The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-07-28
Views on our Commerce.

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What hold commerce has upon the manner in
which we live, and what effect it has upon the
social intercourse of nations, Gre ideas which
seldom enter into the mind and understanding OF
the mass. Intercourse is the law of the times
and if the inhabitants of the different climes will
not travel, they cannot reasonably expect their
inventions, the products of their skill and their
gains to remain idle with them. Selfsnness is
no part for the people of this ageto enact. Inc
worlds industry is all in motion, traverslng the
mighty waters, and securing the dry LANDS TO ma
its resting place somewhere in the distance, al
though its course may be impeded with immune
rable barriers. Slowly but surely has religion
gained foothold, through the instrumentality
of our commercial intercourse. Step by step
has it advanced upon the social and intellectual
convictions of society till now, in conjunction
with trade; it is exerting mighty influence to-
ward perfecting the reign of perpetual, universal
peace Man cannot serve himself alone. The
world must assist him in his endeavors and in
return he must assist the world. On whatever
side we may turn we witness how much the va
rous nations of the world, whether savage or
civilized, have done for us. If an American CT
tizen had nothing in his establishment but what
was strictly American, what lame inventory
would be presented The humblest peasant of
TO-DAY is no mean debtor to the industry toiling
on the other side of the water We in turn,
send our productions to the world Other ma
tions enjoy our harvests and share the efforts of
our toll, in return for which we receive the la
Dor of their sons and daughters to add to the
comfort of ourselves Individually, and to our
prosperity as nation. Thus is it that COM
merce has become the powerful agent of civil
cation, by encouraging industrious and energetic
habits at home and promoting prosperity abroad
North, south, east and west, become one great
brotherhood. Every year its dominion enlarges
Every new invention is instantly adopted and
used to hasten its benefits Science and art
likewise find reward at it's hands. If aught
was needed to illustrate the increasing strength
and influence of commerce, it's past history will
afford sufficient instances to satisfy the skepti-
cally disposed thinker. The unprecedented de-
maud for ships, has developed the highest order
Of constructive talent, as naval architecture has
risen to the dignity of the noblest mechanism
How truly has it been said, " The frozen mu-
sic may be in the old cathedral, 'petrifed reli-
gion, in the Gothic church; but the living an
them of the world is in the surging sea, as the
strong ribbed vessel sounds it's march through
the yielding waves" The great point ofthe intel
igent and upright merchant who is the represen-
tative of commerce. is, that men are not to be
antagonists, but friends If in one division of
the globe we find a continental climate, and in
another an oceanic climate, the merchant sup
plies the deficiencies of each with the advanta-
ges of the other Mountains and seas insulate
language and religion compel men to dwell apart;
but commerce with charm converts these things
into the elements of genuine brotherhood
Where are there seen so many ambitious-so
many and such eager aspirationS-such conflicts
in passions and opinions, as in the mart of COM
merce? If these views are correct, commerce
is to be regarded as one of the most effective
and prominent results of that law of labor
which Providence designs to be the great means
OF elevating the human race. Thrift, prudence
and sagacity, are here consumated in a direct
bearing on the welfare of society Such is COM
merce as we see it, as it presents the sublime
spectacle of skill meeting skill, art meeting art,
and science meeting science, on one common
ground, and uniting their varied gifts in one
common stock