The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-01-08

causes are necessarily slow in their action.
The migratiOns OF great industries are not
effected in u single day. They give warn.
ing Of their approach, and opportunity
for considering how best to prepare for
them. But, though slow, they are also
sure. The one permanent cause Of the
industrial prosperity Of one country over
another Is the practically exclusive pos.
session OF certain natural advantages. II
this exclusive possession is challenged,
the important thing 10 determine is whcth-
or II is challenged on good grounds. viii
the country which claims to be as well off
in this respect rs such and such OF its
ncighbors be able TO make out its title?
II it can, it will become, in the nature OF
things, more or less formidable COMPETE
tor, according to the greater or less energy
it brings to the contest. Now, it seems
established beyond question that, rs
regards most Of the advantages which
have placed England ut the head OF
the worlds industry, and especially
as regards the most important Of
all, coal, the United States are
able to compete with U.S. That they have
not yet done 80 to any great extent is due
to accidental circumstances; TO the youth
Of the nation; TO the destruction wrought
by the civil war; to the economical blund-
ers which found rcadier acceptance in con-
sequence Of the war. These restraining in.
auenceS will grow weaker with time, and
the advantage, the development Of which
they delay, must make itself apparent
sooner or later. II has been objected that
the natural resources Of the United States
cannot be turned to their full account
without corresponding expenditure Of
capital, and that, rs regards capital, the
United States cannot rival England At
present, no doubt, this is true. England
is the largest magazine OF available
capital that the world has ever seen.
But this is n superiority which, from the
special point Of view in which we
are now regarding it, may be undermined
in two ways. First, capital is steadily and
rapidly increasing in America. a nation
cannot Ibe the graary of the world with.
out growing rich, and the richer it grows
the more wealth there will be seeking
profitable investment. The man who
makes fortune by sending corn to Europe
will he inclined to make another by help.
ing to start cotton mills or iron foundcrirs.
Secondly, capital is guiltIess of patriotism.
1t goes where it can find the most prOtita.
bic employment. The English capitalist
has only to he convinced that American
manufacturing undertakings give him
good security, and higher dividend than
similar organizations in his own country,
and English capital will flow to America g
These are remarkable admissions; but
their force cannot be questioned. Besides
the advantages OF cheap coal supply and
1.-THE production OF n surplus Of food to
which the Gazette alludes, America is SO
situated between the oceans and the con.
tinents Of the world us to secure her com.
mCrcial importance, and at The same time
to preserve her from the political compiled.
tons that atilict nations less iavorably
placed. In casting about for the
means of retarding the great change
which the Gazette regards inGvita,
bic, it is not enabled to offer
any very relishing advice to British en-.
ployers or workingmcn. To the former
class it recommends more assiduous atten.
ton to business, satisfaction with smaller
rates OF profit, and the adoption and inven
ton of improved processes OF manufacture
To wOrkmen the first lesson is the folly OF
strikes in season Of trade depression, and
rs n last remedy for an unmitigablc glut OF
labor, emigration. 1t is evident that the
Ga:tt'' more clearly apprehcnds the dan,
ger that threatens British trade than the
means Of avcrtinS it.