Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-01
From the Louisville Journal.

TIE Hoo MARKET AND OUR PAcKERs.-The open
ing of the packing season finds the market ex-
tremely unsettled. The reported abundance Of the
hog crop this year, the high prices last winter with
widely differing results to producer and purchaser
still fresh in the minds of both and the late string
ency in the money market, all tend to create a
want of confidence, and to destroy unanimity
between the buyer and seller.
1t is very certain that the high prices Of last
son had no sufficient basis but the result of
brisk competition amongst the buyers, and the
great buoyancy of the market in the early part of
the season 1t is equally certain that the present
crop of hogs is large, though most probably exag-
gerated as the largeness or shortness OF crops IN
this country invariably is. How much larger, if
any, than Of last year. whether the crop greater
than can be marketed safely and proftably at fair
prices are questions which time alone can deter
Inine The point, however, is univ ersally conceded
that nothing like the prices of last year will be ap
proximated; in fact they were fully fifty per cent
above those now respectively offered or asked by
either bHyer or seller. From similarity Of views
even TO this extent, better understanding must
soon be effected; especially when it is remembered
that the lowest figures named by the purchaser
will amply remunerate the producer, and indeed are
rates that few season. since the seller would have
been delighted to obtain. There exist then no
good reason to prevent speedy agreement on the
scorce of prices and on terms to meet the views OF
all parties This once effected, and the season open
ed, the market Is not likely 10 yleu or become
again unsettled.
But still more serious apprchensions have been
felt from the state of the money market. These
aDDrehensions have been much increased by re-
port which has gained currency, OF an intention
announced on the part of the banks to withhold
their means from pork operators. This intention,
if it exists, would most probably apply only to
speculators or to packers from abroad who have
ut, harlS IN tna axptuSi0p of
our own merchants and operators So far it might
be very properly enforced But the lnterdlct can
hardly extend to the packers of our city, who are
an important portion Of its business men, The
known lberality of our banks would preclude this
idea, TO say nothing on the score OF policy, which
would hardly exclude in advance class OF paper
than which none better or more desirable can be Of
fered and which no directory could ever find it in
heir hearts to reject, whatever might have been
the pronunciamentos of bank officers
Yet even if this annuncation is authentic and
should be enforced it would not seriously affect
hackers as far as their regular operations are con-
cerned They are all men of ample means, with
the strongest possible business connections and al
lances and not dependant upon the banks for their
ordinary operations The chief effect of any pres
s,,re Ipon them would be to induce them to make
earlier and more certain preparation, SO that they
yyould be found more in readiness and more amply
nrovided than if they had depended upon the usual
and TO some degree uncertain bank facilities. Such
indeed has been to no small extent the effect OF
mere intimaton of any difficulty. Our packers and
home operators were never better provided with
means as our banks and private bankers well know.
We can see, therefore, no good ground for doubt
or apprehension as to the pork season just opening
Let the farmers come forward and accept price
which will pay them we'll Or, if they are not viii
ling to do this, let them come and pack on their
own account and they will find our packers well
prepared TO accommodate them.