New-York tribune., 1874-08-24
SATURDAY, Aug. 22-P. VI.


Tho oaneraI trade of the city continues dull and
unsatisfactory. Merchants coming here to purchase
stocks buv sparingly, taking only enough to keep
mn assortments and goods only can be sold tn any
considerable extent by offering them 10 purchasers
at temptingly low prices The journal OF commerce,
which is regarded as high authority IN business
affairs. speaks very discouragingly OF the present
state of trade. and of the immediate outlook That
journal remarks
The condition aud prospects of trade are SUBJECTS OF
universal concern TIE promises OF the earlier months
of the year been kept and the present OUTLOOK
into the future gives but little relief There no panic
no financial crisis scarcity OF money food or cloth
ing; no general sickness apprehension Of war no
fear of rebellion no political excitement no sweeping
conragration; desoatng storm or inundation IN
short no menacing hand is lifted in any direction why
then should there be hustle OF activity on every
sdei Why are not our thoroughfares tnrOngeu WIN
moving produce and merchandise and our ships canal
boats and railroad cars filed with outward and Inward
rreighss Wny is not willing hand actively en-
ployed at remuneratinS wages. and the homes OF the
laborer filed with plenty aud peace lt Is
worse than idle to deceive ourselves Ihere
is no widespread and substantial prosperity.
We can find class OF manufacturers, merchants agr
culturists, artisans. or common laborers' VINO are
steadily earning profit, or have full ana contenteu e
ployment Every device or shift by which money is
hence all business affairs much unsettled TAe
are not oyerst0cked with goods but hey are
trying 70 loan their capital call, take turn Win
II in some speculative venture rather than TO employ IL
ia gathering assortment OF the wares IN "neh 'ne
deal The consumers take hold still more sIugSishi''
and purchase only for Immediate necessities Every
where there is sense depression, aud discourage
ment TO activity, attitude OF waiting without any
OF the form or character OF tne reei W
a There are no lack OF theories Tor soln-
ron OF this my stery; but all that have any substance
in them point to fact: the people nave no con-
ndepce in the present financial foundation IL WI" NOV
belu the situation say that in our paper we preueo
this long before t became matter Oh hstoiy' in.'
country will never wholly reestabished IN compeu
tion with other nations, until we emoody In the iuuda
mental law the great rule Of equity that pronSe o'
~ "a only fnldlled when the creditor receives tne
weight and value promised. When man before tne
ar promised money to his creditors ne neant ny !"
be was honest not what future Cougress 'hish' uo
clare 10 be legal tender, but the actual coin Oh 'he
weight ana ineDess then current, or lts aeceptea
eouvalent Our Supreme Court at nrst solemnly pro-
opnesd the inyioabiy Of this promise, and all true
men breathed more freely. But that august body was
and the new majority reversed this decis
ion This is the shadow that hangs over the busi-
ness of the country to-day. 1t Is the question
which every who has capital, or enterprise,
ask, himself with only hollow echo for answer. II he
invests, what shall ne receive IN payuentt s the u
settling solvent that puts everything connected with
the OF the country out OF proper shape
aud cons stency. For future we must guard the
spirit OF trade and enterprise from the apprehended
danger by embodying the true principles in the very
text o. the Constitution. For the present there woud
be instant relief n the printed lie, now drag In our
market at per cent per anuum. was left TO una It's
level by It's own weight. We suppose that nothing hn
can be tone the gathering of Congress- Dat the
preliminary steps should DO taken at once. ruoho
opinton should everywhere be formed demanding tne