Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-01-29

ed to vote were M-ssrs. Bingham Bishop, (iiddugs
Granger, Kelsey, Petit, Simmons, Stnnton, Todd
ana " "atson. Most Of these gentlemen remained III
their seats while the vote OH the resolution was bcn
taken.
Now, we leave it to the National In,egenccr 10 an.
swer whether, with this fact before its eyes, believes
that MIR. Smith could have been elected, and whether
these republicans would ever have allowed him To lis
sumo the Speaker chair, when we have thus proved
that they had the power in their OWN hands to defeat
his election! So falls this exhibition of candor
and fair dealing on the part of Tint paper.
-.s.----
THE COMMERCIAL CONVENTION.
We would respectfully suggest a few subjects for
the consideration of this Convention We pleased
To sec such movements the part Of the South
No country i'll the world possesses such abundant elc
ments Of national independence as the South and yc
none, so advanced in civilization ever relied Sc
much on foreign skill and foreign production, for the
ordinary necessaries and comforts of life. Agricul.
ture is the worst paid, in the general, of all human
pursuits and yet has been almost the exclusive pur
suit of the South. Hitherto this exclusive pursuit OF
agriculture has been wise policy with the South as
il has enabled her to spread her institutions nj
immense new territory, and thereby increased the
strength and stability Of those institutions, and tt
acquire vast prospective wealth. for III the long run
Bile than houses and lots in Northern cities. The d
fusion of the population, and her energies has render
ed the progress of the South less apparent hu: more
permanent and real than the concentration nf p"pu
lation capital and industry, pracsed at the North
But the time has arrived when should people
aud improve what We have wisely and pru!cny No.
ouired. To do so, we must diversity industrial pllI
Suits We should not cease to he al agricultural
people for our soil, climate, and the character o nu
labor point to that principal employment. W.
should not seek to become extensively commercial
people because the over pursuit OF trade always in
,roduces wealth with the few, pauperism with ih,
many luxury and eflemnacy with the rich, and spir
illess dependence among the poor. Such is the pre-
sent condition Of English society, induced by t"t
much trnde.
Besides all commercial nations are feeble III war
dependent upon mercenary troops, and become shor
lived. The exclusive pursuit of trade is more I" b'
avoided than the exclusive pursuit OF agriculture
| the former demoralizes and cnfeebes nation, ;h'
latter renders ignorant, but strong, healthy and pa
| ,rlotjc In one sense, we have, now, too much com
merce- for We are supplied hy it. from abroad Will
| what we should produce at home. The diminishing
|
chanic and manufacturing interests, and bcgc large
| internal home trade, and larger h"n" consumption
of agricultural products. If manufactured TIN
raw materials produced by agriculture, at home VT
should beget great increase of profits "t capital
population, of internal trade and internal consump
tion. We presume the Convention will cUncur vii!
u.s. that it lis desirable 10 carry own f"rcg IN r"
merce in our own ships, but not to increase our Dc
| pendence by increasing supplies from abroad
| Again, trade between Northern and Southern people
| always enures 10 the advantage OF the North. lE'
North is keencr at bargain, and produces IIitl'
| which the South cannot produce better and cheape
at home. The slave countries of the world are now
feeding the half starved free countries aud feeding
them for half price, for labor employed in mechanic
arts and man ufactures il twice well paid IN hSr'
cpltural labor England and the North make large
nr,Gts from slave labor than the slave owners, through
the instrumeu,alty of trade and manufactures. W.
are not so well situated tor European commerce. bu
occupy II commanding position for. Southern C"''
fornia, African and Asiatic trade. Should we NO
studousy cndeavor To take advantage OF ms posi-
tion and increase our Southern trade' Should w
not vigorously and at any cost, form rail road con
nectiuns with the Northwest, so as 10 conduct her f"
reign trade and beget identity Of 'nterss;s and kn'
and friendly feelings between u.s.
The growing disposition to educate our children II
home, is rapidly improving our schools ana c"il"ee
and besetting respect aud confidence III our lhs'''"
tiops In fine, it seems to us the Convention shoult
advise such measures as will render the South more
independent-such measures as will enable her 10
produce most within herself and foster education
energy, skill and industry, by varying and multiply
ing our industrial, professional, mechanical, CONNER
cnl and literary pursuits.
We do not propose such Utopian schemes ms cut
ting Off all trade with Europe and the North, but, by
increasing our trade with the Northwest and th'
South aud varying our pursuits, we would rcnde
ourselves, in cnse of necessity wholly independent "
New England. When they see and feel that we ar,
about to establish such Independence they will ccast
to insult and injure Then trade with them vii
be agreeable, because it will be carried on betweel
equals.