The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-11-20
Commercial Growth and Greatness
Of the West,

Oh the WeSL
We extract the following very inter-
esting data from an Address delivered
by Judge Hall, of Cincinnati, before
the Young Mems Mercantile Library
| Association Of that city:
| By our own united exertions, we have
now actively employed in the trans
portation of passengers and merchan-
die, more than five hundred steam
boats, worth ten millions Of dollars,
having the capacity of one hundred
thousand tons, and plying upon a con-
nected chain Of river navigation oil
twelve thousand miles in extent.
The value of the exports and imports
floating on the Western waters annual
w, has been estimated at two hundred
and twenty millions Of dollars, consist
ing of the products of the soil and man
ufactures, on the one hand, and the fa-
brics of foreign countries upon the 9th.
er, all bought with the money Of our
merchants, and by them thrown into
the channels of trade.
If the mercantile class had rendered
no other service to our country, than
that of introducing and fostering the
agency Of steam in navigation and man.
|ulactures, they would have entitled
themselves to more lasting gratitude
and honor, than the most illustrious
statesman or hero has ever earned from
the Justice and enthusiasm of his coun.
try.
! Previous to the year 1917, the whole
commerce from New Orleans to the
upper country, was carried on in about
twenty barges, averaging one hundred
tons each, and making but one trip in
the year, so that the importations from
New Orleans, in one year, could not
have much exceeded the freight brought
up by one of our largest steamboats, in
the course Of the season. On The up
per Ohio, there were about one hun
dred and fifty keel boats Of about thirty
three tons each, which made the voy.
age from Pittsburgh to Louisville, and
back, in two months, or about three
such trips in the year. That was
about thirty years ago, and need not
pause to enquire what would have been
the probable condition of our country,
at this time, had our commerce con.
tnued to be dependent upon such inef-
ficient means of conveyance.
The pioneers were a noble race, and
we'll did they discharge the part assign
ed them. They led the way into the
wilderness. They scaled the ramparts
of the Allegheny mountains, that SEEM
ed to have been erected as barriers
against the footsteps of civilized men.
They beat back the savages and pos.
sessed the country. Their lives were
full of peril and daring; their deeds are
replete with romance.
The farmers who have subdued the
wilderness, are hardy and laborious
men, who have been we'll designated
as the bone and muscle of the country.
They have cheerfulIy encountered OBJ
stacles from which less resolute body |
of men would have shrunk in despair,
and have won the fruitful fields which
they possess through tolls and dangers
such as rarely fall to the lot Of the hus-
bandman.
But without detraction from the me-
rits Of either Of these classes, what
would this country have been now,
without commerce.! Suppose its rural
population had been left to struggle
with the wilderness, without the aid
of the numberless appliances which
have been brought to their doors by
the spirit of trade, to what point would
their population and their prosperity
have risen? Without money, without
steamboats,, canals, railroads, turnpikes,
and other facilities for transportation.
what would have been the destiny OF
our broad and fertile plains!
Desert and blooming, they would
have sustained scattered population,
rich in Aocks and herds, roaming,
pastoral people, whose numbers W would
have grown by the natural increase;
while the country would have remain |
ed unimproved, and its rich resources
locked in the bosom OF the earth. But
commerce came, bringing them mar
ket for their products, offering rich re-
wards to industry, and stimulating la
Dor to the highest point Of exertion.-
She brought with her money, and the
various representatives of money, es.
tablished credit, confidence, commercial
intercourse, united action, and mutual.
ty OF interest. Through her influence
the forests were penetrated by roads,
bridges were thrown over rivers, and
highways constructed through gloomy
morasses. Travelling was rendered
easy, and transportation cheap
Through this influence the earth was