The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-25
Injurious Effects OF the Kansas Discussion
In COnKIess upon IlsslustnY aud Trnsle.

The uncertainty in which the settlement of
the Kansas question by Congress is involved is
| producing disastrous delay in the rc-establish-
ment of industrial enterprises and the revival
of business, as well as upon the necessary treat
| ment OF our foreign relations, and leads every
one who bases his hopes for the future upon
anything more stable than political agitation
TO desire an early settlement of this now profit
less dispute.
A critical examination Of the causes of our
recent commercial disasters shows beyond q
doub, that the excitement created last year by
politicians and Spectators ia Western lands.
county seats, Mlneols grants, and such scheming
devices, had very prcjudiciai effect upon the
general business of the country. In order to
cover up their own ubiquitous tracks, they en-
dcavored to set the whole country by the cars;
and they did succeed in infusing doubt into the
minds Of many cautious business men as to the
trustworthiness Of their correspondents in
this or that section Of the Union; and thus
by increasing the general distrust. aud
adding to it the element Of political instability
they contributed largely to swell the tide of
disaster and ruin. While men who are looked
upon as leaders among the people we're preach
ing hatred and war by the North against the
81 nth, the merchants, who held notes 20 the
amount Of millions, given by traders In the
South, began to look with doubt upon their
ability 70 pay, while these, adding a political
hatred to their motives for action, found in 1t
another excuse for delay in meeting their liza.
bli,ies
But though the political agitation had thus
no small ratio in the cumulative Causes Of the
late revulsion. the efforts of factious dema-
gogpes are exercising a much more powerful
influence in preventing the natural revival Of
enterprise aud trade which should follow our
recent reaction. by endesvoring 10 keep up
sectional agitation, TO set the North against the
South, 10 infuse into the West and Northwest
the doubt whether their geographical position
and means Of communication connect them with
the South or the North, by fostering q spirit of
hostility between one extreme and another they
engender doubt in all men's minds as to the
result of any enterprise that presents itself
The natural timidty which belongs to capital
induces 1t at once to refrain from any invest
ment where political rancor or possible domes-
tic discord may interfere to prevent its return.
The merchant who bases his enterprises upon
the usual obligations Of credit will not sdven-
ture in any undertaking where the natural
course Of things requires long time to run. 70
long a. the politicians can keep the country in
ferment and present the slightest chance Of
setting people by the cars
In the same way this agitation Of the Kansas
question in Congress is affecting every branch
of industry, both North and South. Peoples
minds are turned to creating rivalry in trade
and production, rather than that mutual de-
veopement for which tho soil climate and labor
Of each is best adapted. The Southern planter
is instigated to take his negroes out Of the cot
ton field and put them into cotton factories
while the Northern farmer is sent of on a wild
| goose chase after sugar from sorgho, or some
other fancied conflict with Southern production
These are the peculiar fruits of the political ag
tation which has been stirred up among us for
the last few years, and which few factious
demsgogues in Congress are still striving TO