The southern press., 1851-09-06
For tAs Southern Press.

against the very laudable and efficient movement
now going on in the South for direct trade
with Europe. According to the position taken
by those parties, the question to be settled Is a
startling ore. The South, driven from all her
high grounds--her Southern rights" position
her "State sovereignty" platform--her as
sumption Of the right to equal protection and
equal privileges ir territory acquired mostly by
her blood, (beside being taxed unequally TO pay
for the war with Mexico)- the South, driven
by her own devotion to this glorious Union and
the intrigues and political power of her enemies,
Is, us a last hope, forlorn hope, turning her et-
forts TO adirect trade" hoping by the develop
uent Of her resources to acquire, without the aid
of the North. that influence which she has grad
ually lost through the supremacy OF Northern.
commerce founded upon Southern
staples. And what Is now the watch-word?
why. that II Is treason for the South SO TO act,
and that she has no right to engage in direct
trade 10 the Injury Of her dear neighbor, the
North, or her dearer friend, England! Friends
of the S0uth--friends Of direct trade-l beseech
Won 10 beware how you allow this dangerous
doctrine, under the endearing title of slime #
Union TO gain a foothold in your minds. The
friends OF direct trade" are as good Union men
as live. Many of those men have voted the
Union ticket throug, out, but they believe,
sincerely and honestly, that they have right to
enter into any commercial engagements they
may deem fit. have looked through the Con-
sttution, and read many arguments from able
jurists upon the manner OF constituting it, and
can find nothing in that instrument which COM
pels the planter to buy his goods from the
North at outrageous prices, consigning his pro-
duce 10 him for speculation, Especially as the
benefit OF the speculation never reaches the
planter or farmer) am totally unable to find
any constitutional objection to direct trade"
by any State, county, or individual of this coun-
try Has not New York direct trade? Why
should not Norfolk, Alexandria, Wilmington,
Savannah, Charleston, &c. &c, have it also?
Does not New York every day, yes, every hour,
extend her commercial operaiions-changiDg or
modifying them TO suit her oon convenience |!
Then why cannot we do the same! Is not New
York sapping the New Orleans trade bv her rail-
ways and agents upon the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers? II is not treason nor disunion with
her! Oh, no! nothing she does is disunion
nothing. Her agitations are merely religious
that's all But If the South assert her wrongs,
under a persecution which originated IN the
North-if she assert through her State egisla-
lures what she considers to be her rights-if
she rallies under the Constitution of her coun-
w,
out-if, indignant at her outragas and wrongs,
she speaks of her sovereign independence, she
| is patted on the head like little chid-a little
candy is given her in the way of a Buffalo plat
form-then she is accused of Ggitation-her
State resolutions, even by her own after action,
| made rdculous-the Constitution pronounced
submissive to the higher law, Cher conscientious
perceptions not being consulted0 and her (" Male
sovereignty given up. "Oh! how fallen!"
| Where, where is the genius that captivated
the world-the heroism that established a Wes-
tern empire! Where is the blood of her mighty
dead! Are there no veins through which il
courses? Is there not one drop in some great
heart that thrills with sympathy while reading,
in burning letters, the history Of her wrongs
Where is her majesty and her strength? Why,
under the iron wheels of mamnion Yes, com
pIefelv bound up and secured in the commercial
and manufacturing greatness of the North, and
her ally England. The South sees this. Her
statesmen, ner mechanics, her merchants, her
plan. ers, the very BOYS in debating schools, per-
ceive II, and this feeling spreading, and her
wrongs continuing, she at last determines to
st-ike at the root of all her evils-break up her
commercial alliances with New York and Eng
land, and attach herself TO more friendly and
less selfish interests. But what is the cry
Treason Treason! Disunion! Disunion And
the war of opposition begins, ave, even in her
own midst Oily persuasion-bribery in the
way of facilities to the timid-po'
/ litica power TO her leaders "You will en-
danger the Presidential election;" "you will
arouse the North. and they will crush you; =
"a stop this direct trade movement, and we will
stop the @nigger question:" give us your
cotton, and we will let your rooliy heads alone;
believe us" believe, says the North. "We
have deceived you often, very often; we have
broken religious faith with you; we have broken
political pledges; we have speculated TO your
ruin on your produce we have taken advantage
of your extrayagant and confdng notions, and
made immense fortunes out Of you; but, but
believe Us this time. Trade with us-we love
the dollar more than the "nigger." Shall we
listen to these things longer! Here is an issue
npon which the South can stand firm as a rock
| You political humbugs cannot dstort II. We
have certainly right 10 trade direct" and n
well established commercial policy would give
1 us all we ask, and, at the same time check the
principle of concentration illustrated In New
| York and London, and beginning 20 be felt
throughout the world. IL would give another
and safer channel for the excited state Of feeling
In the South. Il would develope her latent re-
sources. II would furnish employment 10 her
mechanics--build up her shipping interest
induce capital from abroad 10 be invested In
her internal improvements, and reduce the
balance standing against her of more @imports'
than exports" and which balance, bye the bye,
Is more Of qualify than quantity, the balance
going In IN the pockets OF active intermediate
parties in England and the North. The ques-
ton (as above stated that is now put TO the
South il a fearful one. Before answering it
look at your past history-look at your com.
merce-your social and political posiiion--ai
the result of your elections. Areyou goiag "a
be driven from this legitimate platform by hs
cru of " disHaioi" or persuaded from lt by po.
iificdl aspiran,s and PoiIicai organs, 'rho s'e
more interested in he general result n ihe Presi.
Dental election han IN your fate This move
ment is purely and entirely eotnmerciei. and its
friends do not desire any political influence "a
bear upon Il for n movement Of this sort must
depend for success upon its meriis, and upon
sectional or political agitation. Therefore its
friends. tlet them be Wings or Democrats, dis
unionists or Union men. or whatsoever name
II Il = III s.l..rv anHf fem. In