New-York tribune., 1869-01-08
srAMANs PROGRESS OF NATIONS

y.
AND POPULATION. BY EZRA G. SEAMAN. Second
Series. limo PIP. GO Churles serlbner * CO.
The abundance and completeness of the statistical
collections in this volume afford highly creditabie
illustration Of the painstaking diligence OF the
author. and of tho wide range of his researches.
He has amassed rich store Of materials for the
use Of tho historical student, md public official.
which can scarcely be found in so convenient form
in any similar production. The volume embodies
nany Of the facts contained in tho previous scries Of
the work but il las been written from the latest
anthoritea reporting faithfully the steps of recent
progress, and fully bringing down the history Of
certain important aspects OF civilization to the
present day.
Ia the introductory chapter Mr. Seaman discusses
the conditions Of national progress. including nven-
aud tho Instruments of industry commerce and
science, letters aud written language. books and
schools organized governments and written laws.
lie then considers the obstacles 10 the advancement
of n people. among which ho rccl:ons the physical
disadvantages Of SOIL climate. and local situation.
ignorance and vice an excessive use of distilled
liquors, tho feuda system, religious intolerance,
slavery and war; excessive taxation and an unsound
currency After an exposition OF the general prin-
ciples which unlcrlic the suljcct he proceeds TO
detailed survey of the different great divisions Of the
world from tho Malay Archipelago to tie United
States Of America. Into this portion of his work.
has crowded asinguar variety Of important informa-
ton arranged in systematic form, aud gilording
every essential facility for reference With regard to
the oricinal comments, in which the author takes
"A too complacent pleasure, there viii doubtless be
diversity ol opinion among those who consult his
pages. They arc often ingenious. never presented
with heat OF extravaganza, IN many instances, car
rylng conviction by their pertinent and sound sng-
gestions while IN others. they Indicate partial judg
Inc,.ts and premature conclusions His remarks. for
instance, the importation 0i foreign luxuries with
low duties are forcLe and To the point
The power OF modern machinery Tor manufacturing
purposes Is truly wonderful Great BEiliu France, and
with the aid ot machinery can manufacture c!1s OF all
kinds. lrOn hardware. aud various articles OF luxury, In
much larger quantities. than required 10 supply The
other nations. where fkn"d labor and capital are both
scarce They supply aud snlct the markets of
any country whore their goods admitted on Tie pay
mcnt of low duiies; and tho question with them "a.
where they can mud markets at any price above tho cos
For want of capital skilled lahorcrs experience, aad
extensive markets, II i impossible FOR new and agcnl
iurnl countries To compete Ia manufactures equal
terms with those older countries Of LuoPe and the
sequence IT, that thcr markets supplied with foreign
goods, and thcr manufactures arc supplaned aud de
sroyed, unless ihey ae incidentally aided hy large du'
ties on imports which compete win them
hnnt eoniv law ih cous,er m lI to "a iy Pm ~
every dollar Of dufy o,cd which must be paid 10y the
importer, raises the pce 81 the article to the consumer
about 1fty cents and the foreign manufacturer pro-
10 tho amount OF nifty cents The domestic manufacturer
gets te advantage of tho enhanced price for his pro-
ducts without any special tax and though ihe consumer
mnt pay the increase ho gets o fn benefit OF IT, IN the
advantage OF new aud enlarged markets. an Increased de-
mand and enhanced prices Tor labor AID all domestic
products, and the increased prosperity or the country
and when domestic manufactures become wen csrab-
lished ana their products become large their competi
uon with foseign products tends 10 reduce prices slil
and TO throw nearly the whole OF the duties upon
the foreign. manufactures.
Heavy duties on imports servo many useful purposes
lst 1hcy and largely IN supporting tho Government
that beng the best aud least bnidcsOme mode of lovy
Ing iaxes rs II Imposes part OF e burden upon the for
I'd Thcy lend check and lessen imports to connno
them 10 such articles are most needed 10 limit the
amount To such sum ~ the people can pay for, aud to
prevent balance OF trade against tho county and the
accumulation Of u foreign debt.
81 Ihcy incidentally encourage domestic Industry, aud
and IN building up domestic manufactures
9Th BY increasing iho domestic supply OF manufac.
turcd goods, they tend to reduce prices.
Allow the importation Of foreign manufactures aud
axufes into new country; , or INTO any agricultural
duties, and the tendency always IL Ia excessive mpora-
,ions-noIe than tho people Gan pay Tor; to produce
OF foreign debt large exports Of specie long they
have any specie TO pay frequent pancs, and commercial
easlOnay with general depression and pr0straton Of
tcm which produces such results may well bo regarded
yey great mpedncn to the progress and prosperity
of d country.
Mr. Seaman also presents lucid exposition of the
evils of q redundant paper currency.
Paper money Is deceptive and dcluslye in It's Innn.
clces upon business nnd upon public opinion. Gold and
silver being extensively used in the aud for nH,egs
81 ornament have great intrinsic value In the ostlma
on Of all civilized nations They therefore In uni.
versai demand for purposes or exchange and commerce.
and are often concealed boarded aud kept future use
Paper money having no intrinsic value, be Used
only FOR commercial purposes, as medium OF exchange
III the country where is issued IL cannot he sent abroad
TO pay foreign debts and there Is no inclination to hoard
H. Every person having paper money Is anxious to
IT, TO make II productyecther by OaninR IL interest
or by buying stocks personal real properly Of
khd' from which he expects TO get AL income, make
profit An increase OF money currency Increases the
number OF anxious buyers, without increasing the |
amount OF property to bo sold. by increasing the de-
mGnd Tor many kinds OF property without Increasing tho
supply The tendency IL 10 increase prices aud to make
many suddenly rich by the increase Of prices.
The constant Increase VI prices for weeks aud months