The Republican. [volume] (Maryville, Tenn.) 187?-187?, 1874-08-01
The Me,cnant of the Future.

A German statistician has lately giveI
tabular view OF the commercial move
ment OF the world as shown in the ex
port and import trade of nations. In
some regions, as in Africa, 1t is difficult
to make an estimate but what is equal
ly striking is the fact that while old
commercial countries maintain their
trade, new ones are dawning, as it were,
into the activity OF commercial day.
On looking at the trade figures OF half
civilized countries, we see in them the
great KEY TO the commerce Of the future.
| The trade of some countries does not
always grow in proportion to the supe-
rior intelligence and commercial spirit
of their people, but oftener according
as its natural productions are in de
mand by other people. This influences
the export trade alone. The imports
depend more Oh, first, the available ex-
portable matter, and secondly the nee
essities of the people, or rather on their
appreciation of the wants of civilized
life. But here again calculations are
often at fault, for it is not the people
upon whom most dependence is placed
that always turn out the best custom
ers. Even in two peoples like the Chi
nese and Japanese there is great diff
ference OF willingness, to avail them
selves of the result of progress. Social
habits and chronological considerations
both enter as factors. The surprising
developments of such countries as
Egypt show us the probable impetus
which will mark the trade of what may
be called undeveloped commercial re-
gions of the world.
1t is this very fact that will preserve
such manufacturing countries as Eng
land from decline. Trade is only be-
ginning with some lands, and their in
babitants are but Just becoming &C.
quainted with the products of civiliza-
ton. Till such time as these new coun-
tries themselves begin to manufacture,
they will doubtless be customers of
Great Britain, France, Germany aud
America for such articles as each can
sell cheapest. Ia the meantime, how
ever, there is little doubt that when
once the barriers which separate China
from the rest of the world are broken
down, it will enter in the markets with
all the advantages which its immense
and skillful population will give it. In
different kinds OF man factures IL is
more than probable it will completely
shut out European competitors. Late
travellers through China have not only
been amazed at the progress the Chinese
are making, but are filled with appre-
hension at the perspective.
Another revolution in the importing
and exporting business is preparing,
which may involve complete transfor-
nation in banking and exchange. When
the commercial relations of two coun-
tries are sufficiently regulated, ex-
changes will be made in products, and
balances will be paid in orders on other
countries, which will also represent so
much value in merchandise. The reg
ulating pow will not be gold, or gold
alone, but what coin can only repre-
sent-the commodities. These COM
mooities will be symboized on paper,
and the use of metallic currency, in
consequence, will be proportionately
diminished. Transactions will be m ade
on samples, and the merchants of the
future will be spectators in products,
as our brokers are in railway shares.
The spirit of the age is speculative, and
the tendency beyond question. What
changes commerce may undergo, it, is
difficnlt to determine, but it would
seem to gravitate to an excited but
peaceful contest with the world for its
field of operation.-NeoO York Com
11erci1I RIlLetin.