The southern press., 1851-12-23
VOL. Ill

OF our goods, ana llDeral, general, ana ulrect
intercourse with the different ports of Europe
matters of interest! Especially to the cotton
planters who control the commercial basis of
the world, who afford exchanges for the world,
who feed the world, who clothe it, and who are,
in return, abused and outwtted by the present
commercial controllers and agents Of the world
These things are admitted. 1t has been tried
for twenty years to correct these abuses through
intermediate parties, and we have always failed.
The reason is, that you give the control Of your
great staple into the hands of those who are per-
sonaliy Interested, in as expensive and compll
Gated system of commerce as possible; for, the
more the expense, The more their profts. There's
fore, "direct trade" (Which is tie simple trans
portation from one nation to another, III the
cheapest and most direct manner0 will never
find favor from New York and English agents.
II is mmaterial where men are born, or whara
rhey npe, .ner hearts are wi h their -fia4sure J;
and if i. be in New York and Liverpool, those
interests will be paramount to principle. The
South is too unsophislicated, and tie planters
should learn that her pas. history is history
of deceit and treachery, by those claiming to be
" Southerners!" not only politically, but com.
mercially. .-.
The Macon convention endorsed the resolu.
tons of Mr. BAYLOR, urging the participation
Of the planters in this enterprise The legisla-
lures of Alabama and Georgia have treated it
with great consideration, and the press through
out the country, except the New York Courier
and Enquirer, and its admirers and copyist>
South, have treated direct trade" as a grave
and highly important measure. Shall it fail?
Will the South add t,is also 10 the accumu ating
evidence of her inertness and apathy? The issue
in this question is brought home to the planters,
and purrosely. 1t is the test Of their capacity
for individual enterp Use. 1t will prove if they
are satisfied with their chains, and whether
Northern and English gold has purchased their
birth.right ....
The opponents Of "direct trade" ask g if the
Dutch want our cotton, why don't they come and
Buy e" We admit that they are foolish not to
do 80. But, that is not the question. The con.
u
The want of wisdom in the Dutch does not ex.
cuse our folly. We are more interested than
the Dutch. The course Of direct trade" is ad.
vocated by the friends of the planters--not Of
the Dutch We admit that Holland will re-
ceive great advantages; but it is madness for
us TO wait, or never move, because other peope
do not. 1t is literally cutting of ones nose to
spite the face.
No, the planters must overwhelmingly and
by comb nation, ard we earnestly recommend
the following organization, after a consultation
with the prominent movers in this measure.
LIST. Let the planters ship on their own account
either through their usual agents or the di.
rect trade houses, small portion Of their crop
or the whole, as they may choose. These ship
ments should be made pnh or uithom alliances.
for, the monied agencies of New York and Eng
land have refused, and will refuse TO negotiate,
hoping to break down the movement by press
,ng upon the necessities Of the planters. An
other thpg-Every dollar advanced under pre-
sent regulations, is deposit pf Southern capital
in Northern banks. Mark that. The ball mus
keep moving The planters must do it. II is
impossible for anything to be done without thi-
firm spirit Of determination. Let us, for ono,
have action. "Show your faith by your works
ID Societies should he formed in each coun.
ty. Three or four planters for instance, should
constitute themselves into a committee TO cor.
respond ith similar ones. These committees
should b. formed in every county in the South.
should be held annually, to discuss matters r.
laiing to commerce, agriculture, manufactures,
and shipping We tender the use Of our col.
ursns to publish essays and communications,
Of The crops, ~, should b. made. The mar
object Of these societies should be: "The com.
mercial independence Of lie South" through
the medium Of direct trade" Is il too much
trouble! Cannot The planters spare little time for
the interchange of views upon the great interests
If the Souihg Most assuredly. 1t is very little
trouble, ard we hope 10 see il done at once.
We would urge the press in the South, to Ell.
furce this idea upon their readers Gentlemen
| forming these societies will please forward the
name of the " club"--the post-ofice, county,
| &c.
Let us have rgnnization-lght, intelligence
and active enterprise. Let us have direct
trade" commercial independenee"-a separu,
ton from Northern and English monied bond.
age.
kossuth.
We publish, to-day, the exposition made by