New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-03

v,s still further enhancement of price; and,
when a certain point WAS reached, thcse stocks
were forced again upon the market to realize the
pro6t, the reaction was inevitable, and prices fell
1t is only tie history Of the ordinary ebb and flow
of the tide on TIE Stock Exchange which marks all
seasons Of great activity. The election has been
used BY interested parties to influence the result
precisely as war news from Europe might be used
for the same purpose, but even with le'd etect.
When on Wednesday or Thursday next it shall DO
positiyely known that Mr. Lincoln is chosen Presi-
dent, tie perturbed waters will again subside aud
flow in their usual channels.
1t is idle nevertheless, to attempt to dsguso
the fact that the excitement of the public mind at
this moment crippleS trade, and has been used,
with some success to influence, for the past fort
night affairs in Wall street. Should that excitement
continue with all its attending doubt as to the
future, which, however ill-founded, certainly
exists in the minds of the thoughtless and the
tmid, and to some degree affects the better judg-
mebt of the wise, the consequences would be dis
astrous These must follow, should there be no
choice of President by the people, and the question
of election be thrown into the House of Representa-
tves at Washington to be baloted upon and
wrapRled over all Winter. Merchants do not need
10 be told that commerce never fourshes In times.
of public turmoil. This country was never In
more hourishing condition than at this moment,
and only needs peace to yield golden harvest in
every branch of industry. The golden harvest
stands ready for the sickle, but it can
not be reaped while the farmer stands
doubtful of a coming tempest, and uncertain
whether the next thunderbolt may not spread wide
coDHagration among his barns and granaries. He
must wait till the storm is over, watching mean
while the rain beating bis grain TO the earth
sweeping away his hopes of prosperity and wealth.
and destroying his years labor. For hun, per-
baps, the one lost opportunity is ruin forever
How many merchants among us are at this mo-
ment in precifely this position They have waited
three years to retrieve their fortunes. They have
improved the seedtime; returning prosperity to
the country invites them to golden harvest A
storm of four months of public commotion, want
of public confidence, continued threats of dis
union, continued Defiance the excitement Of Con-
gressional broiIs, an unsettled Government, uncer-
tainty of the future-all compel them to stand
idly with folded hands, and their oppor-
unity escapes them. Are our merchants ready
for this A stringent money market, feverish
stock e1change-credit impsired-a sluggish
trade-reluctant buyers-the dust accommodating
upon laden shelves-warehouses quiet-ships
idle-bsnks suspciOus-aI the influences that
wait upon season of doubt and disaster, upon
crippled commerce, upon misplaced confidence,
and upon shattered hopes-are they ready to en-
counter these1 Such, we fear, await them should
the result of Tuesdays election be the postpone.
ment of the ve1ed question of election till the 4th
of March next. That result may depend upon the
votes of merchants of this city, and it is for each
of them to decide, far as his personal efforts can
do so. whether he will choose peace and plenty,
tranquility and trade, or perturbation and panic,
disturbance and distress.