National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-11
Revival OF COMMERCE.

ceived check from which it has not yet
recovered. In his last two or three annual
messages to Congress the President has in
vited particular attention to the subject and
made some recommendations that are de-
serving of careful attention. 1t is estimated
that VIC now suffer one hundred millions
loss as a nation annually in this branch OF
our industry. This loss has been the gain
chiefly of Great Britain. She was indi-
rectly the cause of the loss which was d.
rectly her immense gain. We have settled
with her for fifteen millions, and there we
rest. We, as a commercial nation, should
strain every nerve to retrieve our lost
ground. This should have been done at
once upon the close of the war. 1t should
have been done without waiting six years
to learn the result Of our claim for conSe-
quential damages. Let Congress now de-
termine to take some action designed to en-
courage commercial enterprises, to open up
new fields of commerce, and to stimulate
capital and energy to occupy them.
General Grant has suggested several
measures in the interest of commerce which
experience now shows were of the most
sagacious character. But Congress, in its
superior wisdom, suffered them to lie dor
mant upon their tables or in the pigeon
holes of their committee rooms, and nothing
has come of them. His project for the an
nexation of San Domingo and the estab-
lishment of q naval station there was, as all
can now see, one which should have been
carried out His recommendation of the
expenditure of five millions per annum for
for five years as subsidies to steamer lines
to Mexican and South American ports, for
the purpose of opening new fields and ave-
nues of commerce, would have proved of
incalculable value. in connection with the
development of San Domingo, had both
been comprehended and appreciated by
Congress, while tea, coffee and hides, three
of the most important of our necessaries,
would have been greatly cheapened by the
success of these enterprises.
Then he has recommended new water
channels to the sesboard from the West.
1t is to be hoped that this suggestion will
receive some attention from Congress prior
to adjournment, as no doubt it will, for the
members from the West and South are fully
aware that they will stand no chance for
reelection unless they do something in be-
half Of cheap transportation.
IfCongress shall stay here until it per-
forms all the legislation the country is suf-
for;pr for tho bapa6t IF aDd tho yaO,la nv
pect to see effected before adjournment it
will not get away till August, and if it
manages to get up few more national po-
lice courts in the shape of investigations,
members may not expect to get home in
season to look personally after their renom-
ination and reelection. No doubt the
best electioneering that can be done by
them will be the strict attention to their du-
ties here.
When the questions of currency and
finance are settled, which must, of course,
take precedence, because all others are in a
great measure dependent upon them, it is
TO be hoped that few days will be de-
voted to each of the subjects above indi-
CdlCu- OuI Cdll ing llhdCJ DOtn vi lauu anu
sea, and means of inter communication with
other nations upon this continent, are of the
most pressing importance. We have from
time to time called attention to the growing
importance of our trade with South America,
both upon the Atlantic and Pacific coaots.
We are large purchasers of the raw produc-
tons of Mexico, Central and South America,
as well as those of the West Indies, while
we do not sell them the proportion of our
manufactures which they should take in re-
turn. If we would keep our gold we must
export more goods. Commercial statistics
show that nearly all the domestic treasure
we have exported during the last twenty
years has been for the payment of balances
of trade due to countries on this continent
and the adjacent islands. The only way to
prevent this is to compete with Great
Britain in supplying them with manufac-
tured goods.
1t appears that Congress should authorize
the negotiation of reciprocal commercial
treaties with these countries. That would
be the most effectual wy of illustrating and
enforcing the Monroe doctrine and equaliz-
ing our trade. At present the balance
against US with these nations is about fifty
millions annually,