Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-09-01
Figures, Facts and Statistical
Statements Worthy the Init
mate and StddiOuS Atten-
tiOn of Merchants,
Farmers, Mechan-
les, and also
Capitalists. ~

1T is with peculiar pleasure that the
APPEAL to-day invites attention to the
results of the trade CT 1876 These
results are given in official figures that
speak louder than worcs. They tell a
story Of progress and gsins, notwith.
standing the pressure Of ''hard times''
and the existence of a chronic discon.
tent and want Of confidence in all de-
pattmeDtF, and in all sections of the
Union, as we'll as in Asia and Europ- .
The causes of this discomfort and want
of confidence are plainly set forth in our
report, and the reasons clearly set out
for confident belief that in this ccun-
try they are fast disappearing, and with
the election OF Tilden and Hendricks,
snd peace in Europe, they will
wholly and altogether absent
themselves, let Us hope forever. La d.
rect communication with ali parts of the
world, and in full sympathy with ali the
leading markets through the great
staple, for the sale of which ours is the
first inland market in the world, we
could not fail to be affected by the bus;-
ness iaiIIr % which were the direct result
Of the want OF confidence which we de-
plore, tut, owing to the fact of the po-
litical disquiet and gu ordination 10 the
Union to which the surrounding s :att s
have, since 1855, bsen q prey, our mer-
chants, mechanics and capitalists lave
been characterized by yearly increasin g
caution; hence, we have had but few
failures and fewer bankruptcies than any
center Of trade in the country. Ths sa-
gscity and intelligence OF our merchan Is
have been stesdily exerted to meet tn e
exfgencies OF long period OF duJIness,
and to make up for any falling off which
it might entail in the volume OF our Lusi.
ness by new accessions in parts Of The
surrounding States only recently brought
into intimate and close relationship
with US. by new railroad connections.
Ia this way, and by the thrift, industry
and promptntss of the planters and
farmers in meeting their obligations, the
merchants of III mphls have been able
to bridge over period that has strained
the credit resources Of the country al
most to the point OF general ruin, ard
enabled US to mske an exhibit for the
y ar 1855 which rtfiscts infinite
credit upon them, and shows that
while in general trade We have lest
nothing in that of cotton we have made
gain in bales one. third M 1re than tie
total OF the previous Twelve months.
This one item alone furnishes theme
for satisfaction. 1t is full of hope. Cot
ton is our staple in trade. Upon it re SITS
the prosperity Of Memphis; upon it we
have built in the past, and upon it
must uild in the future. Any gains in
it, therefore, must be taken to re present
solid gain in the direction of general
prosperity. Of course the price at which
it is sold enters into this calculation.
Admitting that, and by reference to our
files, finding that the price of mi,idling
on the thirty. first Of August, 1875, was
14@14fc, and that yesterday it was I11c,
it will readily be seen that even in re-
spect Of price, while we are behind three
cents, we are gamers in the net amount.
Added to this cause for Generalization,
we have that of a better UNDER
between the merchant and the
planter. Never in the history of Mem
phis were the banks in so plethoric a
condition or bstter able to encounter and
fulfill all the demands of trade. This
would and could not have been the case
did the old state Of things exist, if the
merchants had all their capital invested
in The fields hat to-day are whitening
with promise for us all. The planters,
They have for the past four years baen
making steady inr ads upon the old GUS
tom of producing nothing but cotton
and depending upon the west for flood |
for man and beast" and the result il,
having abundance for both and to SO are, |
they are not at the mercy of |
Is not at their mercy, sharing |
Ia his boots when the rain |
comes or the sun shines too long, fesr-
ing that either will shorten the crop on |
which he has risked his capital. Thus, |
hiding the planter and the cotton mer-
cha at both on a solid basis, and realiz |
ing the benefits of that basia in the in
creased traffi3 and savings OF last |
year, We are justified in congretu 'ating |
Dur readers upon result that we do not |
believe another city 10 the Union can
match. Soaring in the general depres-
siOD, and affected by the upa and downs
Of home and foreign markets, we yet
have cause for r. ioicing and thankful.
ses1, aud in what we Offer below as the
history OF another year, grcu for a
hope that Memphis has Sc ca ner poorest
Jays, and benceforwart she is to know
40 steps backward, but is to move for.
ward every day with accelerated strides
coward the 70 fiilment o. a destiny equal
% that predicted by the fathers and
iOunders Of our city.
THE COTTON TRADE OF 1876.
Under the headings of ths various months,
ge give below a fulI history nj the Memphis |
ottou market of the year lS10-6. There will |