The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-11-25
THE MEMPHIS CONVENTION.

results are expected by the country, met on
thursday the 18th inst. and organized by choos-
ing the f1on John G.. Calhoun President. He
took the chair, and on doing so, says the Mem
Phs Appeal, he made an elaborate and able ex-
position of the OBJECTS of the Convention. He
expressed his deep obligation for the honor done
MIN III appointing him 10 preside over so impOr
'ant body That he sympathised deeply in the
great objects for which it was convened the i'm
provement OF the commerce and the military de-
fences OF the South Southwest and West That
all State and local jealousies must be at an end,
"here the interest of the whole was much con-
cerned lie looked upon the West MS the great
agricultural region OF the republic, and would
have every measure adopted, which would de.
veoPe It's sources. He regarded the interests of
the South and West as identical. and wonld omen
ny all means, the most intimate communication
between 'hem. In this view, he regarded the
establishment of rail roads as all important, and
as circumstance most extraordinary, that at a
point in DE Kalb county, Geo, (Atlanta) all the
projected routes striking the Mississippi or its
tributaries, or extending into Texas, had com
mon terminus This of itselfexhibited the fulfill
" OF all local Jealonsles, and exhibited spirit of
enterprise IN these regions, beyond all parallel
tie was opposed to the General Government us
taking internal improvement, but advocated
lis action in repeating the duty on rail road iron
ana granting OF alternate sections through which
roads might pass. This would be bounty grant
ed to internal Improvements, To which none cuuld
object. He considered the Mississippi as great
internal sea, and as loudly calling for defences
and fortlhcation on The part of the General Gov
eminent as the Atlantic frontier He trusted and
believed that the Convention wOnld 90 on har-
monlously, and was happy to recognize as one of
Its principles that nothing was To be muoted the
constitntionalily of which might be questioned by
any party" We regret ourinability at this time
to do more justice to this admirable address
The Convention was then farther pleted by
choosing fourteen Vice Presidents, and six Secre,
tarles. Most of the day was spent in hearing
Reports from the Committees appointed at the
July Convention. On Friday fifteen States were
represented, 564 Delegates present. Gen Gaines
was unanimously added to life list of Vice Presi-
dents. correspondent of the Charleston Cou-
rIer, reports for that paper abstract of the pro-
ceedings of the Convention, from which we take
the foowing:-
| The delegation from Tennessee asked for and
obtained permission TO Withdraw lin orderthat they
might be enabled 10 arrange between themselves
several difficulties which had grown up in relation
to the manner of casting the vote OF that State
part of this delegation appeared on The part of
the General Assemby,of Tennessee, now in SEES
sion at Nashville, and it was an exciting question
between them and their colleagues from the State
at large what position they should severally as.
/ he IN Mi
warmly, both in and out Of the body, on this
| point and many thought that it would end in an
immediate return home of the whole delegation
But fortunately this difficulty has been adjusted TO
| the satisfaction of all parties
Judge Clifton, of Mississippi, Offered a series of
resolutions TO concentrate The action of the Con
venlIon, by appointing single Committee, charg-
ed with all the matters or all subjects which are
proposed 10 be introduced. This resolution met
with warm resistance, inasmuch as it trenched
upon the province Of the various important Com
mlttees which had been appointed, many of whom
were with elaborate reports. Col Gadsden of
South Carolina, heartily opposed the resolution,
and upon call of the States being made, it was
lost large majority of the States voting a.
ganst 1t. South Carolina among the number.
gentleman from Illinois, Directing 10 the gov
eminent having any thing to do with internal i'm
provemenis, made reflections upon Mr.. Cal
houn's emitting The Mississippi river an internal
sea, and thus under the jurisdiction of the gov
eminent. He thought that such lax construction
would sweep in other modes of communication
viz: rail roads, if they happened TO pass through
several States. He said that Illinois was opposed
TO ,the government interfering in relation TO the
! Mississippi, but in this he was at once corrected
by almost the whole of her delegation present.
MIR. Calhoun, at this point, rose from the chair,
and confessed himself happy at an opportunity of
making himself properly understood by all mem
beTs OF the Convention. He was hostile to any
system Of internal improvement to be conducted
! by the Government. His experience as a Ieois-
lator had afforded him full opportunity to witness
the powerful local interest which could be BROUGHT
| into operation, and the system of ''lor rolling"
with which ii was connected The General
Government mad expended 16 or IL 900 900 dol.
lars for works, which, if thrown into the market.
would not bring 81 100000 He considered,
| however, the delences and Qualifications of the
Mississippi river avery different matter. It was
national questiOn-nGiionGL in the con,fifutionol
and .federafiUe sense. 10 no other sense could
| ours be considered as national Government. #
was community of nations, and not n nation
But, as Mr. Calhoun's views on these heads are
so well understood, we need not 60 at any onglh
into their expression here
The Convention spent the rest of the dav in