Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-25

MARYLAND .5 Missouri. 49,. % = Alabama ....lS
Kenucky I'LL Illinois. ........vl Louisiana 70
Texls ...,.,......7 Virginia ....,.;5 Mississippi 9o
Tennessee POI s. Carolina. .,.,.3 Indiana .........l
Arkansas Georgia ..........9 Florida. ....i
The Convention was called to order by Major JAsxs
PSS, the Chairman of the Memphis Committee of Ar
rngements and opened by prayer from Bishop Orgy.
The CHAIRMAN then stated that the Convention which
bad assembled at Baltimore adjourned meet at Mem
his on that day OF that Convention the Hon. Wa. c.
DAWSON Senator in Congress from the State of Georgia.
was elected President and served such According,
then to all usages, the Hon W. c. DAWSON is de facto'
the President of this Convention and call upon him
such to occupy this chair
Mr.. Dawson. The President of the late Baltimore
Convention claims no right, from having occupied that
position preside the deliberations of this
bly, Upon the adjournment of that body it was not in
tended that its officers should hold This is org
nal Convention, composed not Of those who met at Ba
more but of delegates appointed since its adjourn
ment; and must therefore decline acting under my
former appointment, and ask this Convention select
their own officers.
Gov FoorR, of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman rise for
the purpose of making motion, which will i think, be
cordially received by the members of this assembly
1t is that the Hon. VIM G. DAWSON be elected by acca
nation President of this Convention.
Great cheering followed this motion, which carried
unanimously and LEROY PoPE, Esq, BISHOP OTEY and
Hon JOHN BELL appointed to conduct the President
| to the stand
Mr.. DAWSON on taking the stand spoke in substance
as follows
GENTLEMEN OF THE SoUTH AND WEST feel highly
honored at this exhibition Of your kindness and can but
feel hacred at this marked attention which you have SO
Unexpectedly paid me-
As President of this Convention, will only say that
shall endeavor preside its deliberations fairly sin
cerely. to w
have assembled to accomplish; entering upon my duties
with dhdence in my capacity to perform them satisfac
toriy. As President of the late Convention which
sembled at Baltimore, it may be proper for to say
few words in regard to the purposes and objects which
then assembled us and which have likewise brought
together to-day And in doing this beg that it be
derstood that here honest representative of
those feelings which believe have prompted all ofyouto
attend. am here not sectional man, for | not
a sectional man. No! But am Southern and West
in relation TO those constitutional rights which
belong to the States represent As one of the ndi
vduas who participated in the Convention at Baltimore
it may be proper to say that were prompted by
feelings of hostility any section of the Union But
had for years that the land of birth, that the
people of the South suffering for the want of proper
developments of her natural and hence
active and earnest in my advocacy of immediate action
say that the wants of the Southwest commercially
have long been the subject of conversation and in
Of the States discussion hence the call of the Convention
held in Baltimore in December last and long may the
Chamber of Commerce of that Monumental City be re-
claimed for the West and the South their just equal and
natural distribution of the exports andmpors great
and glorious country Felow-citizens stand to-day
the banks of the great Father of Waterperhaps
the spot which may become Of the great crossing
points of this magnificent river for that magnificent rail-
road which shall unite the of the Pacific and the
Atlantic and which will harmonic and fraternize the
people of this mighty Conederacy by bars from ocean
TO ocean On that spot We to hold council
to investigate and discuss the important interests of
agriculture, commerce, and manufactures much which
has been presented 70 the world by the Baltimore Con-
venton in that admirable paper submitted by the Cham
Der Of Commerce Of that city, and the published proceed
ings of that Convention
This Convention is for unjust unfair sectional or
unconstitutional purpose. 1t is in opposition geo
graphical interests but examine into plain and admit
ted rights any seeming sectional antagonsm appear
the reply Is, we are members Of one family children of
the same mother only younger than elders; and by
statute of distributions the Constitution Of the United
States, entitled TO the rights to equal share of
the same heritage that claim nothing more scarcely
that We ask nothing more and would not if we could
take any thing We know blessings as family
have been abundant and that have lived plenty and
prosperity upon what we have received But
growing up wants have increased and posterty has
claims we should regard. In other words desire to
improve domain to improve ways, regulate
family intercourse to transact business and
10 trouble our sisters in managing affairs with
another strangers. We here to ascertain how
best manage heritage, and TO deveope its
sources and fulfil the duties incumbent
Our agriculture first demands most serious atten-
uOn How snail we pest ueveope It's resources Look
at the great westthe valley of the Mississippi draining
least 250 900 square miles and then the South the base
of the Vest and pressed by her the Atlantic and the
Gulf Examine the present productions of both, and
what their capabilities when fully developed? The
contemplation is wonderful What surplus of produc-
tons presented Where shall they be consumed? What
facilities have transport that surplus These
questions before hence it is duty examine
into our national highway-ther capacity, their improve
men and their extent then TO investigate what artificial
improvements the necessities Of agriculture and
demand to ascertain the cheapest and expeditions
means OF carrying surplus products to their con-
sumers, and the points on our coasts to which they
should be directed
The question then occurs would il not encourage our
agriculture the planter should be the exporter Of his
productions, his surplus? And whether il would be
70 has SIC 20 prefer ports? Could he not
thereby avoid E of the intermediate agency which SO
heavily taxes his productions and Of co.. dminishes
bis receipts or whether the present commercial Of
intermediate agencies cannot be berazed so as to save
to the producer frer proportion Of the profits Of his
products But, gentlemen, many Of you are planters
and understand your interest and will doubt pursue IT,
Our commercial interest next to agricultural will
be the subject Of our actions.
The policy OF direct trade consider properly before
and the main object of the Baltimore Convention
Would il not be wise encourage commercial men to
export productions and import foreign supplies
directly from and TO ports! think and sure |
am il will be done, for II TO the laws Of trade
will regulate it, 50 shall improve our facili-
ties for transportation to ports and those
ports and their harbors be improved and for this pur
pose attention should be directed the propriety Of
Claiming Of the General Government such appropriations
ms may be necessary all Instructions nj the
mout Of the Mississippi the straight outlet Of the West
and southwes and in the other ports the Atlantic aud
the Gulf
To encourage commerce mail facilities ami emigration
lines Of steamers should be established between our CHIEF