The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-07
MEMPHIS CONVENTION.

| tant huhlr hunOuS inc curTehb uO'N
the time Europe is probably about to b
embroiled in general war; Asia is wakln
up under the impulse of modern influences
from the slumber of centuries that bafiie 10
computations of chronology Mexico is IN
crisis which will soon determine its dest
ny; and that home policy which has almo'
doubled our territory and threatened the peac
of the Union twice within the last ten years
is preparing for another stride, with its lnciden
popular commissions but all these things pu
together, and all they are capable OF, are no
likely to produce permanent effects upon on
welfare at all equal to the prospective actor
of the enterprises indicated and materlail
promoted by this Southern and South Wester'
Convention. II was composed of men VIII
may be fairly regarded as the representative
of thirteen of the Southern and Western State
of the Union, and exactly those of them which
we would select for the theatre of revolution
in foreign and domestic policy; and the mea
sures therein inaugurated are, of all Others
Just such as are required to bring the people
to whom they are commended into the light
and 10 put them under the influences OF th'
benefcent system which their present position
impedes and disturbs.
The delegates were from Maryland, Ken
lucky, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri
Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama
Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. There
were present also two delegates from the free
states of Illinois and Indiana. From the lis
we miss none but North Carolina and little
Delaware whose presence was of any impor
lance to the entirety of the assemblage Tn,
number of members appointed was full on,
thousand; the actual attendance was abou
four hundred and eighty
The resolutions were adopted with singular
unanimity-the most important of them, in
deed, without any dissent. The principles
affirmed and measures approved and deter
mined upon, which we regard SO hopefully, ar,
to be found in the following extracts from thu
proceedings:
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Resolved, That railroad from the Missis
sippi valley to the Pacific ocean is demanded
not only by commercial and individual inter
ests, but by our national necessities.
Resolved, That as soon as the surveys re
Gently ordered by Congress are completed, til,
General Government should adopt such step
as will insure the completion of the main trunk
of said road at the earliest possible period
Resolved, That as the General Government
could be expected to construct only one mair
trunk, it should be located on that route which
scientific explorations shall show combines in
the greatest degree the advantages of genia
and temperate climate, fertility of soil, cheap
ness of construction, and accessibility at al
seasons from all portions of the Union -
Resolved, That in the opinion of the con
vention, it is right, expedient, and proper tina
the General Government should make large
donations of public lands to the different
States bordering on either side of the Missis.
sippi, t9 enable all sections of the Union, how
ever rem0te;> to connect themselves with the
main trunk.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Whereas the investigator of the laws which
regulate the rises and falls OF the Mississippi
river and its tributaries, and the adoption OF
some system by which the great valley OF the
Mississippi may be protected from inuhdation,
and the navigation Of the Western waters be
best perfected and secured, are subjects Of the
deepest interest and Importance to the whole
Western and Southern country: therefore
Resolved, That this convention respectfully
recommends to Congress that among the mea.
sures calculated to advance the above objects
and facilitate the schemes already undertaken,
it deems it highly important that the General
Government should appoint a special corps of
scientific engineers to investigate the laws which
govern the Mississippi river and its tributaries,
to devise the best system of improving the nav-
CATION of these rivers, and protecting their lands
from overflow; if necessary to send abroad
similar corps of scientific engineers to exam.
Inc the systems of improvements adopted in
other countries, and to report upon all matters
connected with these subjects.
RESOLVED, That, in futherance of the objects
sought, we deem it highly important that
system OF hydrometric gauges should be estab-
lished by the General Government at several
points along the Mississippi and its tributaries
at the principal towns and cities by which the
actual stages of their waters may be accurate
ly ascertained from day to day, the depths of
their channels regularly sounded, and the
changes going on upon their banks be marked
and recorded, ali which shall be reported to
the proper department Of the General Govern
ment from time to time
RAW COTTON.
Whereas the Southern States of this Union
now have, and for long period must have,
virtual monopoly in che production Of raw cot
lon for commerce; and whereas it is Of vast
Importance to these States that their great
staple should be sent abroad in its most valu-
able form; and phereas ii is believed that this
staple can be drought up NTH extraordinary
cksdpness on and near the fields Of ats g1oioth. :
therefore
Be ii resolved, That the president of this
appoint a committee of five men,
bers, who shall be requested to prepare for
publication and distribution, particularly in
the manufacturing districts Of Europe, a full
report of the peculiar facilities offered By the
Southern and Western States for the manufacture
Of cotton, and that this report be published as a
part Of the proceedings Of this convention.
EDUCATION
Resolved, That this convention earnestly re-
cOmmends to the citizens Of the States here
represented the education of their youths at
home, as far as practicable; the employment
Of native teachers in their schools and colleges
the encouragement of home press the pub
LEGATION Of books adapted to the educational
wants and the social condition Of these States !;
and the encouragement and support of inven-
tions and discoveries in the arts and sciences
by their own citizens.
STEAM NAVIGATION.
Resolved, That this convention regards the
~ r l.
steam between our Southern ports and Europe,
and the encouragement and protection Of this
system by the National Government connecting
Herewith ample mail facilities, as a necessary
feature in the commercial Independence Of the
South and West.
There are, besides resolution preferring
the Tehuantepec route and calling for negoti-
atoms by the Government to secure the right Of
way by this track for the Pacific railroad; an
Will