The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-04
WILLIAM WALKER, Chairman.
THos. J. HUMPHRYs, Secretary

DIRECT TRADE.-The Charleston News says
Every thing tends auspiciously in this direc-
rection. Public enterprise is fully awakened to
its advantages throughout the Southern Atlantic
section of the Union. Charleston is rapidly as
suming her true commercial position, as the
centre of direct trade to Europe. She must be-
come the emporium Of the Southwest. The
legislature Of South Carolina has given an i'm
pulse to tho spirit Of enterprise, which is re-
sponsive to the public voice. 1t extends the
arm of help to the associated capital which has
boldly conceived the scheme Of steam naviga-
ton across the Atlantic, connecting Charleston
socially, commercially, and politically, with her
natural allies of the West. The late act lend
ing $125,00O to the Atlantic Steam Navigation
Company, for FIVE years, without interest, is a
measure Of large liberality. 1t will compare
with any act of similar character in the annals
of legislation. 1t meets the spirit in which the
legislature of Tennessee has acted by its large
subscription to the Nashville railroad, while it
is the complement to that other act of public
Iiberality the subscription of the city Of Charles
ton to the same enterprise.
| These are measures that work together in
happy correspondence-th operate in the same
line Of Improvement What are railroads with
out steam navigation to perfect foreign COM
merce? What, in this view, is rapidity Of trans
portation on land, without commensurate ra
pidity and regularity Of transit on sea? What
is the value Of that intercourse which connects
Charleston with the valley of the Mississippi, IL
she is not commercially connected with those
markets of foreign supply which directly afford
the equivalent for her exports. Liverpool and
Charleston have the same natural nffinitics which
bring Charleston into connection with Nashville
and the towns of the interior.
But to render that trade mutually beneficial
TO bring these points into direct and perua-
nent intercourse--the markets on the Atlantic,
which ARE supplied with stocks from Europe
brought within reach Of inland merchants, with
the precision Of steam---require correspondent
spirit on the part Of purchasers, fully to carry
out this scheme of direct trade. Of what uti-
mate benefit would be the most perfect system
of direct intercourse, il the arrangements are to
terminate in infficent purchases BY our inland
Traders If heavy stocks are laid in here at re-
gular periods, equal in prices, terms of credit
and assortments, to what can DO obtained else
where, while supplies are purchased In Charles
ton spariugly, such trade will soon cease to pre-
sent Inducements for its continuance. II follows
that steam navigation, railroads. and all the other
appliances Of direct trade will not fully extend
their advantages, unless the great body Of the
merchants in the Interior enter into the scheme
with the heartircss, the zeal, the public spirit
that characterize those who venture their capital.
expepd their energy and perfect their arrange
ments. In the hope of building up on sure and
broad foundations the fabric Of free trade.