Southern telegraph., 1837-08-01
AMERICAN MERCHANTS.

The following appropriate anu cloquent
remarks were made in the Convention at
Harrisburg, (Penn.) on The 20lh inst. by
James C. Biddle, Esq. in reply TO Mr.Clark
of Indiana county, who made violent and
uncaIled for attack on the merchants and
bankers:
"Mr. Chairman we were not greatly
deceived the gentleman in front Of me from
Indiana, (Mr Clark used language this
morning substantially to this effects lie had
spoken of weathas an antagonist power,
constantly warning against free institutions;
and being pressed by the gentleman from
franklin, (Mr. Dunlop he rose to disclaim
having reference to wealthy farmers, who
were, he conceded, a mertorious class Of
the community; and said he referred to
bankers and merchants whose counting.
houses were their churches, whose books
were their bibles, and, Of consequence,
whose god was wealth. Sir, ] heard such
sentiments with surprise and with pain
OF our farmers, my inclination and truth
both compel me TO speak in the most favor
able terms. A more intelligent, upright,
industrious, patriotic yeomanry exists no
where, than the American farmers. But
lei me appeal to the farmers, and inquire Of
them who enhance the value of your farms.
and bear the rich harvesis OF your fields to
foreign chimes? The merchants. Who, in
return, bring back to your doors the mer-
chandize and productions Of every part Of
the world? The merchants. Who has ere
ated our splendid improvements, our canals,
and our railroads? The spirit Of commerce.
What, in the darkest boar Of the late war,
shed halo over our country. and in u
blaze of glory, elflced the stain Of 4 success
sion of defeats on land? Oar navy, the
child of commerce. Who bears higher
character for honor, pnnctmlity, industry,
integrity and onierplize, than the American
mer hants? None.
Who, when, in the year 1898, pestilence
stalked through The deserted streets of our
fair city Of Philadelphi and tho hand of
death was marked on every door, minister
ed by the bed side Of the suffering and the
dying? A Philadelphil merchant Who
was the first to subscribe his name to that
declaration which proclaimed To the world
that these States were free, sovereign, and
independent, and which pledged life, for
tune, aud honor, to maintain its principles?
John Hancock, an American merchant.
Who, when the resources of our country
were prostra,e, her credit gone, and rain
impendod, by bis great abilities and patri-
osm, restored confidence, and once more
gave II vital impulse TO the fnlnces of the
country? Robert Morris, Philadelphia
merchant. Who was one of tho earliest
and most devoted promoters Of that great
scheme ofChri>tirn bcneyolence, the Ame-
rlcan Bible Society, which is spreading tho
Bible and its blessed influence throughout
the world? Robert Ralston. an American
merchant, whose wealth was also freely
poured out in dispensing chariiy, and in
sustaining works of benevaence. might
easily swell the catalogue Of liberal. munif-
cent, enlightened, patriotic American mer-
chants. When. as class, have they ever
mertted reproach? Never.
Stignatize and degrade the me-chant,
and what will become of public credit? and
how and where will the State debt be paid?
Credit, commerce, and free institutions, are
closely connected, and flourish together.
The occasion does not require that should
enlarge my remarks.
Commerce., the first ofhuman avocations,
unites, enriches, ciyiizes nations.
AS one OF the representatives Of COM
nerclal city, and one proud Of the unstain-
cd character of our merchants, | have lellit
my duty TO repel the reproach atfemptedto
be cast upon them. If it had been the out
pouring of boyish pctulance or flIy,
might have passed it by unnoticed; but
when it gravely fell from one whose age I,
and experience should have taught him
wisdom, and who, from his intimate connex-
ion with our great works of Improvement,
should have been among the last to strike
such blow, could no longer restrain an
honest Indignation; and now pronounce
every charge against the patriotism Of our
merchants, foul calumny."
DEATH OF NATHANIEL MAcoy-Thc Ma
lonal ln:elligencer of the 9Th SAYS: Tho
venerable and virtuous NxTH'L MACON, Of
Worth Carolina, is no more. The Warren.
on Reporter of Saturday last contains the
GLOWING annuncialion Of his decease.
"lt is with feelings Of deep regret we
ave to announce the death of the Hon.
NATHANIEL MACON; he departed this life
t his residence in this county, on Thursday ,
morning, last, the 30, of June, in the So,
'ear Of his age"
Or. MACON was member of ono or tho
fher branch oc Co,......- -