The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-22
Alt|,nlond 9lspattll.
FRIDAY, .pEcEMBER %, 1876.
Commerce and Industry.

Tn the midst OF the exciting political
events In the country gold is at low pre-
MUM. and holds its ground with remarks
BILE s,ead,ncss. The sale OF Government
bonds in Europe and the large exports OF
produce, together with the reduced importa-
tions into this country OF foreign man
usactures, have turned the tide OF
gold shipments in our favor. That is
one reason why gold should not be
in demand. Nevertheless. il there was
any great apprehension Of trouble from
the pohticai occurrences in the country,
there would be sign Of demand for eoio
in the prices at the Gold Board. We there
fore regard the steadiness and loWness OF
rates as an indication that, while commerce
and manufacturing and general enterprise
arc quite depressed and inactive, there is no
uneasircss as to any serious disturbance
fron political affairs.
There is indeed enough to cause good
degree Of caution, and to check enterprise
and trade generally; but the confidence IN
public securities and in the national cur
rcncy IS not disturbed, and OF course there
il no unusual desire for gold, which, under
the demand for the payment OF duties on
imports in gold, keeps the premium upon
it too high to justify purchases for private
account while national bank notes are as
good as gold for purposes OF security, ana
reo,iv loss in danger from several causes
than are bank notes.
But we feel gratiticd to think that within
two weeks pastthe public mind has become
much more serene than 1t was for 4 con-
siderable period after the election and dt-
ring the fearful period while force was
being employed in the South by the fcde-
raj Executive to compel three OF the south
ern States that had voted for TILDES to cast
their electoral votes for HAYES. So tyran-
meal and unauthorized an act in the Cblcf
Magistrate of republic was enough to
have Excited the people to an UMPIRE
cedentcd degree. The aggravating scenes
of the stupcndous fraud sustained by the
usurping President passed amidst the pub
lie Amusement until state OF almost tor
Dor interviewed. Recovering with energy
from this, and looking about them, the peo-
plc find that the monStrous proceeding Is
overtaken by evidences Of guilt so clear that
the conclusion has been established that
such thing cannot prevail, and that the
legislative department OF the Federal Gov
ernment will not submit to that pcrver>lon
OF law and Justice that would permit force
and its outrageS to triumph over the people.
This feeling has spread itself in all dIrec-
lions. Furthermore, the opinion has gained
ground that Congress will proceed to the
civil business Of counting the presidential
votes in conformity with the Constitution
and ,ime-honored usage. and thus offer no
inters!ice in the panop!y that surrounds
republican liberty for the Insertion OF the
point OF the dagger Of the usurpcr.
The calm, conservative temper oi COM
MERGE ant, business, which had we'll main
tanned its gravity and faith, is thus further
and really encouraged that all will end
well. Therefore we have 40 apprehension
OF q panic, aud while there must continue
for time to be considerable financial and
commercial depression, it will cause no
great strain upon credit, and we shall
emerge from it in Il hourishinS manner. d