Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-04-04
The Wholesale Trade of Charleston.

The Wholesale Trade of Charleston.
The business men of Charleston are al.
ready beginning to reap the advantages of
the independent position which the South
has taken, in consequence of the refusal of
the North to grant her constitutional rights.
The results of the last few weeks have de-
monstrated conclusively that the commer-
cial prosperity and political equality which
the Mercury for years predicted, we're not
vain BOASTS. Business of all kinds has in.
creased at an amazing pace ; customers are
throngiug the city from all quarters Of the
South, and the indications are that Char
lesion is destined to become the CONNER
cial metropolis Of the Confederate States.
In dry goods and fancy goods the opera
tions have been very large, and the pur-
chasers, we are informed, are principally
composed of those who used to patronize
New York. One house alone, the business
of which heretofore was chiefly confined to
Georgia, has sold heavy bills to merchants
from Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas and
Texas. In shoes alone, the sales of the last
two weeks have amounted to upwards of
100000.
10 short, the prospects of Charleston
never were more bright than at this season.
1t would be impossible to furnish, at this
writing, details of the great increase of
business which has taken place, and which
is but small part of what may be expected
in the future. Suffice it to say that it is
enough to stimulate the energies Of our
business men.
So serious has been the effect of this rush
of trade to Charleston, that Northern mer-
chants engaged in Southern trade have cir
culated the report that Charleston traders
have increased their prices by adding on
the duties under the recent tariff charged
on all goods from the Northern States-in
other words, that the business men of Char.
lesion have determined to take an undue
advantage of their customers. This is
manifestly so untrue that it is hardly de.
serving of notice, and yet it is by such
means that the attempt is made to obtain
Southern patronage Not merchant that
we have visited has made any such addi.
tion to his prices All the goods received
before the tariff went into operation, are
disposed of at the usual rates. Of course,
vhen the merchant pays the duty, it will
also be charged to the purchaser; and this
is fair transaction. But even supposing
such to be the fact, which We positively
deny, would it amount to reason why
Southern merchants should buy at the
North? We think not. Clearly they
would be compelled to pay duty there,
and another duty on bringing their goods
across the line Where then would be the
advantage?
The end of all this will be the establish.
ment of direct trade with Europe. A Mem.
phis (Tenn., y paper truly remarks:
"The establishment of the Government
Of the Confederate States of America, with
tariff operating upon the importations
frcm the non-seceding States, must have
the effect of driving to the seaports of the
South all the trade of the cotton States,
aud make them great depots for foreign i'm
portation as we'll as the markets of purchase
for the country merchants"
The final arrangements for line Of
steamers between Liverpool and this port
are nearly completed now, and our business
community is ready to support it. This
pioneer line, we confidently believe, will be
followed by others in very brief time
Our largest houses have looked into the
future, and they are taking measures &C.
cordingly. The hardware dealers have al.
ways imported the bulk of their stock, but
in the future they have determined to im
port more largely. The same remark will
apply to all the other branches of trade
One of our largest drug houses has already
issued circular to its patrons on the sub
ject, brief extract of which is subjoined
GAS we shall hereafter import our Euro
pean, Mediterranean and East India Drugs
and Chemicals direct to Charleston, we O.
NIT all such from the list, and until our ar,
raugements are completed, we will procure
them on the best possible terms"
But there is want to be supplied W.
want more houses and more capital There
is room for enterprise and money in Char
lesion. We feel satisfied that it will be
forthcoming. The vast capital of the South
will centre at this point, and her energetic
business men will aid in the development
of our trade and commerce. Charleston
Mercury.
/
Revolutions Of Opinions.
The Albany Argus tells us that Henry
Clay used to say that there was nothing SC