Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1852-01-20
From the Washington Union.
DIRECT TRADE "

To THE PLANTERS OF THE SOUTli AND lHE
FRIENDS OF SOUTHERN COMMERCE.,
NV private letters from Europe, which |
found waiting me in Washington, indicated
that the political affairs of the continent, and
the management and dip iplomacy Of New York
and Liverpool had made an impression upon
the commercial disposition in Amsterdam in
relation to cooperation to essist the planters
of the South to resist the New York and
Liverpool monopoly of our trade. My advlees
from Messrs. Gadsden g. co, of Charleston,
confirm the intimaton thrown out, that the
state of trade and politics in Europe will not
incline Messrs. Hartsen and Brother to advan-
ce the full, or nearly the full value on cotton,
&c. They have written nothing to me on the
subject, but infer from the tenor OF their
communication to Messrs Gadsden d Go.
that the position have contended for will at
last have to be taken by the planters; that Is,
to view direct trade as 4 southern enter
prise for the benefit of the planters, and there.
fore an interest to be promoted by them.
Difficulties are to be expected, and must
be met and overcome. This is not ques-
ton to be decided by one or two more houses
according to their humor or convenience, but
is policy deeply connected with the very ex.
istence of the Southern Statcs-a matter of
great and grave importance, to be preserved in,
worked at, and advanced as an absolute, ne
cessary and permanent interest. The habit OF
relying solely upon Others has been one OF the
causes of Southern decline The planters
must RELY upon themselves; this very case is
an evidence oft. There is nothing in the let
ter of Messrs. Hartzen and Brother that al
fects this principle. stated to them, as have
often said, that the necessities of some OF our
planters required advances to a certain extent,
but that their affairs were sufficietly lndeFend-
ent to enable them, by contributions OF cotton in
small way to begin the trade and lay toun-
dation. establish confidence and connection,
which would admit Of the safe investment OF
foreign captal But these are minor consid.
erations The great questions are, " Must we
have direct trade %" Will it benefit the South %
" Will it benefit the planters s' These are Tue
questions to be asked. We must not give up
the objection on account Of difficulties.
What credit is it to sell cotton tor IA hand
some price for where is the enterprise OF the
South, when other people come to us and buy
as suits their interest! The planters must
have enterprise. IF cannot do great deal,
let US do little. If the revolutionary tenden-
cy of the continent affects the money market,
and rivits still more sure y the commercial
power of England, and her sympathlzer IN com.
merce, in New York, upon US, we must decide
to act independently of these influences. Each
planter can secd a small portion OF his crop,
and if we can obtain advance SO much the bet
ter; but if the diplomacy and commercial pow.
er of England cut US off from that assistance,
it is the duty of the planters to ship without ad.
vances. The hereditary system of advances
is the greatest evil of the South. The only ar
gument for it is its necessity. 1t insolves the
planter by anticipation, aud eats "r his means
by interest on the money, and gives the pow
er, and control of our great staple into the
hands of Others Every doller advanced is a
deposite of Southern wealth in Northern
banks But these are difficulties, and they
must be overcome. Let us commence III a
small way, and keep the ball moving. For
the purpose Of discussion and consultation
there should be general organization IN the
different counties, and there should he some
definite plan for a more comp plete combina-
tion of the planters.
In the meanwhile, il my friends have sufi-
CleHl CoUllueUCe lli VIII iSCcNS
ments in Amsterdam myself, and devote my
whole attention to those interests confded to
me. | am not able to advance, wish that
was, and can only say that make this
proposition from the necessities of the case.
Direct trade must go ahead; and if the
world is allied against the planters and south
ern interests, as involved in her commercial
affairs. and a powerful moneyed combination
is arrayed against US to fleece and to opprcss us,
why, we must meet the issue. and take an i'll
diyidual interest in our own affairs. The cot
ton yarn interest confded to me will also be
attended to The appeal is therefore to the
planters to aid and assist in the movement.
The friends OF direct trade are not six months
recruits we are enlisted for the war, and, if
we are overpowered, we will at least die f.,':;
ing.
sincerely hope that the spirit and enter.
prise of the planters will be aroused by the
Importance of the issue. We are not engaged
in schoolboys game. 1t is a question in
volvng the commercial power of New York
and the diplomatic policy Of England, which
influences will most certainly be arrayed a
gainst us; and if our cause fails this time, we
will relapse into more abject commercial ser
vitude.
For Heavens sake, then, let those who arc
the friends of the measure, and whose affairs