Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-12-20
Industrial Prosfration


the market, and refuse to go into consumption at
any price. They relatively much cheaper than
he agricultural products of the West and South,
or the raw mineral products OF the Middle States.
Not only are manufactures closed, or run
ming or short tIme and our mechanics and labor
ing men by thousands thrown out OF employment,
but our commercial classes are suffering immense
losses from the stagnatiOn of trade and Shrinkage
in merchant values. The latter obliged to
carry" not only the products OF New England
commerce and industry. but also, to great ex-
tent, those Of almost every other section of the
country. Hence upon their shoulders, the de-
probation in price generally falls. And the sltu-
alton with us is rendered still more severe and
trying, from the ia ct that foreign commerce
and its dependent interests continue In depress-
ed and crippled condition. In fact, the noble
/ race of importing and shipping merchants, once
the pride and boast of our New England seapOrts,
whose ships pIoWed the waters of every sea, and
poured into our markets the wealth OF every
CLINE, are now, alas falling into comparative de-
cay.
during the late war, Involving loss q f3llIoDS
Of capita! not shared by any Other section OF the
country shows no signs of recovery from the
blow. The high cost OF labor, and untricndly pol
icy of the government i'll imposing a tax On ton
mage, and discriminating against sLipbuIldlDg
materials, have prevented any attempt to repair
that heavy loss Our ship yards all along the
coast once resonant with the lively chorus Of the
axe and the hammer, are now silent and SOLITARY
SIS our cYaycYards. The Canadian reciprocity
treaty, which once brought large and profitable
trade to orr seabOard Notwithstanding cheap
lumber Tor snpDuldnG-nas DGfn SQlclualiN 3D-
rogated, aud the raw products Of Canada and the
maritime provinces, which were once sent here to
exchange for West India goods and home
manufactures, now pass by US to other markets.
Boston EOUInlerCiGl DuikcttH.
Mere political reasons cannot account for
the unprecedented reaction going on at the
North. The prejudice to the negro race
and sympathy for the whites of the South
without question, had much to do with it.
and many persons, acting under the i'm
pulse of hostile feeling, warmed into life
by vile misrepresentation of the senti-
ments and conduct Of the Southern people,
have changed their political principles, as
correct information has opened their eyes
to the true condition of affairs here. But
this alone cannot account for a revolution
heretofore unknown in political history
The great change in the sentiment Of the
Northern masses is owing to the fact that
Radical rule has proved a failure. For
nearly three years the war has ceased. and
instead of peace bringing with it the bless
ings Of restored and reconciled govern
ment, reduction OF taxes, renewal Of
commercial agricultural and manufacture
ing press erity, and the benefits of a we'll
governed country, we have stronger sec
tional prejudice and hatred, increased tax
alton and the most damaging industrial
prostration, which is rapidly sucking the
Likelihood from the body polite.
From every portion of the South the
most alarming reports come of the utter
poverty and helplessness of the people. In
few or no portions of this section have the
labors of the year, now drawing to a close,
been remunerative, and the employer and
employee find themselves without means
and without profitable business or engage
ment for the future. Even the stock of
provisions in many portions of the South
is inadequate to support the population,
and with failure of crops, decentralization
| of labor, ami government tax. our people
will begin the new year under circumstan-
ces most unfaVorable. Long before anoth-
or season can return lis the profits of in
dustry, VIC fear the want and suffering in
! the Southern States will be far beyond
| that which has been known during the
!
Radical politics, Southern laloorers, for
merly the most reliable and profitable in
! the world, havo become worthless and TN
profitable, and too frequently prohigatc
and the Southern States, the wealthiest
and most prosperous agricultural country
on the globe, have been converted into po-
litical paupers, and must depend upon the
charities of the world for support
It was not possible for this state Of affairs
not to have marked influence upon the
potently felt, that much of the great re-
action is owing The industrial prostra-
ton at the North is not only making itself
visible, but is increasing SO rapidly as to
alarm the people. The poorer laborers
first felt its paralyzing touch and published
statistics tell with fearful accuracy how
forced idleness is being rapidly followed
10y want and crime. In the city of New
York fifty thousand persons, male and fe-
male, skilled in every branch of industry
and labor, are seeking in vain for employ
ment. The agricultural districts complain
of the same depression. But the manu-
featuring interest, more than all else, feels
this pressure. Owner, skilled artizan and
ordinary laborer, all suffer from this alarm
ing industrial prostration. No branch oil
this great interest bnt what has been made
to realize how disastrously political troubles
are affecting the prosperity of the county.
These facts were 10 sooner realized AMI
the causes ascertained, than sef-interest
Immediately began to apply the remedies
which patriotism had failed to put in force.
Loss of property, stagnation in business.
hungry idleness and future want, proved
more powerful arguments than appeals
to preiudices or threats of disloyalty. The
pocket was open to convictions to which
the heart was closed. Business calcu-
Iations demonstrated facts which political
education would not admit, and necessity,
too frequently the parent of virtue, sup
piled the place of wise craftsmanship.
| The ledger of the merchant and the work
| shop Of the mechanic taught lessons in
| oo1,orn not contained in tho platforms