The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-09-19
TIE LAEuAsTER EEneHn. -

Pu'chasc IN charleston on their return from
New York. But we fearlessly say it, and
we know il to be fact, that some goods
con be bought in New York 90 per cent.
cheaper than in Charleston; and if Charles
ton desires more abundant trade she must
come down. We can give Instances of
proof to show what ws assert
We know q concern which has had the
reputation of selling goods at reasonable
prices Last Fall they purchased 10 Char
lesion, and we have heard number observe,
that "those men had quit selling goods as
cheap as they used to-" They did not mark
goods at higher rate of profit, but they
cost them higher. Dry goods, Shoes hats,
Straw goods, groceries, crockery, will do
very well in Charleston, but medicines, hard.
ware, books and stationary, and fancy arti-
ticIcs generally, are entirely too high. or
were year or two ago. There are
other causes which act most disastrously
upon Charleston. Formerly the country
merchant passed through the city on his
way North. The drummers had chance
at him, and frequently he was induced to
make h's purchases there. We have known
country merchants to leave home with the
intention of going to New York, and pur-
chasing in Charleston.
In the first place, she committed the most
palpable error, when she refused to build
the Railroad to Wilmington. As we have
observed, when our country merchant pass
ed through the city, there was n chance of
his purchasing his stock there; ut ali events
he invariably purchased part; he bought
his groceries and crockery. Now, Charles
ton loses that trade, for they find it cheaper
to buy in Baltimore than to go so much out
of their way. In another respect does Char
lesion drive away trade which should flow
to her. The Railroad fare is too high
She should build another road to Columbia
and Hamburg, which would reduce the
price and Increase travel. Establish duilv
line Of steamers to New York, and make the
city as much n thoroughfare arc possible
She has committed agrievous error, and she
must seek to repair it as much as possible.
In another respect, should she seek to rival
her sister cities, viz by building manufacto-
ries. Arc there no poor persons in Charles.
ton who would be induced to work in n fac
tory! We see poor persons when we visit
Charleston. Instead of buying umbrellas
and walking canes at the North, make them
at home. You cannot What under Heav-
en- is there to prevent you, Never. never
will the South feel independent, until she
makes an effort to be so. Our most sim
pie manufactured articles, even ground pep
per, spices, mustard, and Thousand other
articles, are produced at Northern cstab-
lishments. There is pital in Charleston,
and il could be employed most proftably,
and until the citizens make the proper eff
fort"to secure the back country trade, so
long will country merchants pass by on
the other side. AS the matter now stands,
the best thing Charleston can do is to Of
fer Inducements, which will attract her
own legitimate trade. Sci! goods low
We hope our country friends will give her
a trial this fall. There is no doubt but
she is beginning 10 find out her error, aud
pursue the proper policy. The Charles
ton wholesale merchants occupy high
position in the Commercial world. lnstan-
ces have come to our notice where Ion
ger indulgence has been given to country
customers. than any Northern concnrnS
would. This is commcndablc trait, and
we would like to see Charleston occupy
n more prominent position. Give her n
call this fall and judge for yourselves.
A small stock, say three or four thous-
and dollars, we are sure would not war
rant Il trip North. The extra expenses
would moe than eat up the overplus
urOfit