Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-12-12
COMMERCE OF w,Lu1Hcro~.

III ulScuSSluS tne question o1 COn-
so,idation yesterday, we referred
to the extent and growing Importance
of the commerce of Wilmington,
and to foster it should be a matter
of State pride, as it certainly is a
matter Of State interest.
The tabnlated statement of the
principal articles of produce exported
from Wilmington FOR the year ending
December 31st, 1872, as published in
the columns of the JOURNAL, shows
that 127, ,379 barrels of spirits of tur-
pentine, 12,5Os barrels of crude tur-
pentine, $40, 16O barrels OF rosin, 81, ,2S7
barrels of tar. A, 444 bales of cotton,
1O3, $50 bushels of p anuts, -, 264, 152
feet of lumber, 2,892.225 shingles,
1876, COG slaves, besides large quantities
of cotton yarns, cotton sheetings, tar,
shocks, and innumerable other az
ticles, were exported during last year.
In 1873 the business has been still
larger.
But we desire to call attention to
the number OF foreign vessels now in
port, as Published elsewhere, to which
we direct special attention, and the
number now sailing for Wilmington.
There are to-day lying at our wharves
forty-two vessels, loading or discharg-
ing, tbirty-two of which are unloading
foreign cargoes or loading for foreign
ports. Then there are reported forty
eight vessels from twenty-five foreign
ports now sailing for Wilmington with
cargoes. All of these vessels will take
or lumber. Many OF these are
OF the largest tonnage which the water
at the mouth of the Cape Fear will
admit into our port.
It is with no little degree of pride
and satisfaction that We refer to this
matter at this particular time. We
are sure these facts aud figures must
impress themselves favorably upon the
attention of the members of the Gen
eral Assembly. The enterprise OF
Wilmington, having now very i'm
perfect connection with the interior of
our own State and, contending against
a natural and commendable State pride
of her near neighbors across the line,
which attracts them to their own city
Of Charleston, has built up this mag
nifcent foreign business. II her adj
vantages and present commerce are
not injured by adverse legislation
much more, if they are fostered by
kindly legislation, our city will, at no
distant day. more than double her
population and business.
What advantage this would be to
North Carolina it is needless to say.
The accumulation of population and
wealth in this city will be felt, directly
and indirectly. throughout the length
and breadth of the State.
Alabama has made her railroads
tributary to the growth of Mobile, and
Georgia and South Carolina have done
the same for Savannah and Charleston,
and those cities have been able to
repay in the increased population
| and wealth and business for all the
money spent to build them ups We
hope similar pride and ordinary self
interest will prompt our Legislators tc
| do the same for Wilmington. Oul
city asks for no special favors. She is
helping herself. All she asks is that
her resources shall not be cut short by
unfriendly legislation. She asks thai
her enterprise shall be encouraged
and that she shall be permitted t.
share in common with other portions
VI the state, auA " preferred to cities
beyond the State, in the benefits Of thu
T, great work Of internal improvement
the common property of all the people
to which her own citizens have con
tributeI more than their due proper
ton.