The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-03-17

AMERICAN Toys AND TOILET ARTICLEs.-Tbt
United States export more Of the real necessa.
ries OF life, and import more of the unnecessary
articles than any other nation in the world
The very general diffusion Of the means of liy.
ing. and the large proportion Of "well to do. y
people In this country, create the opportunity
for the introduction Of an endless variety of ar.
tlcles which, IN Themselves are simply luxuri.
GUS and eXtravagant Our people are not.
however, SO rich as they fancy themselves to
be-the means Of wealth, or rather the power
of producing real wealth, exists in this country
to great degree. but not the actual wealth it.
SELF A great deal Of money is passed from
hand to hand: the representation of wealth.
moderate or otherwise, is present everywhere
everybody has got more or less of it in his
pocket; it is easy to get it, it is easier to get
rid of it, Things are active here for we are a
young people, and the blood circulates freely.
Temptations abound. graduated to all ranks
which cater to the high and low-to the rich
and poor.
1t is questionable whether the senseless pro-
digality and wasteful extravaganza of the
wealthy parrenu is as hurtful as the tendency
to spend money among those WHO toll at the
lower extremities of life, or those who. fancyinr
themselves by education or position step re-
moved from this. are still dependent upon
trade. profession, or salary for support
The main element Of the prosperity of any
country is its independence in all respects of
any other country-not thatit should be isolat-
ed from all nations but that it should possess
within itself whatever contributes to the COM
forts and elegancies of life. Hitherto, in the
United States, competition has BEEN in all de-
partments, comparatively light moderate eff
forts in almost any occupation have been found
adequate to ensure success. This state of
things has engendered much of the evil of
which we are complaining. but all experience
shows that this must gradually change: and to
ensure that easy competency. so generally
within the reach of all among us, better direct
ed efforts and economy must be exercised
About once in seven years, a panic comes
upon US. Sometimes the immediate cause is
from without, but oftener within :; its effects are
always wide spread. and its influences are Sc
we're from the exposed position in which it al
ways finds us. Our people recover quickly.
but they are never prepared for the periodical
return Of hard times We feel for the money
that we have had, and it is not there: we have
kept it moving; we know where it is, but we
cannot reach it. After little while, we re-
member how we got it, and presently recupe-
rate. We are only apt to forget how we lost it
before.
We began this article in good faith, merely
to speak OF American toys, toilet articles and
trihes, which meet the eye at shop windows:
Out TIE SUBJECT is so suggestive and so peril.
nent withal to the great cry Of the day. that we
have been induced to moralize little upon
some OF the causes that are producing the cry
of light times which is so universal Just
now. For instance. we have noticed this sea-
son. in looking at the display of Christmas and
New Years gifts, an unusual number of arti-
Giles OF American manufacture, of the style of
fancy wares which are generally on the list of
imported goods, offoreign manufacture. some of
the most substantial and elegant articles in
wood, such as desks, boxes, fans, etcetera, to-
gether with an innumerable variety of little
matters, made of glass, leather, and India-rub.
Der, all made at home. This is we'll we have
long been improving in the manufacture of
cloths and other stuff goods. Why not make
since we must have them, all our toys and
trifes. The toilet requirements are heavy
item in this country therefore, let the profits
Of it go among the delicate hands who are seek
ing the coarser employments for a livelihood.
Boston Courier.