Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-11-28
COMMERCIAL CONVENTION.


Tha etcial Convention of Virginia closed
its session at Norfolk on the l7th Inst' "hen 'he
citizens Of that place gave the nerabeis spiehoa
public dinner. The Convention was well attended,
and the labor. Of its members we're harmonious and
beneficial and much good is expected TO result
thsfeffom. A correspondent Of the hichhohu
Compiler writes Of the Convention:
How unfounded, Messrs. Editors, have proved
the predictions of those who have sold 10 advance
the Convention would do no goodt IL did good
before ii met, by putting the public mind actively TO
work Many went TO the Convention with their
minds highly excited upon vital questions o. State
interest The great domestic subjects OF internal
iroproyement, banking, manufactures and com
MERGE and necessarily agriculture, were discussed
with eminent ability. Much light WAS shed upon
questions, about which our people unfortunately
have hitherto thought but tttie, and kne" nothing
Upon the subjects Of internal improvement, manu-
factures, and banking capitol, food OF hight was
poured Facts were stated and will go forth to the
people which cannot be withstood, and V hich VIII
inevitably dispel the scepticsm and apathy OF the
people about their domestis interests And other
que stions novel, but interesting in their character
we're started for public meditation. To my own
knowledge, many went home friends OF internal
Improvement, who went thiher its enemies; many
gave up their anti-benking prejadices before the
powerful debate on the banking question: in which
your townsmen, Messrs. Mcfarland, Patton, AMI
James, bore distinguished part and all left the
Convention with higher views of the manufacturing
and commercial resources and capabilities of Vir-
GINA"
The following paragraph from the communion
ton of the Compiler's correspondent, is worthy Of
all consideration:
"There was a remarkable degree Of practical
business talent in the Convention, the reports
will show Would, 10 God our Legislature could
be- so constituted why do We not send business
men to our Assembly, Why do not send in
telligent me rchan,s, and practical manufacturers
to make laws for the State, instead of pettifo ging
LAWYERS who understand nothing of business, and
petty demagogues, whose aspirations to promote
their own puny ambition, greater than their
wishes, or their ability promote the public inter
ests? Let the people look to this matter, if they
would carry and quickly consummate the glorI-
Gus reform which is begun. IL is to be hoped the
proceedings of this Convention will carry home, to
the bosoms of our Lawmakers, an instructive NOR
al. etttcm but ref ct upon this body Of business
men calmly, consulting upon grave questions OF
home policy, and suggesting wise practical mea
sures for lis reformation, and then let them put
themselves these questions-what good have we
done our State. and VIVA; good can we do here, by
the eternal discussion federal politics! Alas
how much we have lost by the annual discussion ct
abstract questions of federal policy! Had our Lee
gisature Investigated the subjects of Internal i'm
provement, banking, commerce, and manufactures
with one tythe the industry they have spent upon
federal questions, what different scene would Vir
gnia now PRESENT."