The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-15

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Meredith's own report, We suppose he will not deny
that Great Britain and the United States are now the lead
ing commercial and maritime powers Of the world II he
should deny this statement, his own report would help
prove him in error, The tonnage Of Great Britain
amounts TO 100000 tons The tonnage Of the
United States. according to the Secrearys report.
amounts to 3,sa4olS TONS No other nation has such an
immense commercial marine either OF these nations
France is next in importance to the United States and
including her foreign and coasng rade approaches very
near this country in the amount OF her tonnage !,
We suppose the Secretary will admit that Great Britain
Is one OF the 'hears Of wealth, commerce. and power
Of The world; and we presume he will not deny that the
United States is another, and WILL in very few years.
De the great commercial and maritime power Of Chrssn-
aom manufactures, with agriculture, have doubtless
contributed TO the wealth and power OF Engla nd and
have furnished good share Of the means Of her exten.
sive commerce But what has most contributed 70 the
commerce Of the United States VIVA, interest bas
provided the materials Of that commerce The Secre-
tary's report shows the fact From that document
learn that Of the $l32 1855 Of articles Of DO
nestle produce exported during the year ending June 3d.
1919. o59a7s Of the products OF agriculture
The products exported during the year. Of the Forest
amounted to $59l7,99 Of the sea, 2547e54 and Of
great basis Of foreign commerce is agriculture Az
rcuure furnishes more than six seventies OF the whole
amount Of our exports to foreign countries In 1885, the
money value Of some Of the lake harbors (not all Of
them) amounted to $685. 29, s2I and this immense in
terna trade is almost entirely based upon the products Of
agriculture. .sF
Now, in view OF these facts, does not the Secre.
tary's proposition appear to be not only unfounded
nd mfr hut oh urd
try has grown wealthy and powerful. Ii has for
eign commerce and commercial marine second only
to that OF Great Britain. 1t may be called one OF the
marts of the commerce Of the world, if the term may
properly be applied to whole country. And yet manu-
features constitute but very nconsiderable item in the
means and materials Of its vast foreign trade In the
internal trade Of the country they contribute not very
large item to the vast aggregate amount Our profound
Secretary Of the Treasury seems not 10 have been aware
Of these facts when he announced his immortal PROPOSE
ton in political economy; for we think It'll destined, like
the problems Of Euclid perpetual preservation for
its soundness, like Euclids, but for its absurdity,
Having disposed, we think pretty efectually Of the
great commercial axiom Of the learned Secretary, we
will now endeavor TO show that neither commerce nor
nor both combined contribute much to
the substantial and permanent wealth OF nation q
agriculture. FIJI y. n. 80, ss.s
What does commerce really contribute to the subsan
al and permanent prosperity Of natoni II will not be-
'ontended that the large amount Of foreign products
brought into this country is much addition ts real
wealth capital 1t will not be contended that the cali
Goes, the silks. the wooens. the wnes the teas the SUI
cars, and the amos, infinite variety of other commodities
imported every into this country much addition
10 our permanent national wealth. On the contrary they
are brought in for immediate consumption The woollen
cloths made up into coats the silks and cacoes into
dresses; the wines and teas drank; and nearly
every other article imported is Immediately consumed.
and its value is eeciuay gone though had been
burned in the fire, with this exception, that many Of the
commodities imported aid and sustain labor the real and
'ny producer OF wealth. for the time being. in producing
more articles OF value. ~, s. $500, 49,.
u is not then, in the amount OF mportaons brought
INTO the country that we find the real contribution which
commerce makes 10 the permanent wealth OF q country
I is found only In the profits Of the capital and labor en-
'oyedreay in the freghis and in the mere business Of
exchange. Commerce is merely the exchange of one
commodity for another Of equal value and merchants
IRE only the agents OF this exchange. This exchange,
the circle OF years. must be equal that is. one na-
ion must exchange only that amount in value Of iis
'wn products with other nations which il receives in the
'foouCts oI tuelr laDor. III commerce were not
hange OF equivalent values in the long rum but on the
contrary, nation to get for the products OF la
or>xhch she exchanges more in value OF the products
other naiions-that is, that at the end OF every year.
here should appear TO be balance in her favor which
would have TO be paid in cash-she would. in the end,
rain the whole world oil its SPECIE and produce universal
bankruptcy Commerce, therefore, does not, except to
limited extent contribute to the permanent wealth of
community, however much contributes its present me-
essities and comforts, and that admit is very great
Nor do manufactures. The manufacturer is pro-
ucer, mainly, OF transient and ephemera articles, par
cuarly the manufacturer Of fabrics for immediate con-
umpton. They are useful and necessary but form no
art oil the visible permanent property OF the country.
hey supply the necessities Of the passing day. and then
sappear. And SO may be said Of the immense amount
the products Of agriculture which 60 into the annual
oil the country. raa siDteea
Now, what does contribute most to the visible per-
nanent wealth Of community is labor applied to
gricuifure-to making farms and plantations OF the
orests and the prares, and improving hem and thus in
reasng their value Farms and plantations and the
improvements which add TO their permanent value. con
titute the great bulk Of the wealth Of every community
There other descriptions Of permanent property.
Manufactures themselves are such but their total
vastly than thar of the farms and ulantnfiona