Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-14
COMMERCE, AND THE PREJUDICEs AGAINST IT
FROM HUNTS MERCHANTS MAGAZINE.

FROM HUNTS MERCHANTS MAGAZINE.
We have had occasion very often of late observe, with
much concern that deep prejudice is entertained By
the agrcuitrrss against the mercantile class Among the
former indeed, to be found general dstrus; Of
ca They regarded sharpers, whose lives
spent acquiring knowledge of by which deceive
the producer; who live alone upon that class who
eKs, by labor but by swndng and ingenuity drones
Of society," consuming the results Of the toll Of Others and
yielding nothing whatever to the community in which they
lve We the pained 10 observe this Of feel
Ls, because frequently INDUCED by persons liberal opn
ions in other respects by persons who, from education and
intercourse might be supposed capable Of enlarged
tments With some, may be that envy which invariably
poisons the feelings Of bal the Of others
o Of a the animoses that by those who work
with the hands against those who work with the head is
uncompromisng and bitter. But hope in oil cha
y, that with the msjoy Of persons the prejudice Of which
write does not lie much in the heart msormed
untutored Judgment Now, with regard this and other
Subjects many good people misled, because their per-
sona and business habits conne the range of their views
The horizon around which they look is crcumscbed and
by constantly limiting their vision within sphere
they become mentally nearsghied and incapable Of liberal
opinions. To such persons nothing valuable that not
the offspring Of visible labor. Now that Of the planter is
manual and the products Of il constantly percevabe the
eyes while the toll of the merchant Intellectual and the
result Of IL incoporeal Is gross TO say that
"
Of wants produced by itself necessity for commercial
transactions pointed By Nature. Varieties Of climate
Of products the absolute dependence OF Of country
upon the manufactures staples Of another the conpexon
Of parts Of the region by rivers and Of foreign nations
by seas oil furnishing channels Of communication, and nv
ing intercourse and trade prove that Nature has herself
determined the value and dictated the want Of commercial
soIs II certain that in mans breast she has implanted
the strongest powers and inducements TO this species Of enter
psc and that the eScon of has not only contributed 10
produce extraordinary displays Of individual herosm, but
effected the largest consequences 10 national grandeur and
social advantage. To the disposition for adventure, thus
made part Of naturs the greatest Of the moral
and political advancements Of all ages To il is the world
indebted for the increase Of the number Of the sciences which
have accumulsted until every vocation has felt their influence
and been benefited Ivy their application. To is the world
indebted for the spread Of learning from the confined
centre OF intelligence TO every part OF Europe and Europe
in her turn, for the moral and commercial wealth of
continent
To person raising the curtain which divides ancient from
modern history noble spectacle Is presented in view Of this
subject Let him trace the progress Of beginning
with the humorous voyages along tho coast OF the Medera-
and among the Gecian islands, and the science Of ship
building rom the rude barques Of the early navgaors, and
follow TO the wonderful voyages and magnificent vessels Of
the present day. Let him, during this time, keep his eye
the progress Of nations and the advancement OF in mat
which contribute their social aud individual good He
will see how gradually but wonderfully, the improvement Of
both has followed mercantile enterprise and that in propor
ton as encouragement has been given TO the great
orb OF civilization has rolled and expanded until all va
The same spirited and udicious proprietor also employs
one-horse wagons Tor his extensive lme-works whe ake
three tons on stage Of three miles and hail. geperay OF
gentle decviy with occasional ascents Of one foot IN thirty
which he has placed sandstone railroad with iron plates SIX
inches wde for the wagon wheels The friction break d
mnishes the dugh down any Of the more rapid descents