The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-18
The New Commercial Era-MOvement Q
Trade from East to West.

Trade from East to West.
The expression that westward the course of
empire takes its way" is true in commercial as
| well as in political sense. Indeed, in modern
times political power and national greatness
| generally 60 with commercial influence and
| wealth. 1t was commerce or trade that made
Tyre and Carthage great in ancient times; this
that made Venice and the Italian republics
rich and powerful at a later period; this that
| gave Spain her power in the time Of her great
ness; this that made Holland-a small State
in Europe-one of the mightiest countries on
the globe; this that gave England her won
derful wealth, great power and an empire larger
than any that ever existed in the world, and
this which has contributed largely to the sur
prising growth and grandeur of the American
republic.
If we look back to history we shall see that
| commerce and empire have followed the course
| of the sun from east to west. From Asia,
bordering the Mediterranean and the coast Of
Africa, they passed over to Europe on the west
ward side of that sea, and from thence to the
western maritime States of the European Con-
tinent. Finally, the course of empire has taken
its way across tire Atlantic. The American
republic is marching with rapid strides to
point of greatness that will eclipse all pre-
ceding or existing nations. Had it not been
| for the war we should be now the first mari
| time nation on the globe. We had, just before
that event, more tonnage than Great Britain,
| and far more than any other country. Though
we have been compelled to take the second
| the first. The decline of American tonnage
| and shipping interests, resulting primarily
| from the war, must and will be arrested by
suitable legislation, by the complete restora-
| ton Of the republic and our national finances,
and by the rapid material progress of the
country. The necessity Of doing something
| to this end Immediately is seen both by Con-
gress and the people. The Congressional
committee who have been sitting in this
city for the past week for the purpose
Of investigating the cause Of the decline
of American shipbuilding and shipping
interests and to provide a remedy, as we'll as
the mass Of valuable information elected, show
that the public mind is alive to this subject
and that we are approaching the turning point.
Gloomy as the state Of things regarding our
mercantile marine has been the last few
years, it is impossible that this great, rich
and progressive country can long occupy the
second position as maritime nation.
Before the year l9OO-yes, in twenty-five
years-our present population Of forty millions
will be increased probably to hundred mil
| lions. And what is not such an ambitious,
Industrious, inventive and energetic population
capable Of accomplishment Then look at our
vast coast, over ten thousand miles in
extent, on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf Of
Mexico, with its numberless harbors; at the
inexhaustible forests of the finest timber and
llimitable deposits of the best iron and coal
at the wonderful variety Of products that enter
into commerce, and at the aptitude of the
American people for trade, enterprise and
maritime pursuits Is it possible for such a
people and country to occupy long second
rate maritime position?
The British and the people of some other
nations are looking to the Suez Canal as des-
tined to change the currents of trade, and no
doubt that will produce great effect, as far
as the trade of Europe with India aud the East
generally goes. To some extent and in GER
tain sense this great work of modern times may
turn the course of trade from the West to the
East, and may establish an empire again on
the eastern shore Of the Mediterranean. But
even then the ultimate destination and concen-
traton of the trade between Asia and Europe
will be westward still. France, Italy, Austria
| and other countries on the European Continent
will get share and receive great benefit, but
large portion will go to England. All this
however, will not interfere with the increasing
| tendency of commerce further west still, across
| the Atlantic, nor retard the progress toward
commercial supremacy and an over shadowing
| republican empire in America.
Though the course of trade has been through
| out history from east to west, 1t reaches its
| most western limit in the United States. It
| may tend more and more from the Atlantic
| side to'the Pacific, as the interior of the Con-
! tinent fills up with population, as the vast
| West becomes developed. and as the Pacific
States increase their commerce with China and
| other countries of Asia and with Australia, but
| it will stop here. The empire Of commerce
cannot pass over the great ocean and fall into
| the hands of an inferior race. China, India.
Japan and Australia will advance, undoubt-
eddy, but their progress win only tend to
increase the commercial power and Importance
of the United States In greater ratio. Mexico
and the Central and South American States
will all DO tributaries to our future commercial