The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-20

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DROWNING Men CATCHING AT STRAws.-The
miserable subterfuges to which the republican
Journals are resorting in the "sea OF troubles
on which they are tossed, suggest the image
of drowning men grasping at straws. One OF
them, pretending to be an organ of commerce,
asserted yesterday that section is not king
because some Downeaster says he has discover
ed substitute for it in Canadian flax, from
which he manufactures what he calls "fbrilla,"
Just as if the fibre of fax will not always make
linen, no matter to what process it is SUBJ
jected. 1t may prove to be very good article,
and it may turn out a sham; but it will be no
substitute for cotton, which is destined to reign
king of American commerce for some time to
come, notwithstanding the ingenious Yankee
invention.
Another republican journal of this city. long
bcfogged in the mists of the Minco's elbows,
labored yesterday to show in long article
that the South is of little or no value to the
Union and that ''two Lowells are of greater
moment than South Carolina in commercial az
fairs. and Philadelphia is dozen South Caro-
lnas rolled into one" We would ask what
would Lowell and Philadelphia be to-day but
FOR South Carolina and the other cotton States?
Because Lowell produces fabrics exceeding in
value half the whole exports of South Carolina,
ergo, Lowell is double the value of that State to
me country. Now the difference is just this,
that the threatened loss Of South Carolina has
n. -, 10 nd ~
self has felt the shock; whereas, if Lowell were
swallowed up by an earthquake, and all New
England and her manufactures with it, the loss
to the rest Of the Union would amount to no.
thing. Indeed. on the contrary, a large ma
jority of the people would consider the absence
of the New England States from the confedera-
ton a very great gain. just let Massa-
chusetts propose to secede from the
Union, and she will see whether any
Of the middle or Southern States will
ask her to remain. They could get every de-
scription of fabric cheaper from Europe than
from Massachusetts, and they would get rid Of
the disturbing element of her Puritanism.
There is no danger of revolution and civil con-
vulsion from any Of the New England States
going out Of the Union, whatever may arise
from their remaining in. The Massachusetts,
factories. with the aid Of the South. merely give
a living to their own population. far inferior TO
that which South Carolina gives her slaves
There are no paupers in South Carolina. whose
products not only support her own people
in comfort but contribute materially to
the sustenance Of the white slaves Of
Lowell From a pound of iron, worth a
few cents, watch springs may be manufactured
worth thousands of dollars. But without the
iron where would he the watch springs and
their Makers Without cotton what would
Lowell be and the other towns Of New England
where it is manufactured When the South, in
exchange for her cotton, takes the goods Of Old
England instead Of those of New England, and
at the same time manufactures extensively for
herself, what will become Of the prosperity Of
Lowell and the wealth Of the solid men Of Bos-
toni 1t is only persons whose wits are affected
by their desperate situation can resort to such
fiimsy logic as that which constitutes the staple
Of the republican journals of New York