[November, 
656 The Proposed American 
place Britain in a disadvantageous position as regards 
international displays, and to make them, for us, unde- 
sirable. But still less desirable is the proposed gathering. 
The “ British Trade Journal ” goes so far as to remark, 
“ There may be, in a few quarters, remarks as to the 
illogical position of a country which maintains prohibitive 
tariffs and endeavours, at the same time, to find a market 
for its productions abroad ; and it may even be asked if the 
United States wish us to take not only their corn and their 
fruit, hut also their manufactured goods, what, in the name 
of all that is reasonable, are they going to take in return ? 
This is a question which such an exhibition as that pro- 
posed will assuredly bring up.” That a trade which it is 
sought to make entirely one-sided must come to an end 
needs no demonstration. If we cease to be producers, or 
what amounts to the same thing, if no one will buy our 
products, we must perforce cease to be consumers. There 
are some persons who calculate that if our foreign com- 
merce goes on declining at its recent rate for twenty years 
longer, it will have reached not the beginning of the end, 
hut the end itself. 
Alter these preliminary considerations, I come to the two 
main questions, viz., what are the objects which the United 
States have in view by the proposed exhibition, and what is 
the especial time which they have selected ? 
It is expected, we read, among other things, to “ stimulate 
emigration to the United States.” It is to be an “en- 
couragement to the emigration of the better class of 
English farmers, very few of whom have yet come to this 
countiy (America) and who would better themselves by 
coming, besides being very desirable citizens.” “ It will,” 
says General C. B. Norton, the chief promoter of the scheme, 
if properly managed, largely encourage immigration.” 
“This,” says the “Manchester Textile Recorder,” will be 
an immense advantage to the crowded population of this over- 
crowded country, who must eventually seek in other lands 
the means of subsistence they are unable to obtain here.” 
Many moie similar admissions might be quoted, were it 
needful, to prove that the drawing off to the United States 
of a portion, and that not the worst portion, of our popula- 
tion, is one of the cardinal points aimed at. 
But another mark is British capital. Says one paper, 
“ Capital is seeking for new outlets, and if it can be shown 
that theie is a profitable return, in land transactions and 
industrial enterpiises in the far west, there is little doubt 
that investments will he readily made.” 
