Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-11-27
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

1AACSb 4Aouos-h low Noys
occasion to discuss briefly the project OF direct
communication by steam between the waters
of the Chesapeake and England. To-day We
ask the District readers attention for few
moments to a somewhat kindred subject, Of no
little Importance to him personally. We refer
to the question where he had best purchase,
if dealer in any description of imported sta.
pie goods, wares or merchandise? We cannot
for the life of US see why it is that District
merchants go North for their supplies of for
eign iron, crockery and queensware, sugars,
salt, and number Of other important staples,
an immense quantity Of which is retailed here
and in Georgetown. While salt and sugar are
imported direct into Georgetown in large
quantities, they are also imported direct into
Alexandria in still larger quantities So also
are queensware and iron, as we'll as divers
other important articles Of everyday COZ
sumption A friend in the trade here day
or two since bought a considerable bill in Bal
timore, of crockery and queensware, and at.
forwards found that had he tried the Alexsn-
dria market previously, he would have saved
perhaps fifteen per oentum
This case affords a practical illustration Of
what can he done there. And why not! In
proportion to their number, those engaged in
commerce in Alexandria have moro actual
capital than in almost any other American
commercial town. The incidental expenses OF
carrying on commercial business there are
less than any where else, at least within the
range of cur observation; and her merchants
transact business 10 all respects On as accom-
odating terms as any others. The trade re-
sulting from the construction Of her railroads
hes superinduced the habit of keeping much
larger stocks of groceries, hard and crockery
ware, staple dry goods, &c, in Alexandra,
than was customary FIVE years ago; for it Is
now tie mart in which heavy supplies Of such
articles are purchased by up-country mer-
chants. If they can buy there to advantage
instead Of running over to Baltimore, We do
not comprehend why Washington retailers
cannot DO likewise. The truth ia, the custom
of running to the North every month or so to
buy bills of goods, is a SOFT Of inheritance of
our present generation of retailers; being ad-
hered to without thought Of looking nearer
home for ipportations, domestic and foreign.
We know, here and there, persons 10 trade
in Washington who rarely have occasion to 60
beyond the Georgetown and Alexandria mar
kets-men doing extensive business and re.
markable for their thrift. They say littlo with
reference to where they buy, as it is not their
interest that their competitors in trade shall
purchase as cheaply and as conveniently As
Themselves. 1t is our interest, however, that
all in business in the District Of Columbia
shall thrive; for the best thermometer Of the
general and individual business of this region
is embraced in the Star s advertising columns,
to which all have come to look as the mirror
of the condition Of trade and transactions Of
all descriptions between business men and
women and the rest of the world, in this par
ticular region. We therefore deem it our duty
to say to traders here, be sure not to 60 con-
siderable distance CT for your supplies, until
you have satisfied yourselves tina. you cannot
obtain them ON terms to suit in Georgetown
and Alex andria
Secretary MaIcy.-A recent article pub
lished in the Richmond Enquirer, reviewing
Mr.. Marcy's career as the Secretary of State
of the United States, has given rise to much
invidious comment on the part of presses hos
tile to the Democratic party, and to that gen.
t'eman particularly. For, being of very de-
cided character, he has, necessarily, hosts of
personal enemies among selfsuficient and
selfish persons. The allegation against the
article in question is, that it was designed as
Recommendation of his retention in his pres.
ent position under the incoming administra-
ton; which ia but a gratuitous assumption,
the conductors Of the Enquirer being indie
pendent gentlemen, noted for speaking out
their minds on such subjects, when believing
1t to be their duty to approach them
We republish most Of their article to which
we refer, as embracing in afew brief paragraphs
an able exposition Of the great services which
Secretary Marcy has rendered to his country
in his present position, as we'll as of the fame
he has achieved at home and abroad. There
Is not word in it to which al well informed,
sensible and patriotic persons will not sub.
scribe, of whatever party in politics 1t is
manly tribute TO his successful discharge of
his trust, ard the time will come when there
will be meme to di.l ute the truth of all it en-
braces
"Under the administration Of President
Polk Mr.. Marcy discovered n very Gxtraordi-
nary executive capacity. Some people mis-
trusted, nevertheless, whether he possessed the
breadth of view and fullness of information
essential to TIE discharge of tho arduous and
multifCrm duties of the State Department
How entirely this doubt has been dissipated,
and how signally Mr. Marcy has illustrated
as well his profound and comprehensive states
manship, as his unapprOachable power in con-
trovcrsy, We need not attempt to establish by
recital Of his achievements within the last
four years. 1t is enough to- recall his CORES.
pondence with Clarendon, his reply to the
propositions Of the Paris Conference, his dis.
cussion OF Central American affairs, his tri-
umph in the enlistment dispute, his conclusion
Of the Reciprocity treaty, his decisive blow at
the abuae of the Sound and Stade exactions-
It Is sufficient to produce those instances Of