The southern press., 1851-12-09

Is" We commend to the attention of South
ern Planters and Merchants, the subjoined article
from the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph:
PLANTERS CoNvENTIoN-We have often heard
it asserted a political trui, H. that the strength
and durability Of the Southern States, dwelt in
the planters OF the cOuntry-lhat they We're the
true conservatives-the pillars on which rested
lis prosperity and perpetuity How we'll has the
action of the recent Cotton Planters Cunven
tion," in this city, verified the belief. The coun-
try has been doctorcd and dosed, by the poll
tcans and demagOgucs, and fanatics, until it has
been reduced to D state Of complete marasmus.
and hardly has strength aud vitality enough to
keep together soul and body. The action of this
convention seemed TO awaken the people like
galvanic shock from their dreaming slumbers
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 trate" Us passed in the
resolution of the convention. 1t is n subject
which the people wish unbound-unfettered
and isolated from all political parties-they will
not have il affiliated or amalgamated with poit.
ical parti,anship-but as a subject of political
economy, they deem it due to the proper des.
tiny Of the Southern States, TO urge on with
thus make them the notwithstanding 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 commrrce-heecpd our
pockets-atlacked our Northumberland
our social system, aud detrauded us Of our
rights. We have toiled TO build up her splen.
did commerce, and her magnificent cilies-we
have conquered for her new territories, and
have thrown into her lap the riches Of Aladns
lamp-we have borne in taxation the heaviest
burden Of gOvernment-we have been for her
"hewers of wood and drawers Of water = and
now, when the chance is presented TO us oI
freeing ourselves from this initiated bondage,
aud of reaping the rewards Of our own industry
shalt we, like the slug gard, say, "a little mere
sleep-a little more slumber!" 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 impr enable TO all out
ward combinations
Why should we make New York or any
Northern city the riH 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.
pOveish our own Why build up Northern
Cities when our own are delapidated tine poll.
cy is the spawn Of madness and faulty. Let
the people then join the planters in general
move to create direct importaiions." Let
vessels bring goods directly into Southern ports,
il they want Southern produce, and we then
can make the exchange ourselves, aud thus real
the profits of the transaciion-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 agri
cultural, mechanical, or manufacturing, and thus
bring TO light all the hidden stores of wealth
in the South, which otherwise will slumber for.
ever.
In connexion with this subject, we think il
would be wisdom on the part Of our leg stature
to appoint committee to report on our lumb
trade, and the capabilities Of Georgia for the
building Of vessels--the people want statistical
information on this subject, will not the legisIa.
ture take steps TO give them reliable ilformaiion
by the appointment Of committee for this pur.
pose! 1t is 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 Msrth
from our shares jor The purpose NJ building ships
II these facts be properly investigated and placed
before our public, their ship building will become
a fresh source Of wealth, and a new arm OF power,
hose lever force will Of itself be nearly sufli
cient TO remove and overturn every conceivable
obstruction to "direct trad !"
The planters have set the ball in motion, will