Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-05-03
Nnp-Intarc0UrSC.

tcians in the South to denounce every thng a i'il
and worthless that fails to meet their pecu-
liar views of policy. If they fail to see In any move
ent to their peculiar projects they are at once
aroused into opposition. 1t is natural LOT hieh ""o
nerfer nersona ACKNOWLEDGEMENT more than the prosPe
ritv of the community of which they are members, 10
decrv all efforts to render independent such commune
tv of their particular aid Any policy therefore, '""
depends not upon the political Jackai OF the DiaA'
demaoogue for success, is bound to ind III such od
acters fierce opponents and INSCRIPTIONS denouhcerS
Such is the case in regard to the policy OF system Oh
commercial non-intercourse with the North. 1t Is
system that depends for success upon SOUND anu
healthy pubic opinion 1t requires none OF the Wlhdy
determinations of the political mountebank, nor Is II
subject falling within the range OF plotting
when once under way. 1t is system that encompass
es all classes and draws from each nothing puI "ldU
each class would contribute under any other system OF
commercial intercourse. 1t demands no pecumary
sacrifice of anv class in the end and is in fact only eX
CHANGING one market for another Instead OF purchas
mo merchandise from and enrichng those who are en-
deavoring to degrade and destroy the South the nom
intercourse policy proposes to change that trade and
seek connections with those markets governedby more
respect for the rights and interests of those with whom
thew are commercially associated, than is manifested
by our Northern brethren.
While the policy of non-ntercourse is nowhere d.
rectv assaed it is the theme of comment and sneers
Talk to an opponent of the policy question him as to
his objections and he will urge but objecton-it
is impractcabe. And why Oh, because it is. In
an intelligent crowd such reply would obtain for its
author nothing but contempt and this is the only an
swer we have ever heard given by those who oppose
1t dgnifed by the whole batch of opposers con-
elusive argumentagaust its adoption. Some the pub
lie presses of the State have declared it mpractcabe
and wholly unworthy of attention. They have given
no reason beyond the sweeping announcement of its
impractcabty 1t is not very patriotic to cast aside
any policy that has and interest both to sustain
it without some proof that it is mpractcabe. 1t said
that too much time will be consumed in getting it into
operation Is this valid objection No. Were it
possible to project it within hour the entire
South we are free to say that would result in no
manent good and cause immense difficulty North and
South 1t is policy to become beneficial to the South
and destructive of Northern interests that requires
only time but patience Under its influence the whole
business relations of the Slave States would undergo
complete revolution. Instead of one occupation, we
should see capital seeking new channels, and labor
every where diversified Millions capital that is now
4 paying large dividends at the North would seek en-
poyment at the South not in planting, but in manu-
featuring and mechanical pursuits Withdraw the
trade from Northern capital and that capital will seeE
elsewhere for to remunerate itself twill alsC
draw after it the manual skill that renders its employ
ment profitable. Suppose the people of the State
Mississippi and Alabama to refuse to purchase
boot shoe, hat, piece of cotton goods manuactur
ed in Massachusetts, 1t is very evident that such re
fusa to trade with the people of Massachusetts wou
result disastrousy to that State In all probability
thousands would be bankrupted in one year. The ca
lamty would not cease here The cotton mills wouI
close, the work shops be shut up and the laborers il
the pursuits branded would be upon the cold sym
pathes of the world. Mechanics must have work o
they are pendent-give them work and they are in
dependent If the trade is destroyed all are dependen
who were supported by that trade, and all see
some other means of subsistence. The field for cap
tai, enterprise and energy is open at the South-th
unemployed capital and the idle mechanical labor wi
find not only profitable investment but permanent EN-
ployment here, and here it will come.
One step has been made. Let US look at the next
Capital is invested and it pays we-mechanical abo
is wanted and where will it be found Not at tn
South. 1t will follow the capital and failing to fin
employment at the North it will seek it here. Non
intercourse then proposes not only make the Sout
wholly independent but prosperous. 1t proposes
put the mills down by the cotton fields and not incu
longer the whitening that the planter pays prof
to those who carry his cotton to the MILL and salts
fed with that very stupid transaction he TRIBES tn
profits to those who return it him in the manuaC
tured FORM 1t proposes to increase our capital in
: permanent manner and to increase the population
proposes to arm the South against Northern abolition
i ism. 1t dries up her power commercially for harm
and numerically it weakens her. This requires time
1t is not the labor of hour. Long years has tn
North been striving for the mastery-she possesses
now at the sacrifice of much labor, dignity and homo
The South with berality worthy kinder and more re
spectul treatment has gradually been pushed to poir
, where forbearance ceases to be a virtue She mus
now remedy her by slow, but sure and stead
policy
!, Non-ntercourse encourages direct trade with tn
commercial powers of Europe and this at all times is
desirable policy. England is the great purchaser {
the great Southern product-cotton fit were nece;
sary for the safety of the institution of slavery to
peal to extraneous aid, seven Southern States coul
= command their own terms. They could work perfe,
, revolution in England, change her commercial polio
and cripple her monetary affairs to such an extent as
bankrupt half of Europe. And yet with power MOI
potent for evil than Alexander Boneparte ever we
y ed, told that commercial system of non-inte
- course is impracticabIe
There are projects more impracticable than non-i,
tercourse, and the leaders of the States Rights party
Mississippi had well prepare their minds to take II
lead in policy that promises success, than be force