Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-14

lure is lighted up with its eHusnce and warmed with It's
beams.
Agriculture has especially derived treat benefits from the
abos of The merchant To his intercourse with foreign na-
ons the latter not only indebted for nw markets for his
productions but for the introduction reeds and plants
which, though not indigenous climate haze vet In many
instances noony become mattes of subsistence nut Of
aon Commerce introduced the Caronas the rice and
coon q Egyp, ana INTO Louisiana the Of Asia and
upon the bosom of the whole West is now soyn the
wheat OF the East growing abundance in places where the
natural grains of the country be produced al ALL But
the most important of the advantages yielded 10 agriculture
by the enterprise of merchants is the demand created abroad
for the products Of the soil, by their becoming carriers and
opening avenues of trade TO foreign countries
We often hear men indulge in sort Of Utopan specula-
tons upon the subject Of living they say, within them
selves Such persons speak of the happiness and prosperity
of modes OF life in which each would depend on him
self live for himself and cultivate only much the fruits
of the earth would be necessary for his subsistence
Such plan would do well enough in poetry, but for the
realities OF existence Let reflect moment upon the
consequences OF such Quxoc scheme. Labor being limit
ed 10 the cultivation Of only few acres large parts Of the
country would become barren and overgrown with forests
The exchange OF product for another would be longer
necessary The intercourse OF would be destroyed, and
they would sink into state of sehness enmiy, and even
tualy OF barbam and not only would labor be without its
reward but every motive for improvement lost and the mind
return to worse than original eolalion
state OF savage brutality and of mental deterioaton and
consequently OF submission to the worst species Of tyranny
the condition OF every people cut of from intercourse with
that the surplus products of his land be readily
changed for the staples manufactures Of other countries
his ambition to produce that surplus excited his business
enlarges his mode of cultivation becomes improved his farm
increases, he introduces fruits and grains, his comforts
augment he furnishes employment to large number of per-
who would be otherwise idle and he becomes only
more valuable to himself and country but the Of add
ing much TO the of happiness Of those who in distant
regions receive his products in exchange for their But
how could all this be effected but for the merchant, He
who, as were stands at the door Of the nation, upon the
shores of the sea- receive with hand the products
foreign countries while with the other he transmits them TO
the interior of his Who regions in
pursuit of opportunities Of trade and expends his wealth
in the building and improvement of vehicles in which
vey safely and exPeditousy the fruits of the labor Of the
planter and return in exchange for them the manufac-
staples Of foreign nations for the comfort and sub
ssence of his people He who, in ac furnishes the
idea OF netiona credit whose enterprise makes up the
OF na'rons commercial relations and whose integrity is
identical with confidence The reflection very beautiful
and valuable which traces The reputation of nation
among foreigners to the honor Of single citizen and yet
how often has the American flag been respected among
prbaraus, account Of the scrupuous punctuay and
dsvatng rectitude Of the adventurous Yankee trader
Without the impulse afforded by commerce. the sciences of
astronomy and navigation would have remained involved in
The mlsts which for ages overhung hem The first has,
through its encouragement been made to disclose
de in the heavens and in aid Of the last by powers
dsaye in The magnetic needle, have been explored
which thought unirayersabe, and signed
of all intercourse forever Voyages, Of great risk and cf
long-connuanCe, the Atlantic and Pacific
made trips Of safety and pleasure performed in few days
weeks in floating palaces imPeed by which sets the
wind at defiance. Nor has alone been benefited. Ma
TONS in their Government relations and in the entire pur-
suits and manners of their people, have been entirely revou
ionzed through the influence Of the peaceful cong Of
commerce. Through it have been silently forced
to change systems OF Government, from systems of and
conquest to those of the arts Of peace Commercial treaties
have proved stronger barriers than forcaons and
and consequences not only have the nations themselves be-
richer more powerful but individuals have found their
L their
creased and cheapened, in proportion their intercourse with
strangers has beer extended and their products and
facules exchanged To the of communicating quickly
with distant countries, thus the result OF the extension OF
commerce, nations in times Of calamity and famine, in
debted for relief The condition ofIreand, during the past
few years. furnishes satisfactory illustration when,
the full bosom Of the world poured out stream,
without which millions would have miseably perished
Ia regard TO the wealth of commercial men, it would be
just not to cay that IS returned again generously into the
community from which originally drawn. The riches of the
farmer expended in nycsmenis which do not and
not, be extensively beneficial He becomes large land
proprietor, and there he centres his capital But the
chant expends his manufactures internal improvements
railways ships steamboats, all receive his surplus, and in
these greater number benefited than in the
sion Of landed interest Besides the largest donations
made educational establishments have been made by
chants and Of public libraries yceum associations and free
Schools they almost the exclusive patrons. We do
by this assert that planters the promoters
Of learning Of social benevoences but only TO
that from the vocation Of merchants their residence in large
Cities and the absence Of other avenues their wealth
| frequently take these directions
Taking these things into consideration, hope
liberal and enlightened inquiry INDUCED in with regard
to the value Of commercial men, The writer from long
socation would naturally sympathze with the planter but
he feels this tribute due less truth and justice
class Of citizens who do establish nations pios
per and lay the foundation Of her fame for honor than
any other whc without violence atonce her strength
and protection and who contribute the extension Of
the trumphs Of liberty and law than all the military power
ever displayed in