The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-03-17
THE SPRING TRADE.

As warm weather approaches the general iE-
quIry among our business men Is, how will the
spring trade open' In glsncing over our New
York commercial exchanges we nnd the gen.
eral notion prevails In that great commercial
centre that what is known as the spring trade
bids fair to be rather late; indeed, that 1t will
lap over into what is known as an early summer
business, and this trade, II Is believed, will be
active and generally profitable. We shall not be
surprised, however, to see these predictions set
at naught, and very active spring business en-
sue, which will engross the time and attention
Of the large jobbers, and In most satisfactory
manner replenIsh their comparatively empty
money drawers. They would doubtless be very
willing to see their boxes and bales OF goods de.
parting, and should nothing better than green.
backs come in as an equivalent for empty shelves
and cleaned out ware-roons they will very cheer
fully accept the cleaning out upon these cond
tions, and will not be very likely to cry hold,
enough
The Western papers speak very hopefully OF
the indications which presage lively spring
business in that portion OF our country. We
are told in the columns OF several journals which
come to US from that quarter that the farmers of
the great West were never better off financially
than now, and that their condition was never
more prosperous tina st this time. Moreover,
Il is stated that the entire northwest Is very bare
of goods; that there Is not anywhere In that re-
gion anything like an over stock OF goods or
merchandise of any kind; that the demand will
be great and the money Is on hand to foot the
bills. This is the general tenor OF the articles
upon business and trade which We observe In
our Western exchanges. We may, therefore, as
soon rs the weather becomes settled, look for
an early and active spring trade in the West.
The papers in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Min
nesota Wisconsin, and Illinois tell US that In all
the small towns and cities In those States busi-
ness was never more active than It has been for
month past. This looks we'll, and is encourag-
ing.
So much, therefore, for the West and North
west. And 1t Is fair to conclude that this being
the case there, business In the East will receive
an impetus from the condition OF things that
exist In the West.
When we look at the South we find many OF
the leading journals In that quarter urging the
people to plant and SOW every variety Of crops;
and to SOW and plant largely, so that In the
event of the failure Of any one or even several
crops some one may come to maturity; and
the people will thus have tolerable certainty
TO fall back upon in harvest time and for the
next year. One good crop In the South will hell
that country amazingly. Let the people there
struggle to tkis end, and show that they merit
success, and they will win. Seed-time and har
vest does not fail; but man must do his duty alao
He who will not "piou anu SOW Tor reason o.
the cold" or for any other reason, shall beg In
harvest and have nothing.n
while these Indications of an active business
and a prosperous season are being multiplied In
different sections OF our country, how do things
look here at homel
We have had a hard and cold winter for thii
latitude, and business has not been very remu
nerative. People have been obliged to husband
their means and to practice economy-that is, al
those who have endcsvared to live within theil
means have been obliged to do this. But 1t may
now be hoped, since spring has come, that bust
ness will revive. Let those who can employ
idle hands which seek employm ent do 1t, and lei
us hear the sound OF the hammer and the ring o
the anvil, and the noise and chatter incidental Il
business. This Is what we want.
Government bonds are good and very conye
nent to have In the house, or will be till repuda
tion comes, and that we hope Ia a long way of
but accumulatlons slowed away in bricks ant
mortar may be made, even in Washington, Il
pay good dividends. Let him who can set dol
lar in motion which may add to his means or hi
comfort do 1t, and the renex influence shall b
felt benehclally In the community.