Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-10-05
l. Y.vCUHVRG U'YRGIv.xf.s.
Monday, October q, 1895.
CONVENTION OF MERCHANTS.

dONNENIloN OF MERCHANTS.
We perceive, BY the last Richmond papers, that
the committee Of vigilance Of that city and county
OF lienrIco had held meeting, for the purpose OF
considering the propriety of requesting the mcr-
chants ot Richmond 10 assemble Convention OF
Southern merchants, with view of dcvising the
best Ian Of supply wing the South with its ncccssar,
merchandise {; and that, after protractcd session,
in which the subject was discussed by Mcssrs. p
\. Nicholas, J. :. Myers, Thoma, Richie, r. G.
Scott, Wm. b. Chambcraync, ". Daniel, c. S.
Carter and James Lyons, proposition TO that eff
feet was agreed to-ayes II noes 30.
The principal grounds of objection urged 10 this
measure as We gather from the Substitute offered
by Mr.. Nicholas, in lieu Of The Resolutions original
y submitted TO the committee of vigilance, propos-
ing this step, by Mr.. Lyons, arc--l,t that the
committee, being appointed without reference 10
that measure, would transcend their powers by ma
king such lccommc ndation-uhich however, does
not affect the propriety Of the measure itself, even
II be admitted ;-2dly, that the importers in dit
tcrcnt points Of the South might not have d homo
gencous interest, and that the rival professions Of
different commercial dcpots would necessarily pre-
vent any thing like unity and concert of action
which, If il be true, only be asccrtaned By the
asscmblage Of the Convention tsclf;-3dlv, thai
individual sagacity, left free to its own action is
preferable to the system Of tammels and coercion
which would result from the assemblagc of
Mercantile Convcnlon--whicb, though true, as an
abstract proposition, may not be the proper policy
OF the South, in the present condition of the conn-
try and, finally, that we should not resort TO Il
measure having the appearance of hostility TO the
North, and bearing its face a threat until the
Legislatures and people of that section have had
full time to act upon the Abolition qucstion-in
which We fully concur though we hope to sec the
day. when from considerations totally disconnected
with the Abolition question, with any feeling OF
unilicndlness to the North, but simply as a inca
sure inseparaby identified with our prosperity as a
people, means will be adopted to increase our COM
merc'al resources, and to dilusc the benefits Of
manufacturing skin aud industry throughout the
Southern States whether by "A Convention of
Southern merchants, or by any other less objcc-
,ionab- mode, We care not.
In the present aspect Of the question, we are IN
clincd TO think that no Convention should be held
unless there be unanimIty OF sentiment, an ap-
preach to II, both among the Southern merchants
and people. Without this, no decisive benefit,
could result from the asscmbagc, while, it is not so
clear that II will not be productive of some mis-
chief THIS IS not party question, and should not
be so regarded or treated, whether in reference to
fS n,tn intr &c, . "A.
a'lon to the Abolition question, which la, preci-
patcd (no, oriyinated its considerations But it i,
vcfv cviiant tina, the Van Buren, organs have de
tcrmned to make it 40, for what reason and with
what views we arc a, a loss to comprehend, unless
they love their idol better than THEN native land
and tear the effects OF such concentration ofpub-
lie opinion upon his interests, more than they de-
sire the growth and prosperity of the South. If
they, constituting as they probably do, third
of the Southern people, have determined to set
their face, against this Convention We submit it to
those who think differently with regard to the pro-
pr'cty and utility OF that measure, whether ii be
not advisable to deiay II until the only plausible
reason which they now urge against shall be re-
moved by the action of the Northern Legislatures
upon the Abolition question. They who think
that that action will be favorable to the principles
and rights of the South, will soon be aroused from
this, We fear, deluSivc hope. Those legislatures.
like most OF the public meetings which have been
held, may ISSUE resolutions dcnouncing the Abo-
litonists, but, unless We are much mistaken they
will pass no laws to prevent their ncendiarv acts
Let us, however, give them the time asked for by
Mrssrs. Philip Norborne Nicholas Thos Richie.
and Peter '. Daniel with the hope that when
those gentlemen shall be satisfied that we hay, no
thing to expect Tom the Northern States but roras
/ that, when We ask them for bread. they will
continue to give us stone-thcv will perceive the
necessity of the measure which is now propo,cd.
and that they will then cordially Cooperate in it.
" Among the conspicuous Northern Aboli-
ionlsts we have regretted 10 see the name of Dr..
Bcman, ofTroy, y. Y. clergyman, who, a few
] years ago, tarricd several days in this place at
tracing, by his cloqucncc and ability, crowds to
hear him preach, and producing quite an extensive
and salntary religious excitement. We have r.
GREETED IT, because DIR. Beman resided some ton mr.
dozen years in Georgia, and therefore knons that
the general and immediate abolition of Slave, -