, 1860-02-20

--t----V-O-~ --.-@
January FOR our merchants and manufacturers
to post up their books. and they are now pre-
pared to study the prospects o! trade for the
coming season. We are in the third year
] since the memorable crash Of '17, and the
Judgment Of c.. eurcwdest men has assigned
."'s wluter as the period from which W" .-...'
expect general business tn ~--t'e. Nearly all
tic dc1.art,ataas Of mercantile traffic have
'.:,clcd substantial basis. Steady prices
and regular demand, with prompt pay, are
the essential requisites Of mercantile success,
and all these have been characteristic Of last
years business. The ''hard times" have
=iftcd out those who from want Of the ncces-
sary capital or oll-lashoncd honesty were uu-
worthy the confidence Of tho public, aud tie
trade Of the country is now maiuly i'll the
hands Of those who have the means and tile
ability to conduct it.
At the West, great as have been our pros
pcri,y and progress, those who understand
our position confidently expect moro real ad
vancementin wealth aud population during the
next tea years than during any equal period
iu the past. Our railroads are nearly Ill built.
4 comparatively small sum will extend one Or
more lines across Iowa, aud another line will
doubtless bo opened from Cedar Rapids or
LaCresccnt to St. Paul. But the West is now
ia position 10 enjoy rest and increase. TIC
money so layishly distributed by the building
Of so many lines Of railway produced an undue
initiation, both in the price Of labor and Of real
estate. Indeed, almost every thing was too
high. That has all been corrected by the hard
times through which We have passed. Lots
and lands in city, town and country can now
he purchased for hall, and rcgchance for third
or q quarter Of what they would have sold for
three years ago. Rents in Chicago have fallen
in come cases to mere nominal figures, and i'll
this regard orr property owners are having !,
serious time Of it. They lad things Ill their
own way for several years, and II they made
d prudent use Of their immense profits, they
eau stand season Of depression without scri-
Gus Inconvenience.
\ legitimate deduction from all these facts
Is, that now is tile lime to commence business,
manufacturing, farming or apy other Legitimate
industrial pursuit at the West Horace Gree
leg, on his return from his recent lecturiug
tour, told the readers Of the Tribune that now
was tho time to purchase cheap lands at the
Vest Improved farms could be had for the
cost Of tho improvements. These facts are be-
coming known throughout the Eastern States,
mad there can be no doubt that emigration viii
commence rs .oon as the Spring opens, aud
that it will 80 on in a rapidly increasing ratio
for many vears to come. Millions Of acres Of
the best land lie uuimproyed along the line
and within easy distance Of all our railroads.
The fec simple Of these lands can bo had lor
East They will not be permitted to remain
unimprovcd for many years.
The manufacturing facilities u! Cur own CITY
are attracting much attention. We're they
properly improved it would create large and
steady home demand for Western products.
While Chicago buys the products Of our rich
prairies, she should be prepared to furnish the
farmers with nearly all their manufactured
articles from ller own workshops.
Another fact Of great significance in :, re.
view Of the business prospects Of the West is
tho immense liquidation, that Las been going
on for the last two years Is a general rule
our people have put an extinguishcr upon all
extravagancc, and applied themselves vigor.
ously to the payment Of their debts. During
the present year, q very large number Of those
WHO. havc been struggling with embarrass
mcnt, will iind themselves permanently reliev,
ed, and that they will be wiser and better bus.
mess men, there can bc no reasonable doubt.
On the whole, therefore, VIC think the West
has reached position from which gradual I'M
provemcnt may oe expected. 1t may disap
point the hopes Of the over sanguine, but il
will 20 equally beyond the expectations Of the
croakers, who are ever ingenious in finding
o,ncns Of cyi1. But in our Judgment patient
persevcrius industry, never had better pros
pcct at tho West to secu competence, We
might add, a fortune.