Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-05-24
Our Profit from the War.

All the probabilities so far point to the fact
that the contest between Russia and Turkey
in the East will be long and determined one,
and that, even if other Powers are not drawn
into the conflict, the religious enthusiasm and
sentiment which have been evoked on both
sides will make each army resolute in its ad
vance and desperate in its resistance. Nat
urally, therefore, we have begun to consider
how much our own country will be benefited
by it, and what effect it will have upon our
foreign trade. If we were to look at war from
an abstract point of view, our philosophy
would teach US that the industry and COM
merce of one country are SO intimately con-
nected with those of another that the war
which injuFes one would have correspond
ing effect upon the whole of civilization.
But this ideal and sympathetic view of the
subject has to give place to tradition, and the
tradition which exists amongst us to-day is
that all European wars are gain to US COM
mercially. In order to carry out this theory
it is common for US to refer to the Napoleonic
wars, although just how far our country
throye through them we might find some diff
ficulty in explaining. But we are not called
upon to do so, the statement is taken for
granted, and when bewaihng the horrors Of
war, we always make mental reservation in
favor of those being waged in Europe, on
much the same principle as a man who has
eschewed profanity will sometimes venture
ON an innocent remark as to New England
''coffer dana" f.. -. .l, a.,
So far as the present war is concerned its
effects have, it is true, already been seen in
our markets. The bread markets of the great
food centres have advanced in price. The
grain-laden fleets of Chicago are fast pushing
through the Straits of Mackinac. The open
ing of the Erie Canal has been anxiously
looked for by the merchants of Buffalo, and
in New York ocean rates are active, while
the demand for shipping has increased. The
prevailing idea seems to be that an opportuni.
ty now offers itself for us to control the grain
business usually handled by Odessa, which
has an annual export Of more than $25, ,000,.
600 in wheat. The countries of Northern
Europe, especially Great Britain, look to this
port as their principal source of supply. Be
ing cut off from this, as whatever wheat is left
in Odessa will be used to feed the army, we
will naturally control the market.
But with this prospect before Us staple arti
cles of food have already risen in price. This
is one blessing which we can share alike with
the people of Europe, and which may proba-
ably help US to bear the depression in trade
and present low rate in wages But, argues
the philosopher, high prices of food will
bring high wages for labor; this is cause and
effect If there does come increased labor in
the warehouse and counting room, in the mil
and the factory, on TIC canal and the railroad,
at the wharf or on the deck and in the hold
of the vessel and with ii there come higher
wages, such things may compensate for the
extra dollar tagged on to the price of barrel
! o. flour. But at present we have to look fol
the expected benefits to arrive by more in
direct route. The farmer will make money
and he as well as his wife and daughters will
spend 1t in reaping machines, in furniture, il
pianos, in books, in millinery, in increased
contributions to the church and the preacher
! and 90 increased life will run through every
vein Of industry and trade and increase gen