The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-12-03
piREcr TRADE Writ fHr sptrit

rcmntks:
"Thc necessity Of making IN cilor, to cs-
tab!sh direct communication between the
Southern States and Europe, vitality evident
ns it is, should inspire us with unccasing
energy. Its accomplishment embraces, to
our eye, the most prominently Legitimate
phase of the independence of the Southern
States. The North constantly refers to tho
Independence Of tho South upon it; and the
Fact that cotton went down seven cents per
pound in New Orleans on the news of tho
New York panic, would indeed exhibit the
South as at least dependent on the trade
regulations of tic North.
Such facts ought to impress tho planters
and politicians Of the South, If they mean
anything, that the subject Of direct trade
with Europe cannot ongross their thoughts
and guide their actions too strongly or too
soon.
1t is simply ridiculous that the Southern
States, which are regarded, to Il great extent,
as the orbitcr of European politics, though
the lives and interests depending alone on
its staple, should be in sucl, position that
the smashing up of the banks in New York
could paralysc its commerce. Let the South
transact its own business with Europe. Let
it not be in the hands of Northern brokers
and joblcrs. Let it not, by this means,
contribute immensely to support an agent
al, ,,,1,., 81, Il
tates the movements of the hand that puts
bread into our mouth, and marble palaces
over its head. Let the Southern men re-
member that the exports Of the South are
more than two-thirds Of the aggregate ex-
ports of the whole country, and calculate
the immense sums lost to Southern interests
and !hc prestige lost to Southern principles,
by not having direct trade commensurate
with the extent Of Southern products.
The statistics of the fiscal year 1866
sc exhibit the total exports of the United
States to have be been 2GG,43s,o5l, not
including coin and bullion OF this sum,
sll7,l7s,954 were exclusively for Southern
products. Adding to this amount, as COM
mcrcial. writer suggested some time ago
S26,333, ,ooo being one third of the forrs,
products and brcads'uhs imported, the South
! will show IN expectation Of SI15,5l 1854
while that Of the North will be scarcely
more than onc-half that amount-s9O .o2G,
S97. In these figures VIC Of course overlook
S7,00O,O0O worth Of raw material furnished
TO Northern manufactures.
Should not these figures inspire the
South to some persistent action? The want
of direct trade entails double loss to the
South, aud O. course confcrs benefits on the
North in an equal ratio. Almost totally
dependent on Northern and Coicign vessels
to export Southern products, we are also
depent on them for necessary imports, the
passing Of whcI, through their warehouses
and ca>h-books, entails an expenditure Of
money which wc humLly suggest would be
to the benefit Of the South if spent at home
In fact, we give Northern trailickcrs and
jobbcrs money TO iudul sc in all the uxurics
and extravaganza which gradually widening
under the influences Of Society" ultimately
ends in smash, the very announcement of
which, in New Orleans, knock terror in the
cotton market.
1t is a reproach to the South that it does
not sufficiently regard its own interests in
this matter Of direct trade. Have we ener.
gy enough, activity enough, public spirit
cnough-in word, have we self preservntive
instincts Of sufficient force to take the matter
boldly and honestly in hand?
Hard Times and Decrease IN Boston,
The records of the City Registrar of Bos-
ton, begin to show the effects of hard times
i'll the decrease of applications for ccrtfi.
Gates Of intentions of marriage. In the
month Of October last the deficiency, as:
compared with the same month in 1856
was between fifty and sixty, and during the
ten months Of 1857, the decrease, as COM.
pared with 1856; is between $50 and, 200.
This decrease, it should be stated, is upon
An unusually small number Of marriages;
i" 1856. which, though leap year, presen-
ted an unfavoraLle aspcctin this particular.
In tho year 1855, the number of intentions
of marriage was several hundred less thai,
in 1851. In fact, for several years, though
the population has increased, the narriagss
have diminished. Another fact is, 5t1iat
persons Of foreign birth made much! lar:s
ger number of applications, though forming
only about onc-half of the population
The time for brisk business at the zReGg!
trar's office in hymenial matters, is upon.
the approach of Thanksgiving and Chnst