Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-11-18
DIRECT TRADE WITH TIE SOUTH.

DIRECT TRADE WITH The SOUTH.
It has been common at the South, and it is so
now at the North, to say that the Southern are
great agricultural States, and it is their destiny
to be confined, to the productions of the soils
In some respects, the South has falsiied this
very common assertion. Her numerous man.
ufacturing establishments, and other diversions
of labor ard capital, have subtracted, in no
inconsiderable degree, from her. agricultural
Nursuts.
But manufacturing alone can neither devel-
)pe the resources and wealth of the South, nor
relieve her Of her present commercial depen-
dence upon the North. Our expectations III
cotton, rice, sugar, tobacco, &C., are immense
ly greater than those of the North, and yet
how Is it with the return trade These products
are taken by a circuitous route to Liverpool,
and other foreign markets, III Northern vessels.
The importations show how this system works
New York imports from SIX to eight times as
much rs all the Southern States put together
Her importations vary from $l00,0O0,0G0 to
sI3O,O0O,OOO; those of all the Southern States
put together vary from 100000 to 20,0oC,-
OOO Why are the importaions of New York
SO heavy. compared to those of the Southern
States9 Why, simply because she imports for
them. Three. .fourths of her importations are
intended for the Southern and South Western
States. The South pays the expenses TO New
York in going and frcm New Y ork, in return,
to her own ports and interior towns, besides
others of an enormous nature.
She is not only subjected to heavy expenses
by this method of conveying her products to
foreign markets, and receiving her supplies in
return, but she loses all the advantages result
ing from this foreign commerce. 1t is that
which adds so much to Northern weath-de.
corates their cities with such magnificent pal
aces, and makes people not blessed with
fruitful soil, or desirable climate, the richest
in our land.
Why is it that the South will not shake of
its lctharsy, and vie with the North in blowing
the great deep, to build up her cities and towns,
and pour into her bosom the rich treasures
which flow from this prolific source! Is eli
mate against us? We have te finest climate
in the world, and our rcities-Rchmond, Charles
ton, Savannah, Mobile, New Orleans, &c, Tor
any term of years, will compare favorably with
the great Northern cities. Do we lack intel
lect? The South has shown, from the origin
of our government, that she is fully the equal
of the North in intellect. Southern materials,
for ship building. are said to equal any in the
world What then, is in the way? Why
nothing that we can conceive of, but an indls-
position to give up old practices and habits.
Capital must be invested in land and negroes,
for the purpose of making more cotton, and
what is the result9 1t very often obtains a
lean per cent. when the large production Of
cotton depresses the price below the point of
remuneration.
Some of the Southern States have reason
to boast of their rail roads, as well as their
manufacturing establishments. With the pow
er of railroads to produce wealth, the country
is familiar. The facilities they afford to the
public, could not now be dispensed with.
Railroads are increasing on every hand, and
factories are constantly going up, with their
machinery to be propelled by steam in some
instances, but in most cases by the abundant
water power of the country. These are doing
much for the Southern States
1t would be depression from Our main OBJ
iect to descant upon the advantages which
thew SO signally afford. How important it
would be to add TO these the advantages OF a
direct foreign commerce.
We question whether they can be secured till
the South shakes off her feeling Of dependence
upon the North. She cannot do that By her
railroads and manufactures alone. She wants
her commercial marine her extensive shipping
interest-her commerce with foreign nations,
by direct expectations and importations She
wants her hardy sailors and seamen, some of
whom could be easily converted from the
peaceful pursuits OF commerce, into brave and
hardy tars, to fight, if necessary, her battles
upon the ocean.-Augusta Constumionahs.
The Difficulty in Ne~ .Merico, betpeen the
Mericans and Americans.-It has been stated
that two recent murders of American citizens,
near Sata Fe, had produced much enmity IN
the minds Of the Americans against the Mex-
cans-a feeling which appears to have been
growing gradually some time previous to those
occurrences, but which now threatens an out
breok of q serious character A public meet.