Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-09-08

the editorial fraternity OF tho Otatcs th0
propricsy Of holding convention st Staun-
ton. the 26th Of September. There will
no doubt BE- large sMeadauee Of the pro-
fcssion at the two conventions, which meet
IN that town, the two days previous, and
as we think with the Gazette, that good
will result" from such movement, we Sc
cond the suggestion Of our contemporary.
and call Tor an expression Of views from
our brethren Of the pfcss.
The Commercial Dope nd q nee o.
the SOspth On the North.
We take tho very sensible article which
follows, from tho Southern STANDARD. Is.
C.) rcmurking that the advice it gives is as
applicable to Norfolk and Richmond, as
to Charleston and New Orleans.
There is. probably, mo country ON the
face Of the earth. possessing more natural
advantages for large and extensive com,
mcrcc, than the Southland yet, we al
low those advantages to remain unim-
proved, and the immense profits to be de-
rived therefrom, to be reaped BY our more
active and onterprising neighbors Of tho
North. We produce the main supply OF
cotton for the world--thc great artery
through which the liic-blood Of commerce
hows-besidcs which, rice, sugar, hemp,
and many other articles out Of which
commerce should arise, that would enrich
every seaport at the South, and almost
pave their streets with gold. Yet. how Is
it that with all these vast resources for COM
mcrcc within ourgrasp. our energies should
so long have remained dormant, and our
commercial cities mere depots for Northern
enterprise. Tariffs may have had their in
huencc, government legislation may have
had some effect, but the main difficulty has
| been IN our own supnencss and lack Of en-
orgy. Our merchants have been content,
instead of boldly cmbarking in tho field Of
commercial enterprise themselves, to be
the factors and agents for Northern mcr-
chants. The enterprise Of Northern mcr-
chants penctrates every clime-thcir ships
are found in The Polar sens, in the vast Pa
cifc, on the broad Atlantic. They come
back to our shores laden with rich stores
from all quarters ofthc globe; silks and teos
of China, coffee from Brazil, the manulac.
lures of England, France, the spice Of Su-
matra, the gold Of California; for almost
every article of necessity and luxury We
use from foreign countries, we are indcbt
| cd to Northern enterprise To which we an
nually pay large tribute, the immense
profits of which might accrue TO ourselves,
had we the enterprise and energy 10 enter
the field. Will any man Of sense pretend
to say, that there is any action oflhc gene
raj government 10 prevent merchant OF
Charleston, Savannah or New Orleans,
from fitting out ships for tho Whaling busi-
ness, importing teas from Canton or coffee
from Brazil! Are tho duties on foreign
goods any higher in Charleston than in n.
York! Look at our iorcigndry goods trade.
Frcights to Charleston are lower in Liver
pool than to New York. Exchange on
Europe can be had ut lower rate in
Charleston than New York. No ono will
pretend to say that II II. York merchants
money will bny more goods in MancheS-
ter and Birmingham than Charleston
merchants. Yet, how is it, that Of the vast
amount of foreign goods sold in Charleston
so few are imported direct! How is II, that
annually our jobbcrs 90 TO the North and
| brv their stocks Of Northern importcrsl
They cannot be so vcrdant as to suppose
that these importers sell their goods with
out a profit. There has been no effort
made to secure this trade. We have nor,
Gle commission merchant for the sale
Of foreign dry goods. We have none to
point out to the English, French and Ger
man manuiacturerihe advantages he might
gain by shipping his surplus stocks TO our
market. We will venture TO say, II houses
with capital, knowledge of the business,
and energy Of character. would enter into
this branch Of business, alone, they would
reap a rich harvest. The trade Of Charles
ton alone would supporttwcn'y such hous
es. Why is it that so large portion Of
our country merchants seek their supplies
in the Northern markets. 1t is because
they know our iobbcrs bny their goods
there and they think they are paying two
sets Of proftsl
| One of the most cartaIn laws OF trade Is,
that men will buy where they can buy the
cheapest and as long as we allow Northern
enterprise to monopolizc the importing bus
mess of the country, so long will Southern
merchants iorsake their own seaporfs. and
swarm in locks annually, TO make their
| purchases at the North. In the leading arii-
Gle of coilcc,it is estimated that 40 TO $4,000
bugs are annually sold in Charleston, and
yet of this very large portion is imported
ria the North. We arc glad to say, with
in few years past, public attention has
been called to this subject and is giving
some evidences that the dormant spirit otour
merchants is awakening to their true in
lcrest. Our direct imporiatons Of foreign
dry goods, hardware and crockcry are IN
crcasing, our West India business supplies
the market fully with sugar and molasscs
IL is not an uncommon thing to see car
go of Rio coffee imported direct, and wo
even hear Of n cargo OF gunny cloth on
the way from Calcutta. This is but a
small beginning. Much more remains tn
be done Southern merchants must arouse
themselves. Capitalists mustc' me forward
and help the Cause. They must circulate
their wealthy boards, giving life and ami
nation to trade, and reaping rich returns
for themselves. They must not be con
tent with locking up their means in bank
aud State stocks, iorlvcand six pr Ct inter
est. Such investments will do for old wo-
men and minor children. Men should al
ways strive and work II is this which
gives life and impulse TO mercantile enter
prise at the North. Our merchants, If sue
cessful enough to make $50 or 100000
retire from business, and invest their mon
ey in stocks or IN a plantation. Where we
leave of, heybegin. A merchant IN New
York whenhc has made 800 or 5000, 900
thinks he has just got capital enough b
begin to do business His ideas expand;