The republic., 1851-03-14

The domestic manufacture of salt was In state
of extreme depression, yet we consumed less for
eign salt than had done for years BEFORE The do
mestic production Of sugar was ruined; yet, not
withstanding addition of almost one fourth to
the population. the average import of those latter
years was less than it had been eight years pre-
viously. OF tea consumed, the actual quantity
had declined. SO had that Of pig copper. Coal
had slightly increased, but the domestic produc-
ton ofcoal had been arrested to the extent of mil
lions Of TONS
Such being the state Of trade in the bulky arti-
cles of import we may now inquire how it stood in
reference TO the manufactured articles. The tariff
had been changed with view to promote the do
mestc consumption of cotton. but, as we have seen
the quantity LEFT for export. after supplying the do
mestc market, indicates great reduction of the
quantity spun at home, Notwithstanding the large
increase OF population while the export Of domestic
cloth had increased. Was the deficiency supplied
from abroad! The answer may be found in the
fact that the average import of cotton goods from
1880 to 1894, and from 1885 to lS4l, was each al
most exactly fscelpe millions; while in the two
years ending June, lS43, the average scarcely ex-
ceeded ssUen millions, while the export Of domestic
cottons had increased million. The net import
was therefore reduced ehalf; and there is good
in the Union from l840 to lS43, was as great az it
had been eight years before, Notwithstanding the
large increase Of population. Thus far the com.
promise bill had not answered the effect II had
deprived the planters of rapidly growing market,
and had substituted nothing in its place.
The domestic production of coal and of iron had
for several years remained almost stationary, and
the farmers had been deprived of rapidly grow
ing demand for their products, the consequence Of
which was, that many of them were scarcely worth
carrying to market. 1t may, however, be said,
that they found amends for this in the low price Of
iron. In reply, it will be enough to state, that the
average 900 tons, while the average Of the years
1888 and 1884 was almost $4,000 tons. The con-
sumption of iron had not even kept pace with the
The export Of provisions grew, because the do
mestic market had been destroyed, the consequence
Of which was, that prices were so low that food
could be sent abroad. To those accustomed to de-
duce prosperity from an examination of state
ments of exports, would beg to suggest the con-
sderation Of the fact that, when prices high ut
home and the farmer 10 largely remunerated, there
abroad-littlc produce paying for much iron; but
that, when prices are low at home, the farmer il
badly remunerated. and then it is there is much to
60 abroad, and much produce pays for little iron
tain evidence Of prosperity" lf they prove any
thing, il s that the consumption at home is small
and that prices are low. There is more vulgar
than that which infers the certain existence
of prosperity from large exports. but it 10 an
error common to the whole English politico-
economical school. The average export Of the
three years. during which the whole community
had been given @ the creation Of new farms and
millions, but in 1889 il to $l4 in l640
to Sl7,l96, ,l02; and in IS41 II was $500, ,s76.
In the following year the wheat crop would ap-
pear have been short, for the price rosc and the
total export of breadstuffs and provisions only
$ll,20i,123.
Whenever the export il small wo obtain high
prices Whenever Il 10 largo we obtain low ones;
and yet eminent fnsnciers, abroad and at home,
see in large quantities exported undoubted cvi-
dencc OF general prosperity.
The import of men had ceased TO grow. Tho inn
port Of the raw material: Of manufacture. and Of
raw produce Of all kinds, was stationary. The
power to pay for foreign manufactures was ra-