Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-03-17

In the discussion on the Minnesota bl Messrs. Lecher
and Bayly participated with characteristic ability and with
effect which contributed much the defeat OF The moa
sure To-day publish tho bold and sashins spcech OF
MIR. Lecher; 80 will present the reader with the
able constitutional argument Of Judge Bayy.
-4es-
COMMERCIAL CONVENTION AT CHARLESTON.
The Commercial Convention TO be held the second
Monday in April next In the city Of Charleston Ia begin
ming great share OF the public attention 'hough
out the Sonlh The occasion is justly regarded as one OF
great interest aud Importance and every effort will be put
forth render the Convention successful In the attainment
of the ends for which i, convened These ends are OF
sufficient magnitude to give dignity The assemblage and
to enlist the cordial co operation of all who love the
South and Its institutions.
Nor Ia It alone n the South that this movement atraca
notice. The leading journals OF the North deem u Oh sum
importance engage their eorts They do not admit
that any practical benefit the South. injury 10 the
North will be the result of this meeting Such an admis
sion would be emphatic and tend produce the very re-
suits that they anxious 10 defeat Hence they infect TO
proposed meeting Of Southern merchants as an
Idle and silly display that will terminate 10 gasconadinP
speeches and resome resolutions They pretend to dspise
these manifestations part Of Southern Of de-
termination TO assert and maintain commercial lndepend
ence.
1t cannot be denied that the history Of all similar Con-
which have heretofore been held 10 the South,
pear 10 justify the of the Northern press II has
been much the case that people have been content
meet. speak, dinners, drink champagne, pass high
oundng resolutions and then return TO their homes with
ol ,cdng their resolutions In their every day lie. ou'
even these meetings have wholly failed Of their purpose
They have not accomplished all desired, go
much might been reasonably anticipated yet they
have paved the end They have not acheVed Inc
independence of the South but they have re-
moved many of the obstacles which formerly existed Ono
fact will show this the satisfaction OF oil men, When the
question of direct communication between The ports of the
South and foreign ports and the direct Importation Of all
foreign goods into the Southern MARKET was first mooed
bero as scarcely an importer IN all the cities upon
Southern Atlantic sea. board Our merchants almost win
ou, exception obtained their supplies Of foreign commod'
ties through the Intervention of factors located 10 the grea
cities OF the North whom OF course they PAID prom
upon the cost of Importation This state OF facts hao con
tnued for many years that was graVey atmeo oS
Southern merchants that they could get British gooos
lower rates. 10 buy them Of Importers In New YORK. ean
.hoy could by buying and shipping direct from bsn por
and when dealer in Of Virginia ces tried Inc eA'
pertinent by importing stock OF irish lnens hs ofo'et
gravey shook their heads and predicted his
speedy downfall. This erroneous idea, that para'ysed
Southern enterprise has dspeed by experiment and
nov all our large dealers whether wholesale or RETAIL I'm
port their foreign articles. This Charleston Convention
then will under circumstances highly favorable
and one of duties should be foster and encourage
the direct Importation Of all commodities manufactured
else where than In the United Stales which ordinarily
found in the sorehouses Of Southern merchants This We
hold TO be pre-. .emineny important.
Commercial independence is impossibity, while oul
Southern merchants rely Northern importers Tor the
supplies of foreign goods TO this fact alone we may at
tribute the wonderful changes which have been wrough
the prospects of the cities in this country Once the cur
rent Of commerce strongly toward the South, but
want OF Enterprise and energy lost 10 her the treasures
he Continent Norheuers began TO carry our commerce
and almost before became conscious Of danger transfer
red 10 their own cities the balance of trade and bound u
to their Interests. And have remained 10 this day
filling their purses by contributions and receiving In
return curses and blows. Aud 1t will ever be- until ou
people can procure the commodities they need without going
10 the North obtain them Until this Ia possible the ca
,s of the South will be taken year by year, to the cities
Of the South, TO be employed in mixing stronger the
shackles which cramp and parayse Southern enterprise
The encouragement especially needed this .me by our
is the immediate establishment of lines of COM
munca oR between the Of The South and the wa
ers of foreign countries Those of our merchants VINO
have entered upon this branch OF trade are suoectea
considerable annoyance and extra expense by oeng co
peed to ship in Northern bottoms, 10 Northern pors ano
than having to e.shp their mporalons TO the ports OF the
South Others who would follow tho example put before
thsm are deferred by these difficulties. 10 relieve inc
one class and enlie. the Others we want Southern
Ines TO ply between the ports OF the Old World and
the ports of the South The necessity Is urgent and does
not admit of delay Opportunities do not lingcr upon the
ardy steps Of men, be caught as they y and i'm
proved at the moment.
There Is no doubt that these considerations will be
prominen In the minds of members of the Commercial
Convention They are we spprehend the Leading oolecs
eht to be promoted by the assembly, and our design In
calling them has not been TO DISCUSS 'het met-
mere the most indifferent 10 the mpor.
ance of the event that hand The cities o
Virginia have deep interest in all that concerns Southern
and we would them uumintfu OF thel
dnv to themselves and the South less socltous for the
of the Convention than Charleston New Orleans
e.I,,more and other Southern cities. The good people Of
cbaaa,on are getting ready welcome warmly and to en-
tertan Hospitality all those who may ss Inc ey aS oei'
oates and from evory quarter we hear the notes OF PePa
; q, v,oioia mot fall TO meet her sisters OF the South
at the council fires.
We hope for great results from 'he ac"ou u W,
ch,res,on Convention The are all propit'ous and
Tho sonhen States will unite all their influence they may
res, from the North the commerce of the world IL on'y
REQUIRES unity of purpose, unity OF counsel ana uh'
,on These we trust will prevail The elements OF sro
and division which lowered over our Southen cle' "n.
tho onyention met In Nashville have disappeared before
the dawnIng Of brighter day tor the SCUM ano
Ioa,u,ons We trust no cloud will now arise ana 'na'
sloh will not lose the advantages OF tne occasson'
TIE CLERGY AND THE NEBRASKA BILL.
The editor of the Wa,chman and Observer has drawn our
attention 10 the fact that of the 36 Presbyterian Ministers
and 10 Licenates of It's ls Presby.ery of Now YORK. od
hoo, and of Tho ~ Mniss,s s2s Lcentiaee OF the 70