The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-11-09
a GLANcE AT TIE srruAr,OS.-MOst of

asA GLANCE AT THE SITUAIIoN.-Most OF
our well-to-1o citizsns have returned to
ttIeIr homes after the summer centennial
campaikn ia search of change, health and
pleasure. For the hotels at the seaside
and mountain are closed; those who still
linger there are clad in woolens and over
coats, AID shiEer as the shrill October wind
whistles through the halls. While we, the
favored residents of lovely Texas, are er-
joying the deliciOusly temperate and bland
auiumnal weather, frost, snow and nipping
uEtimely cold have visited the whole broad
area OF the northern continent frem Quebec
20 Richmond. Our returned citizens re-
port very different state OF things in New
York to that which existed there three
months ago. This autumn's business ex-
ceeds in volume that of any season for
years; business men are making satisfactory
profits; collections are good, as is always
the case when the prices of goods are a. :
vancing; and there is confidence IN the per-
mauence of the recovery. In drygoods
brisk fall trade at advancing prices has al
ready set IN. There are at present in New
York more retail buyers in the market from
the South, West and Southwest than at any
time within the past four years. They buy
promptly and literally.
Goods of all kinds were never so cheap
before, and the maxim that low prices slim
ulate trade is now being demonstrated. As
10 the ability to purchase, the agricultural
classes were never stronger, for the coun-
try has. pruduced a full crop of all the great
staples. Much of the over-productlon
which hung so heavily and so long about
the neck of the manufacturers has gone into
consumption, and while thus production
has steadily lessened, the regular average
consumption of over forty millions of peo-
pie has kept steadily on. 1t is not then to
be wondered at that merchants, bankers
and business men generally look forward
with great confidence to active operations
and prosperous times, oven IN the midst of
an exciting presidential election. This
feeling is greatly strengthened By the pres
ent aspect of the political canvass, for the
strength Of the great contending parties is
so equally balanced that in either event the
country is sure of a strong minority in OPP
position able to hold in check the ex-
tremists of either section, and thus conserve
the substantial interests of the nation. This
is always desirable, for the unbridled as
cendancy Of any party is sure to bring to
the front knavish, mercenary scum, intent
only on place and plumber, and who. in the
security of an overwhelming majority, are
ready to trample on all moral and patriotic
safeguards.
Our country has attained such solid
financial strength, and the belief among
European investors is SO universal that the
people will keep their promises, no matter
what politicians may say, that the presi'
Dental elections do not affect the standing
Of our national bonds as an investment any
more than the suundness of the English
funds depends on whether the ministry is
FOrY or Liberal. During the recent excite
ment over the Turkey and Servian war,
while the English funds dropped two per
cent, and the Russian loan twenty pei
cent, our national securities fell less than