mere whose whole property is the farm, must col
- suit their mcans-and such we can not advise to II
y, cur any considerable expenses next sPrng;-lt W
~ be wsest for them be themselves, with their boy
nc very industrious-lut to avoid hiring rs far as pos
BILE, without letting things run to waste.
We are sorry to be obliged 10 hold the views tn
we debut we not able to persuade ours; If tn
auy brighter ones are correct.-N. T.. Farmer.