Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-07-06
AMERICAN SHIPS AND THE CARRYING
T. TRADE OF GREAT BRITAIN.

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= A number Of people connected with the shipping
trade have been much disturbed by its having been
poin.ed out that under no circumstances could the
general industry of the country be crippled even If
all the powers of continental Europe were combined
against U.S. The shipping trade might be an excep-
ton and rather than to be forced to recognise that
possibility, they would suppress discussion on the
subject. Under the doctrine that free ships make
free cargoes, we should be sure at all times that
American vessels will be ready to bring us cotton,
corn and every kind Of produce, and to distribute
in return our manufactures over every part of the
globe. Our trade of 9250, 100000 sterling annual
value would thus go on with its usual profits, and
those profits would enable to hold out against all
enemies, and beat them thoroughly in the end.
But the patriotism of some ship-owners is not
such as to permit them to tolerate the thought OF
such service being performed for US by the United
States. Better that arts and commerce should die
than they should be sustained any other than the
Rule Britannia principle handed down to us from
duction from their statements. They denounce as
something horrible the idea of our contemplating
with satisfaction that, in case of need the Ameri-
cans could act carriers for U.S. and the inference
therefore u.s. that in their opinion it would be better
to perish than accept such an alternative 1t is, of
course, for the spnners Of Manchester, the cotton
dealers of Liverpool, the iron-masters of Glasgow
and Birmingham the clothiers of Leeds-of all, in
Short who are interested in exports and imports
being kept from limitation, to decide whether they
will adopt this view. If they would desire their
mills and furnaces to remain idle rather than be used
to manufacture goods that must be carried to their
destination in American bottoms it will be optional
for them to do SO. The only result would be that
the American ships, instead of carrying out our
spun goods, would carry out such of the spinners
themselves might prefer to seek employment
across the Atlantic to dying of starvation at home
in testimony of their faith in the British flag. That
some of the shpowners would, in their own case,
think nothing of sacrifice to that extent is shown
by the fact that they refuse every suggestion that
aight mitigate their position.
The remark that If the Americans had a large in
crease of carrying trade thrown upon them they
would want extra ships, and would most likely seek
them in markets, sooner than incur double out
lay in building new ones is passonatey rejected as
an insult added to injury. But it must be doubted
if the feelings of the rest of the community are
equally fervid. While the ship-owner would let his
craft rot rather than take good price for her and
let her pass to American hands, the trader of Leeds
or Birmingham would, tits to be feared sell CLOTH
shot even although he might have reason to sus-
pect they might ultimately be converted into uni
form and ammunition for actual enemy. Per-
haps however, the patriots in question will say their
anger is not directed against the idea that the
Americans should serve us as carriers in case of
need but to the supposition that such need
arise
They may deem the naval power of Britain to be
so universal that wherever one of our merchantmen
might desire to sail the government could spare
squadron to act convoy. In that case it will
simply remain for them to show that foreign ship
pers will close their eyes to the circumstance that
the very fact of protection being granted shows
danger is to be apprehended and that it would con-
sequently be better to choose neutral ship, which
can take any course and is in no danger whatever
We shall then have the happiness of sharing their
convictions that with hostile cruisers watch
ing at all points, British merchantmen will still be
selected us the cheapest, most expeditions, and
safest that can be chartered.-London Times
GINSENG. Ginseng digging is creating as much
excitement in Minnesota as the Pike Peaks fever,
or as last winters skunk-skn traffic. Ginseng is
about the only thing talked thought Of 1t is the
burden of life by day, and the dream by night
The big Woods where it grows are thronged
with diggers who earn from one dollar to four dol
lars and half per day. which is more profitable and
less inconvenient than grubbing at Pixies Peak.
Ginseng, as every knows, is a root which is
exported to China where it is valued at its weight
in gold for its supposed nestimable medicinal quail
tiles 1t is to the Ceestials what DIR. Quackenbosss
''cure-alr' Professor Pilburys universal pana-
cea" might be were their virtues ascertained to be
all that is claimed for them They chew it as mum
dane creatures do tobacco The market price Of
ginseng at the "diggings" is from six to ten cents
| per pound when green, and from twenty-five to
| thirty cents when dry. As an evidence of the ex-
citement which this new business has created among
the people of Minnesota, We copy the following from
the St. Peter Free Press:
About fifty persons left town on last Monday
morning, bound for the Big Woods, just opposite
In fact there is danger of the town being depopula
ted Carpenters left their buildings, makers
their shops, saloon-keepers their Saloons and al
joined in the crusade for ginseng! A dollar day
and board mosquitoes thrown in-is freely Offered
for hands AID everybody who can shoulder spade
is enlisted.
A Faribault paper says that upwards of six ton.
were brought into that town in one week. 1t is esti
mated that some five hundred tons will be gathered
this year, which will not the diggers some eighty
thousand dollars The Minneapolis Journal alst
says that company of Virginians are now erecting
store-houses at various points in the woods ftte(
up with the necessary apparatus for curing the root
The St. Paul Times INDUCES in the following spec
ulations.
:" 1t would seem that there is greater demand
for this root at present for shipment to China tina,
is ordinarily the case hence the high price paid 70
it in its crude, uncured state 1t will prove a sourc
of considerable profit to our people, as there is NJ
uanSer we are informed Dy uealerS, mat the marke
will become overStocked. If two three hundre
thousand dollars be left in Minnesota this year il
exchange for article of commerce which grow
spontaneously in such abundance all through tn
heavily -timbered districts, may thank our star
that the Celestials opposite to on the othe
side of the world have created so large deman
for the pungent esculent. Let them chew away t
their hearts content! Our woods can supply a fe,
thousand of the pigtal gentry with all the ginsen
they may desire for the next fifty years to COME
1t is lucky for us just at this time that this modes
little plant, which scarcely attracts the eye of tt
forester on ordinary occasions, should now step
and perform so conspicuous a part in regulatir
the price Of Eastern Exchange Ere the season
over it will do more in this essential particular tina
can be accomplished by all the shinpaster banke
in the State in all time to come."-M. Y ,Journ
of Commerce.
SIDE IssUEs.-The Standard of Saturday has
very good article headed as above 1t is on the
that the OppOstiOnSts" are 50 ca per that tho To,