Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-11-02

From an examination Of the reports
of the conSuls of the United States
for the year 1852 some idea may be
had of the great loss sustained by
American farmers by reason of the
decline Of our merchant marine, which
has almost died out under the withcr-
ing hand of protection. The products
of Other countries are carried mainly
in their own vessels 10 the best mar
kcts of the world, and are there dis
posed of most adyantagcously. Mcr-
chmtmcn have y pccuniary interest
in dispOsing of the products OF their
respective countries to the best adj
vantage. and to that end they put forth
their best cirorls,-by carrying them
to good markets and introducing them
to consumers there. Not SO with Amer
lean products. They are carried in
whatever foreign vessels will take
them 10 Liverpool and other great
markets where competition is most
active, and are consequently sold at
comparatively low prices.
During the year ending september
30, 1852, american goods were sold at
Liverpool to the enormous amount OF
500, 9OO,O2T worth. Chief among the
commodities which went to make up
this enormous aggregate was cotton to
the amount OF Sl5O,596,0IT. Cereals
come next, with wheat first to the
value or $33,61S, So; corn, S9,993,961
and whrat-meal and flour S9,I4l ABS
OF bacon and hams the United States
shipped to that port S3l ,S63,G15 worth
and of cheese Sl0,G90.5A worth.
With American products selling SO
largely in the greatest market of the
world. where our wheat is brought
into direct competition with wheat
from Russia, India, and other wheat
producing countries, and our cotton
with the Egyptian article, and like
strong competition for the other prod
ucts named we would expect to see
the United States enjoying good
trade III these articles to othel
countries, in which they would bring
better prices. But how different ART
the facts in the case. The truth is
that we do not even supply the mar
ketS on this continent with these prod
uCls. BY reason of better shipping
facilities and the consequent better
introduction Of their goods England
France and other countries are en-
ablcd To ship across the ocean to South
America and share i'll the trade there
in the sellsamc articles which they
bay of us in the first place. In sup.
port Of this statement we need only
give few facts reported by Consul
Smith of Carthagena, in regard t.
trade between the United states OF
Colombia and the United States OF
America, lie reports that among 9th
or things furnished to the people
of Colombia almost exclusively by
European countries, are cotton goods,
hams, butter and cheese, and ON these
articles they realize very high prices.
TO illustrate the prejudice that exists
there against some Of our products he
tells the following amusing story:
IL received 4 small consignment of
line kentucky Sugar-cu hams, the
smallest ham weighed Is pounds. In
vain did | try TO sell them ut cost
price, but the fact that they were
American prevented the sale. | turn
ed them over TO Il merchant III the
town and told him TO dispose of them
ut any price rather than have them
spoil. What was my surprise when a
few days after he told me he had sold
them all ut Is cents per pound, the
price of the English article. lie eN-
planned that he took off the wrappings,
placed them III u Smoke-houSe for a
few hours. and sold them us English
hams, stating TO the buyers that il
was new style cut. Since then, he
informed me, he has had numerous
calls for the new style-cut English
hams"
What this country is most in need of
ut this time is a more rational tariff
and a live. active merchant marine. 1t
is to be hoped that we may have both
in the near future. Under CONNER
clal freedom our industries would
grow strong and vigorous, ana Amer
lean ships laden with our superior
products could carry them to all parts
of the world and defy all competition.