The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-09-22
Condition Of the Co,u,trp.
A CHEERING PROSPECT,

Ever and anon we hear some croaker pre-
dict that we are on the eve of some great com
nicrcial crisis. Ask for the reasons, and it is
impossible to obtain them. The general re-
ply is-there is no long lane without turn
ing, or in othcrlwords. that the Republic has
prospcrcd for so many years. that some dSaS-
tiers must speedily take place. 1t is never
thelcss nndcniable that all the leading branch
cs of trade, commerce and manufactures are
in sound, wholesome and thriving condition.
The crops are abundant, our manufacturing
establishments are all busily employed. the
Fall trade is excellent, our railroads never did
better business, the leading hotels Of the
Atlantic cities are throngcd, gold continues
to pour in by millions from California, and
mechanics and day-laborcrs are constantly
engaged, and at high wages. These are Ger.
tainly all wholesome indications. 1t is true
that there are many individual cases OF cx-
travagancc in living, and it cannot lie denied
that much fcvcrish excitement exists among
bold and dashing Spectators. But these cir
cumstanccs have little or nothing to do with
the general courses of trade, and the onward
career Of the Rcpab!ic. There has been no
failure of the corn crop, more OF the wheat
crop, and none of the cotton crop. On the
contrary, all these products have realized,
and arc likely to realize the expectations OF
the sanouinc. True, the prices OF every des-
cription of grain have declined. anI yet the
country in consequence of the abundance Will
realize, by her experts of the surplus I'll I'M
mcnse sum beyond ordinary seasons. The
National Treasury too. is full to ovcrfiowng.
we are at peace with all the world, and des-
pite the momcntary estrar,cc'ncnts that &C.
casionally occur. it is to be hoped that we
shall so continue for many years to come
Throughout the length and breadth Of the
land, we are at this moment afflicted with no
great calamity We except the pcstilence in
Virginia. The States that were some years
since in bad credit, in consequence OF their
failure to liquidatc their Indebtedness, have
most of them recovered the reputation that
they had lost for time, and the few that
are still remiss, will in the end be induced,
by the force of public opinion and moral OBJ
legation, 10 follow in their footsteps. Surely
then, we have every reason for congratula-
ton, hope and confidence. rather than for
croaking and dependency. As nation we
are emincn,ly prosperous, and the future is
rich in promise ofturther and still more rapid
advancement. 1t is long time indeed since
airy of the great cities of the Union have suf-
fcrcd by All. overwhelming cont'agration.'
Fires occasionally occur, rs those which
have recently taken place. But the system
OF insurance is so general, the loss TO iiitlivi-
duals is in most cases comparatively trliilng.
In relation to Philadelphia, there is indeed
every cause for congratulation. The city has
improved more rapidly in the last five years,
than within any similar period for halls CEN
fury. This is perhaps, more apparent to
strangers than to old residents. What takes
place gradually and daily, Immediately be-
fore our eyes; docs not strike us with the
same force that the accumulated work docs
to strangers after an absence of years. For
example, the editor of the Erie Gazette, who
recently paid us visit, says in n late letter !:
"Philadclpha is advancing rapidly. Its
borders have extended astunislilngly since
last visited it. Large three and four story
brick blocks now fill up many Of the lots in
the direction of the Schuylkll which were
then vacant. This, in the absence Of other
evidence, argues u material increase Of BUSH
ness. A gentleman long connected with
heavy Commission House OH Broad Street,
Informs me that the impetus communicated
to the commercial and manufacturing inter-
csts of the city within the last two years is
unprecedented in its history. He snys every
business man feels it, and every one is appro-
prating cor cUurse) TO himself the utmost
possible me assure of desirable benefit. | am
free to say, that feel proud OF the metropo-
lis Of my native State"
But when we commenced these rambling
spcculations, VIC merely intended to direct
attention to some facts and figures on the
condition and prospects Of the country, as
grouped together by the intelligent editor of
the Cincinnati Railroad Record. lie, alluticS
as we have done, to some of the croakcrs of
the day, admits that there has been OVERHEAD
ing and extravaganza in some cases. but con-
tends, nevertheless. that more solid pros
pcrity never existed in any country than ex-
lists in ours. lie also alludes to the condi-
ii IN OF affairs in 1916 and 1886. and SUNS up
his views of the national prospect thus
"l.-In 1876, and in 1886, the money OF
circulation was m"s.ly paper: which. if not
redeemed in specie, was comparatively
was to coin, as J to l: and in 1886. it was
difference is immense. In 1916 the coin in
the country was only Ct 100000: in 1885,
s2s 600, 900: but in 1855. the coin and bull
lion is, at least 100000! The coin in
the country is actually S2O,000,O0O more
than it was year since. The paper and coin
circulation of the United States now equal
three hundred and twenty millions or about
IL to Of the population. In this state of
things. it is utterly impossible that the cur
rcncy should not continue sound and safe.
This takes ont one Of the greatest evils of
1916, and 1886.
2.-Thc heavy crops. and fair prices OF
those crops. enable the farmers to make ready