, 1861-01-16

Our Commercial Review published on
the first of January, showed larger exports
FOR 1860 than were ever before made in a
single year from Chicago. But it is well
understood that the graneries Of the West
are still full to ovcrhowing. In many Sec
tons at least ha1f the wheat crop is still in
the hhnds Of the producers, and the corn
crop of the past season Is nearly all to bc
marketed Large drafts, it is true, hare
been made by purchasers from the South
on the farmers along the line ofthe Illinois
Central Railroad, and probably that mar
kc: will absorb most if not all, the surplus
in that section, but this will leave better
market for other portions Of the West.
Millions Of bushels ofthis important staple
are still in the hands Of the farmers, and
will furnish an active business during all
the carly part Of the coming season. Of
pork and provisions there is still large
surplus 10 be marketed, and generally there
is more than the usunl amount Of Western
products on hand at this season, to find
their way to the markets Of the country.
While the West has great reason for
thankfulness to the Giyer Of all good, for
the abundance with which lie has blessed
us, there can be no doubt whatever thnt
our surplus will all be wanted ut fair and
remuneratiye prices, The South may blurt
out her treason to her hearts content; but
she cannot eat her cotton. She must sell
that at some price, and buy our corn, flour
bacon, pork, and other provisions, or she
must starye. There is no escape from that
dilemma. The short crop at the West for
the year 1860 left mcager supply Of bread
stu1ts and provisions in the hands Of East
crn dealers, and we shall have large and
steady demand from that section. And
again, the European orders continue to be-
heavy, and in fact they arc steadily incrcas-
ing. Europe, for months past, and it is
believed for long time to come, will re-
quire large amount Of Western staples.
The footings Of the export trade from New
York show the most gratifying results.
With ths surplus to sell come the means
to buy. Hence tue merchants and manu-
facturcrs Of our city have right toexpect
profitable business Those among our
farmers and business men who have still
hanging oyer them debts, caused by the
extravasance that was rife previous to 1867,
or by the misfortunes which followed in
the train Of TINT eventful year, taught by
the bitter experience Of the past, will ap-
ply every dollar above tic necessary cx-
penscs ofliving to the payment oflheir debts;
but liquidation mud economy have been
so rigid1y the rule 1t the West for the past
three years, that Thousands Of our people
will have the means IN hand both to en-
large their business, and so indulge in
more liberal personal and social e1pendi-
ture
So tar, therefore, as present prospects
will warrant m opinion, there is safe and
L substantial basis for a hopeful and a more
cheerful feeling among the people of the
West. To gire why to despondency be-
fore the political clouds that darken our
Southern horizon would be unmanly, and
betrny distrust in the ultimate strength Of |
our institutions, aud in the wisdom Of that
ovcrrulins Providence who is per-
mitting the -oligarches Of the South to |
show to the world the utter weakness, the |
injustice and the abominations Of slavery.
Let no one atter. reading this article even
If be have themeans1 waste his substance
in useless estragagance Better dcyote
whatever Providence bestows in substan-
tial ipprovsments, on the farm, in the fac
tory Or tbe workshop, IN Forwarding much
needed. public improvements, in establish
ing and fostering schools, and providing
for the intellectual and moral trimming Of
those who nre soon. to take our places in
the actiye Duties Of Life. !. It. Will; need the
e1erh0ns OF our own and Of several sue