The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-12-13

AMERICAN IRON MADE At HoME.-A writer in
the Manchester, Eng., Guardian, complains of the
gloomy prospects Of the iron trade, and says that
unless some Improvement takes place, several
firms will have TO reduce the number of hands and
work short In = time. He says:
The decline in the demand for iron from Anne
rica has been one of the chief sources of depres.
sion. In 1853 4 there was An exceedingly large
demand for iron from America, an increase of one
tnird having taken place In the value of the sx.
ports from 1923. The American crisis of 1854
caused . reaction, which the magnificent crops of
the last and present year have removed The
stocks In the States are known to be small but
Notwithstanding this fact the orders have been on
q scale much below the average This state OF
things has ruled in Staffordshire as we'll as in
these counties, and the important question Of .
reduction in prices will force itself upon the at
tention OF iron masters At the ensuing quarterly
meetings. While bar iron continues At f9 per
ton the iren makers in the United States become
formidable competitors with the English mauufac-
turer; and il the price of iron were reduced to RS
per ton-which will, in all probability. be the ease
at the next meetng-the American demand
would, to great extent be regained. Indeed we
have beard ii contended that the price should be
reduced to 81 per ton. 1t is impossible for iron
masters at the present price of labor and material
to make iron remuneratively at less than SO per
ton. 1t follows, therefore, that whatever be the
amount of the reduction in price, corresponding
decline will be made in the wages of the men-a
step very undesirable during the present high
prices Of provisions
PRIVATE PROPERTY AT SEA In TINE OF WAR
Mr.. Golden has written letter to the President
of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. In re-
lation to Mr.. Marcy 3 proposal in regard to priva-
teers, of which he says:
Now, really there ia no logical way of meet
ing this proposition but by Instant acquescence
and had it not been misrepresented and dealt
with in a fppant spirit by some of our journals,
it must have received unanimous an assent 10
this country as l! has from all parties In the Uni
ted States"
He concludes as follows:
sit is then our interest especially, and beyond
all other countries, to 60 forward in the path to
which the Americans have invited us.
i cannot help regretting, as an EnRlishman,
the next best thing will bs to give It q prompt and
hearty acceptance, and aid in securing for it, II
possible, worldwide acquiescence. 1t is impos.
sibte 70 foreses all the consequences of such a
revolution in the rules Of war. 1t is, believe
the first time in the annals Of the world that the
powers Of beligerants will be restrained and de.
aed In the interests of individuals by written in
ternational law. Who can tell in what other di-
reetiou tho precedent may be followedi Wars
will henceforth partake more Of the character OF
duels between governments than of the old con
tests Of nations
Private citizens will cease to be held response
BILE, or liable TO injury, unless they become par
ticipators in the strife There will no longer be
plunder and prize money to add the stimulus Of
cupidisy to the passions of hatred and revenge;
and we shall have one pretence less for constantly
increasing tho burden Of war navies in proportion
to the growth Of foreign commerce, On the plea
of projecting our mercantile marine These are
some Of the obvious consequences of this proposed
innovation upon the traditions and precedents of
the last century. The mercantile world will, /
trust allow its voice to be heard upon the quss
ton by government and Parliament; and it is in
hope that the chamber will throw the weight OF
its great influence into the scale OF humanity and
progressive civilization that have ventursd to
trouble yeu with this letter.