the injurious effect of the late war upon the commerce of the
United States is shown by the following figures:
in 1860, the foreign commerce of the
United States was:
- Imports.
$252,187,587
- Exports. $362,163.94
making a total commercial movement of $762,000,000. in 1864, the figures were reduced as follows:
- Imports.
$252,187,587
- Exports. $331,800,450
The whole making a total commerce of only $583,000,000, and disclosing a falling off of nearly two hundred millions.
During this period, while this decrease was occurring in the commerce of the
United States, that of other countries was receiving an extraordinary development.
In 1860-61, the foreign commerce of
France aggregated $873,000,000. In 1863 it had increased to $1,352,500,000. In 1860-'61, that of
Great Britain was $1,800,000,000. In 1862, it had increased to $2,000,000,000. exclusive of specie.
In 1862, the free city of
Hamburg imported and exported to an aggregate value of $551,000,000--almost equalling in value that of the
United States in 1864.
The foreign commerce of the new Kingdom of
Italy was, in 1862, $259,000,000, or one- half that of the
United States in 1864.
The commerce of the
Colonial Empire of
Great Britain amounts now to $1,100,000,000 per annum — twice that of the
United States.
Facts like these show the importance of putting an end to the senseless quarrels between sections.
The fact is, that the prosperity of the
South is indispensable to the general prosperity of the
United States.
The cotton, the tobacco, the rice, the naval stores of the
South, are among the peculiar and principal elements of American commerce.
The Northern mind is beginning to appreciate this important fact.
By none is it more fully comprehended than by the wise and practical statesman at the head of the
American Government.
None better understands than he the value of peace, of real peace, to the whole Union.
The radicals who are seeking to embarrass his policy are, in reality, fighting against the highest interests of their own section.
Every step that
President Johnson takes to conciliate and rehabilitate the
South adds to the common wealth and common strength of
America.
