The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-07

course, by steamboats,, with Europe. marks most
important in the history OF Virginia ms Slate
richly favored, perhaps. any other IN The Union,
in the natural advantages OF soil. climate, WATERPROOF
or, coal, iron and tmber-has. as yet, failed TO de-
veop fully these advantages, and has. therefore. not
kept pace with other sections Of the Union, which have
been more active in opening the channels OF trade and
commerce To remedy this failure is the object Of this
convention and we hail its assemblage with just conf
dence in the of its abors.
The railroad has done TO stimulate the spirit OF
enterprise and call forth the dormant OF Nature.
than any single cause and there to be limit to
the extent of its utility in this respect But in proper
ton cheapens the OF transportation, and aids
the powers OF production, must there be corresponding
preparations overcome the obstacles nterposed by
Nature to the transit of those productions across the
ocean and it is in this point OF view that il becomes
important to make judcious investments of capital.
However much State section of our Union may be
benefited by the number of its railroads. il cannot realize
the maximum of this benefit if it shall not have pro.
vided at the same me corresponding facilities for those
instruments necessary to the supply OF the foreign
consumer Of the productions exported These produc-
tons will seek the depos where the foreign consumer
be most cheaply supplied naturally water seeks
its level If, for example, Virginia had system OF in
ternal improvement extensive that of New York,
and created no to transport the products circu
lated by that system from point within her limits, they
would necessarily seek the point where those means ex-
isled and the of carrying the productions to that
point would be loss 10 Virginia. any other State thus
situated.
Ii is not, however, as sectional question, implying
hostility TO New York any other northern interest,
that the great movement going in the South for
the establishment of direct trade with Europe is enlist
ing the support of southern capital and labor Because
the South will be made richer by such trade it does not
follow that New York, Philadelphia and Boston, will be
made poorer On the contrary, experience has already
chat the multiplication OF railroads and the rapid
increase OF the value OF productions rarely disturb
the relative advantage already possessed by those depots
which Nature had marked out and If locality hereto
fore suffering for convenient outlets for its produce Gre
aes these outlets the prosperity thus acquired is no de-
ducon from that enjoyed by the distant depos pre-
yousIy used In this respect railroads only illustrate on
more extended scale the truth OF that principle often
realized in the smaller affairs of life that the prosperity
of an individual if the result OF monopoly or exclu-
sive privilege is general benefit to his neighbors SO
are the interests of trade and commerce in all
the localities and sections of happy country, that II
seems impossible for all no, to be benefited by any cause
which advances rapidly those of any one.
So far therefore from considering the eor, of Virginia
to establish direct trade with Europe, and TO attract
to her great shipping port fair portion Of the productions
of the West and South founded any views OF hos.
y to the northern sections Of country, we regard
il as the legitimate suggestion OF interests which are in ac
cord with the highest attachment TO Union, and
hat Wi
do nothing 10 weaken those fra,ernal ties that bind
us together people. In whatever aspect viewed
The manifestations which exist-of the determination
Of Virginia and the South. secuon to establish lines
of direct intercourse with Europe and to create as fast as
possible the railroads and other internal improvements
necessary TO the transportation and development OF then
immense productions and resources-are Calculated to
cheer the heart OF the patriot and TO disspa'e the ieas
which had been somewhat justified, that fanatcsm on
the subject Of slavery would draw still further apart he
North and the South.
From such look TO the Richmond con-
yenton for the best resussuch results as will command
the espec, and concurrence of every candid mind North
Sou,h Eas, and West-results which, in giving to Viz
snia and the South commercial equality, will do much
to maintain and orify that political equality which II is
the objec, of our institutions TO preserve
We therefore remind the convention soon to assemble
at the capital of the Old Dominion, that the eyes OF en-
ahtened observers open, and ready TO sgnalze
their action as OF the greatest importance to the whole
Union as well as the South The members OF that body,
bv their moderation 6rmness, and patriotism, can make
their meeting period OF grateful remembrance They
can. by enthusiastic combination, give an impulse to the
deveopment OF southern trade and which will
nj, only benefit the South, considered section but
the whole Union, composed il is OF parts that seek
HARMONY and fraerna operation, naturally as the
waer. from our mountains do the common level OF the
ocean The direct trade which they seek to establish is
hut link OF the railroad system which is 10 bring to
Virginia her natural share Of commerce with the Mis's
spp valley and il the railroad be the great equalizer
and distributor of commercial and political power, as has
been Justly said what higher motive can be appealed TO
Than that which should prompt an assembly, whose ac-
ton will greatly influence the judicous progress OF such
an instrument OF our prosperity, to be calm and
moderate at the same time that they are practical and
energetic
IsTRopucrIoN OF COAL INTO EsoLAsD-When this
fue was frs, introduced into in England the prelu
dice was so strong that the Commons petiiioned the
Crown to prohibit the "noxious' fuel royal procla-
nation having failed TO abate the growing nuisance, a
commisson was issued TO ascertain who burned coal
within the city and its neghborhood and to punish them
bv fine for the frs, offence and by demolition OF their fur
- A n WI a