The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-04


spring trade, thus far, have been rather satisac-
tory than otherwise. The effect Of the political
excitement growing out of the John Brown
raid and the contest for the Speakership
would, it was expected, have stopped altoge-
Their the Southern purchases. The non-inter-
course measures adopted by the Virginia, and
recommended by several of the other Southern
Legislatures, Of course tended to confirm the
apprehensiops entertained by our merchants
on the subject. So far, these fears have not
been realized. Not only does the Southern
trade open with its usual briskness, but it is
observed that the purchases are much larger
than those made In any former years. Whilst
Western men are buying but little, the South
ern merchants seem to be investing all the cash
that they can spare in goods which are evil
IDENTIFY not intended for present demand. As
there is superabundance Of goods in the mar
ket this disposition is fortunate, for it makes
up for the falling off in the Western trade, &C.
casioned by the lack of money in that region.
The Southern men have plenty of cash, and,
with an eye to events, they are making prohta-
BILE use Of it. The black republicans will of
course point to the magnitude of their pur-
chases as an evidence of the little effect which
the recent political agitation has produced on
the Southern mind. We are afraid that they
will not long be able to console them
selves with this illusion. The Southern
traders are buying for future and not
for present purposes. They are laying in
stocks which are intended to last them
for several seasons. As the growth Of the ma
tive manufactures by which they are preparing
to replace Northern products will necessarily
be slow, they are compelled to supply them
selves with goods sufficient to last them during
the interval. 1t has become the more necessary
republican Speaker may be followed by that of
republican President, which would lead to
an immediate severance of the commercial
relations of North and South.
In spending their money thus freely amongst
us, it must not be imagined that the Southern
traders are forgetful of the principles which
have been so strenuously insisted upon by their
Legislatures and conventions. They confine
their dealings strictly to those houses which are
known to be well affected towards the interests
of the South. The falling off that is being ex-
perienced in the transactions of the firms which
are tainted with the black republican heresy
will, we suspect, make more converts than any
amount of political argument that could be
brought to bear upon them. Even the hotels are
made tofeel the influence of these political con.
sideraiions Only those houses are frequented
bySouthern visiters the proprietors ofwhich are
known to be conservative in their opinions and
opposed to the disunion schemes of the black
republicans. The new mammoth establish
ment-the Fifth Avenue Hotel-has been one of
the largest gamers by the operation of this
principle of sectional distinction. The fact of
its owner having other hotels down South, and
of his being hearty opponent of all disturb
ing political influences, has filed his house to
overlooking, and enabled him to do prosper
GUS business at q time when he might not other
wise have made his expenses We would re-
commend, therefore, all vacillating politi-
clans who have commercial interests ct stake
to set themselves right on the goose question
1t is one that appeals directly to their stomachs
and pockets, and If they do not endeavor to
repair the mischief which the support given to
black republicans and abolition fanatics has
brought about, it will be too late by and bye
for them to escape the ruinous consequences of
their hesitancy.