Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-03
The Fall Trade aud the Prospects of
Nnehv-iIIa

Editors Union and Dispatch
1t has become a habit with many of our
merchants, when their cooperation is de-
sired in any move intended to increase the
trade Of Nashville, to characterize it as
useless, because there is not any enterprise
or public spirit here, and therefore it is
impossible to carry out any public meas
ure. Now, we are satisfied this is not
altogether true; to some eztent.it may be,
but in the main We hold it to be far from
correct
The merchants of Nashville have had
many and serious difficulties TO contend
with, and they deserve great credit for the
perseverance with which they have labored
to re establish our trade. Many, who were
bat mere adventures, have become dis
couraged and given up the contest. With
| our old merchants it has generally been
different. Their experience has given them
a closer insight into the true situation, and
they have commended manfuly with the
Disadvantages of the past two years, trust
ing that the time was near when they
would have the satisfaction of carrying off
many a prize, which our over-confident
| neighbors and rivals seemed to think Sc
curely in their grasp. Although there are
those in our midst who are still disposed to
croak and predict dull times, we are sure,
that as.the fall trade begins, they will find,
to their great satisfaction, that they are not
good prophets.
Immediately after the war there were
many reasons why the merchants of Geors
gia and North Alabama could purchase to
a better advantage in Louisville or Gin.
cinnati than in Nashville. The wholesale
drygoods trade was totally disorganized,
ard in the general produce trade we were
sorely crippled. The rich and productive
lands of Middle Tennessee had been DESC
lated by war, and instead of being able to
fill our stores and warehouses with corn.
wheat, bacon, etc, to be sold to the sections
referred to, had to seek its supplies in the
very places where aforetime it had brought
them to sell. Thus Nashville was forced to
become buyer in the markets, with which,
at one time, she so successfully competed.
Under such circumstances the merchants,
from localities that had formerly given us
their trade, found il to their interest to 90
beyond us and buy where we had to buy.
Generally they could buy as cheap and a
" through rate of freight between distant
points is always cheaper than when il is
obtained from one to another intermediate
place; besides it saved an accumulation of
drayage and profits, all of which combined
to place Nashville at decided disadvant-
age.
This state of things, fortunately, no
longer exists. All the staples of life are
now cheaper here than in either St. Louis,
Louisville or Cincinnati The tide Is
changing, and our merchants must be alive
if they would profit by it. Anything that
is worth possessing is worth working for.
II is then their duty to work, and work to-
gether, to recover the rich sections over the
trade of which We once exercised entire
control Furnish them the facilities and
convince them that is is TO their interest to
trade here, both Of which are easy of de-
monstration,) and you Will soon see "To
Rent" taken from every untenanted house
Our streets will be crowded with drays and
wagons, our hotels will be filled, and our
railroads will be kept busy carrying to
other markets the goods and produce pur-
chased here. The combined harmonious
action Of few will accomplished much
more than the iadiUiduai efforts ofthe MANY
tits then to be hoped that when any practi-
cable move is made, looking to the general
good, that our merchants will promptly and
energetically combine their efforts for Sc
curing the objects aimed at. We are ad-
vised that there is a move now being con
sidered, the object of which is to secure
the large and valuable trade Of that
portion of North Alabama between Flor
ence, Ala, and Jacksonville, tapping also
rich country on the south side Of the
Tennessee river, embracing portions of
North Alabama and Mississippi. This, it
is confidently believed, can be done by
having boat to ply between JOhnsonville
and Florence, making semi-weekly trips
inconnection with the Nashville and North
western railroad.
From the information before us we re-
gard this as a most important move, and
which, if successfully carried out, will be
greatly TO the benefit of the general trade
OF Nashville. We understand that before
long this matter will be brought directly
before our merchants, and 40 thoroughly
are We persuaded of its importance, that
We earnestly hope they will give it all the
| aid and encouragement necessary TO make
| its success certain.
Ii they but display one nth the enter
| prise shown by Louisville in the attainment
OF the same object, We will guarantee
rich harvest to Nashville as the inevitable
result. MERCHANT.