Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-22
From the Richmond (virginia) Enquirer.
THE COMMERCIAL CONVENTION.

| From the Richmond (Virginia) Enquirer.
| THE COMMERCIAL CONVENTION.
We apprehend the most jealous champion
of Southern interests will be constrained to
acknowledge that the Charleston Convention
was an abortion, if not something worse
For ourselves, we have no great confidence
in the efficacy Of Conventions, as an instrument
for stimulating and directing public sentiment
| Experience justifes our dstrust In the South
We have had scores of Conventions, contem.
plating as many different objects and in no
single instance has any practical result been
achieved. They are admirable inventions for
exhnming defnnct politicians; and they afford
a convenient theatre for the display Of an clo-
qucnce for which ambitious young gentlemen
find no uttcrance in the halls Of legislation or
the courts of Justice. But they are not much
irequented by men who have other employ
ment, nor do they commonly contribute any
thing to the stock Of human wisdom. At best,
they bring forth only preambles and platforms,
and it il yet to be demonstrated that there ia
| any virtue in a whereas or II resolve
The Charleston Convention furnishes no excep-
ton to the uniform testimony of experience,
that the most profuse expenditure Of words
and of wine, the most eloquent utterance OF
patriotic sentiment and desperate design, 60
but little way towards concentrating any
scheme of political or commercial improvement
We do not appreciate the necessity of these
| Southern Conventions We do not admit that
the South is in such deplorable plight that
periodic consultation must be held over it's
PROSTATE body, with view to determine the
best means for reviving its sinking fortunes
On the contrary it seems to ns that the South
is in an eminently happy and prosperous con-
dtion. But, if this were not SO, the proftless
defamation of a Convention would hardly
remedy the matter. The relations and CON
ditions Of commerce are governed by the laws
of trade, and it is impossible to Illustrate their
operation by any artificial contrivancc 1t
would not be less irrational for the North to
complain that she docs not produce as much
cotton as the South than it is for the South to
complain that the North has the advantage in
| the facilities of commerce. liz it be cheapest
and best that the South should transact it's
| own exchanges, no Convention will DO nccos-
sary to ascertain the fact. Private interest,
with unerring instinct, will soon enough dis
| cover the advantage, and turn it to account
IL may be said that these Conventions are
necessary to ascertain and embody public sem
timent. What then, is the function Of the
| Press? And can we suppose that the State
Legislatures are go delinquent that Conven-
ticn of volunteer statesmen must look after the
public interests? The Charleston Convention
suggested the expediency of a direct trade be-
tween the ports of the South and the foreign
market but this was long since determined
by the Legislature Of Virginia and we doubt if
the movement will be at all accelerated by the
most swelling resolution Of body of enthusi-
astic but irresponsible gentlemen.
Special and peculiar causes made the Con-
vention at Charleston a ridiculous blnnder.,
From beginning to end the thing was managed
and controlled by politicians
In contemplating the action Of the Charles
ton Convention, but one thing strikes us ms de-
serving COMMUNICATION. The conduct Of the
Virginia delegation was worthy OF the State.
The princcly hospitality of the people Of
Charleston reflects infinite credit on their taste
and their lberality, and stands in advanta-
geous contrast to the barren results and prosy
defamation Of tho Convention. Oar only APP
prehension is, that such delicate attention and
such richly-ladcn tables may perpetnaie tho
nuisance Of Southern Commercial Convcn-
tionsn
"CAPTUREo OF RUSSIAN VEssEL-A let
tor from Waterford, published in the 1ippc-
rary Free Press, gives the following version Of
tho seizure Of the Russian ship Nordcp:
ave have had an affair here which might
we'll be called 'serio-oomic,' partaking, in some
degree, Of the warlike and the ridiculous II
appears that report OF n Russian merchant
vessel being seen off the coast caused our rev
cnue cutter, well manned and armed, to pro-
ceed Immediately out 10 give good account Of
her. High expectations OF a rich prize cheer
ed the hearts Of our jolly and gallant tara
who, the moment they hove in sight gave her
a shot in the locker, soon after boarded her.
and hauled down Mt once the Russian flag
giving three cheers for tho Queen and stave
Of 'Rulc Britannia in prime style. The cap
tain Of the brig quietly submitted to his con-
querors, and INCREASINGLY suffered his dc, med
ship to be steered into port What singular
circumstance, that the fret bloodless victory
over the Antocrat OF all tho Russias should be
thus achieved within the view OF the old mbs
infactai No wonder that feelings OF pride
and exultation should predominant, hut, alas , I
they were only OF short duration: for when
the Russian captain found it convenient to
make himself ineligible to bis captors, they
discovered, to their great dismsy and disap-
pointmenf, that they had only caught q tar
tar who had cnnningly, the night before,
struck q bargain for both ship and cargo, with
q Waterford merchant, for q sum said to be
under f3,0 .D-Loudoa Times, Aprii 4.
GRAIN FLEET--Tho Chicago Journal Of
Wednesday last records tho departure Of quite
feet of vessels from that port Gil loaded
with grain, Cor Buffalo and Oswego. The fleet
numbered nineteen vessels three barques six
briggs, and ten schooners) having on board
26O 100 hushels--of which 20S,3 32 bushels
were Of corn, 81, 9s9 bushels Of wheat, and the
balance barley and oats OF the whole guam
,ity, over $4,000 bushels went to Buffalo
---
Franklin Pierce still continues 10 forward
his aafectionate regards to the Free Soil
members Of our Legislature. One Of these doc
uments was shown us on Monday by NOM
her from this county.
Manchester (N ny Democrat
The more any nation tralics upon free and /
honest principles, the lessit will DO in danger