The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-08

~ We commend to the attention of South
ern Planters and Merchants, the suboned article
from the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph:
PLANTERS CoNvENTIoS-IV have often heard
it asserted as political truism, that the strength
and durability of the Southern States, dwelt in
the planters of the country-that they We're the
true conservatives--the pillars on which rested
its prosperity and perpetuity. How well has the
action of the recent Cotton Planters Conven
tion," in this city, verified the belief. The coun-
try has been doctored and dosed, by the poll.
ticans and demagogucs, and fanatics, until it has
been reduced to q state of complete marasmus
and hardly has strength and vitality enough to
keep together soul and body The action of this
convention seemed to awaken the people like q
galvanic shock from their dreaming SAUNDERS
and to arouse them at once to the true Southern
policy.
We have heard but one continued expression
of appreciation from people of every calling, on
the subject of direct trade" as passed in the
resolution of the convention. II is a subject
which the people wish unbound
and isolated from all political parties-they will
not have it affiliated or amagamated with polit-
cal craftsmanship a subject of political
economy, they deem IL due to the proper des-
tiny of the Southern States, to urge on with
great energy the system of direct trade" and
thus make them the wealthiest-the happiest
and The freest people on the surface of the globe
For years past we have depended upon the
North alone for our goods. She has taken our
prOduce--transacted our commerce heeced our
pockets-attacked our northumberland
our social system, and defrauded us of our
rights. We have toiled TO build up her splen.
did commerce, and her magnificent ciies-we
have conquered for her new territories, and
have thrown into her lap the riches of Aladin's
lamp-we have borne in taxation the heaviest
burden of goYernment--we have been for her
"hewers of wood and drawers Of water" and
now, when the chance is presented to us of
freeing ourselves from this infatuated bondage,
and Of reaping the rewards of our own industry
shall we, like the sluggard, say, "A little more
sleep--a little more slumber 2" or shall we take
advantage of the prevailing sentiment, and unite
in common effort TO reap the reward of our
toll and industry, and to surround ourselves with
that strength of wealth and power, which shall
make our institutions mprt enable TO all out
ward combinations!
Why should we make New York or any
Northern city the via through which our pro.
duce shall reach its European destination
Why pay tariffs which can be saved, or com.
missions which should remain in our own peck.
etsl Why enrich Northern merchants aud i'm.
poyerish our own Why build up Northern
cities, when our own are deapidated-the poll
cy is the spawn Of madness and faulty Let
the people then join the planters in "A general
move to create direct importatons" Let
vessels bring goods directly into Southern ports,
If they want Southern produce, and we then
can make the exchange ourselves, and thus reap
the profits of the transaction-we can save that
which the North now reaps from this business,
and with this additional wealth, we may promote
internal development and home industry in every
branch and department of trade, whether aqri
cultural, mechanical, or manufacturing, and thus
bring 20 light all the hidden stores of wealth
in the South, which otherwise will slumber for
ever.
in CONNECTION with this subject, we think it
would be wisdom on the part Of our Legislature
10 appoint committee TO report on our lumber
trade, and the capabilities of Georgia for the
building Of vessels--the people want statistical
information on this subject, will not the legsla.
ture take steps to give them reliable information,
by the appointment of n committee for this pur.
pose 1t il the general impression, that our
State, in quantity and quality of ship building,
timber is inferior to no State in the Union, and
in fact that lumber is daily shipped 10 the North
from our shores for the purpose Of building ships
If these facts be properly investigated and placed
before our public their ship building will become
n fresh source of wealth. and new arm Of power,
whose lever force will Of itself be nearly sufii.
cient TO remove and overturn every conceivable
obstruction TO "drect trade"
The planters have set the ball in motion, will