The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-09
BALTIMORE.
TUESDAY, APRIL 0, 1861.

fore, and by no journal more frequently or zeal
ously than by TIE EXCHANGE. We have long
held TO the opinion that in no case can Bal
timore attain to that commercial rank to which
her central position most undeniably entities
her until her merchants, casting resolutely
loose from their dependence on New York as the
chosen port of entry and departure for all goods
purchased in and produce shipped to Europe, in
augurate system Of direct trade which SHALL so
far as her own exports ard imports are concerned
place her on an equality with any other port on
the seaboard. In the changes which it is more
than probable will take place in the currents Of
trade during the ensuing twelve months, it be-
comes us to take such steps beforehand as will
secure to our city those advantages of which, by
the superior energy and activity of the mer-
chants of the Eastern Cities may otherwise
be deprived. There never was period in the
history of our Commonwealth when the occasion
was so pressing or the opportunity favorable as
Our national troubles have already aliena-
ted the people of the extreme South from those of
the North Seven States have broken resolutely
from their old moorings have abiured their old
affiliations, and have established separate and
independent Republic throughout nearly the whole
nobles and most lucrative staples. Seven other
States, influenced by affinity of Institutions by
community of feeling and principle, and by that
force of gravitation which acts through social
ties and business interests, are gradually drifting
in the direction of those that have seeded, and
no man can predict when, how or by what
means the process of disintegration which is now
going on can be eflectually checked or can point
outthe way whereby reconstruction of the old
UNION can be brought about. 1t is not worth while
to enter upon the causes that have produced this
state of things. 1t is sufficient to know that the
two great sections of the Republic now stand
arrayed against each other, and that the
the revolutionary spirit which has manifested it
self tie Gulf States, and which it was supposed
would presently eyaporate, has proceeded from
words to acts, and now appears before The world
consolidated into distinct Government, with all
the machinery necessary to carry it into opera
uon, and all the wealth and power and popula-
uon requisite TO maintain and successfully defend
It's new organization. These are facts which can
not be ignored, and that they have an important
bearing upon the business interests of this CITY will
not be denied. They are of a complexion, more
over which constrains US to prepare ourselves for
any exlgencies which may hereafter arise, so that
we may be in a condition to meet them and
turn them to the best account. It will not do for
our merchants 10 halt supinely whilst their trade
IS being diverted from them into other channels.
Inc Southern States have long needed some
stimulus sufficiently exciting TO arouse their DOR
mant energies and to awaken them to a true appre
citation of the virtue, not less than the absolute
necessity, OF selt-reliance. They have long been
vaguely conscious Of their commercial vassalage
to the North and during the past ten years have
heiu conventions at various points, for
the purpose of providing, by system of direct
trade with Europe remedy for the grievances Of
which they complained. 1t was not easy how.
ever, to get rid of fixed habits. Most of the mer-
chants are men of routine, and but few cared to
undertake any serious modification of their custo.
mary commercial arrangements, so long as mat.
tiers worked with tolerable smoothness. So they
read complacently the eloquent speeches that were
made upon the subject; shrugged their shoulders
at The formidable array Of statistics that was
brought forward to show the enormous extent TO
which the South had become tributary TO the
North, and how, year by year; Southern COM
merce with foreign countries had dwindled into
insignifcance, until nothing but the coasting
trade remained; and when they had thus
refreshed their remembrance of things that
once were, and had INDUCED for a little
while IN visions of commercial independence, they
quietly subsidized into their customary ways, and
IN due season went North as usual, to purchase
their goods. The Southern revolution has mate
rally changed the aspect of things The low
tariff OF the Southern Confederacy is attracting
Northern shipping to the ports of the seeded
States. AT Savannah, Charleston, Mobile and
New Orleans, but especially at the first and last
named ports, an unusual commercial activity pre-
walls, Notwithstanding the disturbed condition Of
political affairs. Charleston has already sub
scrioed sum nearly sufficient to start a line OIL
steamers, which is to ply hereafter directly be-
tween that port and Europe. An Antwerp YES
sci, with an assorted cargo, reached Georgia in
time for the Macon Fair and on the whole, we
are told, the cargo sold well, and orders
have been sent out for goods more perfectly adapt
ed to that latitude, which will be followed in due
course by similar purchases. These are but small
beginnings, it is true, and if a reconstruction of
the UNION were probable, might amount to moth
ing. But the signs of the times are nevertheless
sufhciently grave 10 warrant US in believing that
whatever may be the final result of our present
complications, the trade with Europe will be more
equally distributed among the ports on the Allan
uc seaooard than 1t has been heretofore. New York
already IS sensible OF the danger which menaces her
commercial pre-eminence, and it behooves us here
IN Baltimore, now TO consider TO what extent we
are capable of availing ourselves of the new order
OF things. Our position on the seaboard gives us
unequalled advantages for extending our business
connections not only with the West and North.
West, but also with the South and South West
What we want--what we have long wanted-is
line of steamers, plying at regular intervals direct
from this port to Europe. We need these vessels
10 ensure The speedy and certain export of the
agricultural products which come to us from the
west anu lhe South-Wes est, and we need them also
Tor our imports. Without such facilities orr mar
ket ana our port must always be subordinate to
that OF New York. With these facilities we sbonld
experience steadily-ncreasing influx of the great
staples of the South and of the valleys of the Ohio
and the Mississippi, and a much more numerous
body ofcustomers for the fabrics which we purchase
abroad, and which we could afford to sell GER
talnly at as low rates as they could be had else
where. Our present position is an anomalous one.
We are placed between two fires. Our trade
with the South and South West, which are our
principal markets, has been wholly disorpanised
by the existing troubles, and unlike New York.
and Philadelphia, and Boston, we have formed no
business relations with the North West, which
might act as counterpose to the slackening off of
orders from the South. We cannot now offer to the
West reliable outlet for the transmission of its
breadstuifS and provisions to Europe and whilst all
branches of trade are paraIyzed an imma,so
amount of capital is lying idle, and is actually
seeking judicious investments A portion of III,
capital could not find better employment Than in
aiding to establish the proposed line of steamers
tor such line once organized, and ENJOYING the
confidence of the pull, would do more to make
our City what she ought 10 be, and to place our
merchants on footing to compete with those of
VIC Noftn' than anything else that coul possibly
be devised.
- -
A.. AID Ohio CANAL.-For the week past
-. A' On The canal at Georgetown were 20.
.:s "'s from Cumberland. The tolls
.scei'ea curing the same period vera 60 ON W.
learn that the navigation con,ipnss 800. So,',O' ne
out. The two upper dams, No. ana through
good condition. The former is said 70 w. ., are In
Il