The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-16
yon-Intercourse Policy.

The citizens Of Prince George county, Va
have been called upon 10 meet at their court
house, on the next court day, for the purpose
Of forming an association TO encourage and
patronize the use Of the manufactures and pro
auctions of the South, TO the exclusion OF all
Northern articles, as far as practicable; the
association to remain in full force just so long
as the violent and unjust interference Of the
North with the institutions of the South con
tinues.
The Petersburg blteliigeRe9 approves this
movement, and hopes that il may be warmly
seconded by other communities, not only in
Virginia, but the entire South. 1--WE may not
succeed" it says, Sat once in breaking up
this intercourse with our Northern foes. for
we have so long permitted ourselves TO be
dependent on them for almost every thing.
that it will take US some time fully to set up
for ourselves. But the object can be grad
ually accomplished if we only persevere in
united action. Let the merchants in Balti-
more, Norfolk, Richmond, and Petersburg.
have the assurance that If they import goods
directly from Europe the country merchants
will buy their surplus Of them, and there will
soon be such assortnenis Of goods in these
cities as will relieve the Southern merchant.
of the necessity Of going north of Balt-
more"
The Richmond Enquirer cordially approves
Of the meeting, but suggests that its action
should be so modified as 10 discriminate against
those non-slavcholding States which refuse to
do justice 70 the South by surrendering her
fugitive property, and which send majority
Of members TO Congress 10 agitate the slavery
question, and annoy and cndanger tho South
and the safety Of the Union"
Governor FLoYD sent special message to
tho Legislature Of Virginia, just before the
close Of its last session, foreshadowing similar
policy. We published, a few days since, OK
tracts from recent letter Of Governor Cot
LrER, Of Alabama, developing it more a, length
and in various aspects. South Carolina is put
ting il in practice. and Mr. Senator BERRrES,
an Georgia. advises high discriminating tax
on Northern goods, after they arrive in the
State. We cite from the Augusta Constliu-
iioHGlist 50 much Of a report Of a recent speech
Of that eminent Senator as relates to this special
topic, emitting the residue Of it az an obviou,
caricature and libel upon the Senator's remarks:
Secondly, that laws Of non inferoo,uss by the
act Of tho Legislature, unconstitutional; but
the Supreme Court had decided that we might
tax goods in their transit into the State, which
would answer the purpose-lct all goods free into
our markets, except such are manufactured in
the Northern States. Thirdly, invite a mutual
commercial intercourse ~ith foreign markcts snd
export and import directly from and 10 our sea-
ports, 20 wit Charleston, savannah, Mobile, and
the Florida Bay, and thus make our country en-
'porums and forfesso. To effect this, he sug
gested that the Legislature should appropriate to
this object; and il each Of the cotton Southern
States would lend their aid, steamer vessels, &c,
could soon be equipped 20 carry our produce, and
then would not be without gun to defend us
when necessary. lie enlarged upon our resources,
industry, capital, and railroads, and called upon
We TO be stimulated by spirit Of independence,
State pride, and ohiyalry. And should these ef
forts all fail TO give repose and peace from our
enemies, which was oplionary with them 10 give
% withhold, dissolution Of this Government was
inevitable. lie thought seoession, for the present
impracticable and inrokod the ardsnt pairiotisp
of its advocates TO suspend that policy till we eS
haustcd the measures nc hadsuggestcd, and should
his policy be Intellectual, separation would be
the result Of that failure