New Orleans daily crescent., 1859-11-16
XII.
Nt(u ORLEANS Qailp Crescent.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 1c, 1853.
A FEW WORDS.


FEW WORDS. ~
In an article published few days since we took
occasion to discuss the interesting matter suggested
by the question propounded in a Northern journal
viz. What would become of the trade and com
merce of the North in the event of dissolution Of
the tie of union which now identifies our CONNER
cal interests? BY fact and logic we have clearly
demonstrated that the act of dissolution of the ex-
isting federal compact would be the act of annhi-
latlon OF the commercial prosperity of the North.
Since then the mails have brought us statistics of
trade returns, for period Immediately past, which
enables US to add figures to facts and logic; and
though, in vcntiatng the subject we may tread
nearly the same track we have pursued before, we
are mindful of the saying that F" a good road can
not be too often travelled"
Our touching on these delicate subjects of dis
cussion must be taken as evidence that the times
are out Of joint and not ourself. The times
out of joint, indeed, and none can tell what day
may bring forth. The development of events may
at any time force tremendous issue upon the
country, and we hold it to be the duty of the jour
nalists to arm the public mind with all the peril
nent Information which he has at command, and
not to shrk from this duty because the risk is in
cured Of offending cherished and to a degree
mendable prejudices which may be common to
many. Political opinions cannot be transmitted
from father to like the moral law, for while
this is as immutable the laws of the Meles and
Persians,' and stands in all times and circum-
stance, those must with chameleon.like adaptable
ity, take the color of events on which they turn.
We claim to be true conservatives, not self-styed
conservatives that commit the error of conceiv-
ing political opinions to be principles - moral
principles-whereas principle is but the great
basis Of opinions. The great and simple prin-
ciple of right wrong is the only and true
basis of political opinions; and one party con-
ceives this to be right and another that to be right
their politics are simply matters of opinion, and to
these opinions is absurd to cling when the course
| of events shifts the foundation on which opinions
are based-the great principle of right VS.. wrong.
Opinions founded on the past status of right VS..
wrong can, then, no longer stand than could the
superstructure of house from beneath which the
foundation had been removed. All that our faith
ers could hand down to us was the principle of
right-and what is politically right in our day
| events determine, as they did in theirs; and opn
IONS which are politics, we must make for our
selves. We cannot inherit these from past gene
rations, though We may respect those that were
| entertained by them.
may occur. in which political opinions may melt
away and be resolved to the original elements of
| principle in the fervid blast of events, we have
deemed it our duty to look ahead and endeavor to
select the ground on which to properly stand in the
| emergency. If the North violates the terms of
compact by which she is married to the South, and
| is faithless to the conditions of federation to an
unbearable degree, it may be necessary for the lat
ter to abide the extremity of the issue forced upon
her; and, that he may decide on his course intel
| gently, we would have every Southerner know
exactly in what respects dissolution may or may
not be edisadvantageous, though are free to con.
fess that in sitting the matter in all its social poti.
| cal and commercial bearings have not yet
| arrived at conclusion which may be classed under
the disadvantageous head. Socially and politically
the matter commends itself to all upon its selfevi-
| dent merits. Commercially, its consideration de-
mands study and research, facts and figures and of
| these as we remarked, we have heretofore given
not few and propose to add few more, in brief
From the first OF January last to the first of No
| vember instant, the importations at the port of
New York amounted to s2ll 1862 JIG. These were
imports for the consumption of the whole country,
for the North does our importing for and pockets
the profits. And what did the North supply in the
way of exports to pay for and balance accounts
with these imports? A mere bagatelle, compare.
lively. There were exported in the same time from
New York, sd, 1854 in produce and s63 27O GA
in specie-total s1ls,005 227, leaving balance of
imports against New York of 1913 1856 ,ss9 But this
exhibit does not show its face the worst of the
case for the North, from the fact that large nor
ton of the exports, both of produce and specie
given, were from the South-partcularly the specie
W ia yya eratf fror e.,
One item of the produce expectation from New
York, included in the above is sS 900 900 worth of
| cotton bales; another, 81 ,OOOO worth of naval
stores; the amounts of rice, tobacco and other
Southern produce which found exit via New York
| are not given. Now if the South were driven from
the Union New York could no longer call on
her to pay her balances, and how would she settle
up this more than hundred millions which stands
against her as the fruits of her ten months opera
tons? General bankruptcy would plunge the
whole North in distress. A vast item of profit too
which she would lose, would be the many millions
which is annually drained from the South to nav
her Ter handling our money and produce, and which
pullds up her great and fourshing cities. 1t would
build up our seaport cities instead.
But enough. We are no ultra progrcssionist
We are not arguing either for or against dissolu-
ton. we are merely discussing in its present bear
ngs an issue which is not yet vitalized to practical
existence, that we may not be wholly unprepared
With opinions when it springs to life. We bow
with all respect to, and deeply feel the force of
that traditional devotion to the Union which
Heaven help us, is now the ruling principle that
seems to keep together the reeling and wrthng
commonwealth of this confederation. We are
born brothers, but the time may come when the
family OF States may prove too large and diyersi-