Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-11-20
RICH MONDYW ZIG.


We published few days ago q long letter iron
Hon A. Dudley Mann. late Assistant Secretary O
State, advocating the establishment OF weekly lin
OF steamships between point Chesapeake
Bay, and the Harbor Of Milford Haven ON the West
crn coast Of England.
We are glad to see that the press OF the South
generally, have taken the matter into serious consi
Iteration, and approve oft with entire unanmity.-
But we cannot the wisdom, at this hme-befor,
the first step is taken towards the accomplish
ment Of this magnificent enterprise-of discussing
the advantages and claims Of rival points the Bay
the American terminus Of the line
In a sectional point Of view, II makes, in fact lit
tie difference to the terminus. The people of the
South, il they conclude to carry out this scheme
must enter upon il as q great measure Of Southern
Independence. They must look upon it an inr-
portant, and indeed essential auxiliary of the in
strumcnus We already have for making the South
commercially independent of the North Taking
this comprehensive view Of it, petty jeslousies and
rivalries rs 20 the American terminus should impair
energy, destroy the efficiency with which the
enterprise should be prosecuted. Mr.. Mann has al
ready proposed that some point ON the Chesapeake
Bay should be selected Not more than three com
petitors can be considered-a1d it will be time
enough TO determine upon this-which is really of
inferior importance to the consummstion Of the
schelne-wben it shall be no longer an experiment
but uh tin dcoomph
The South has equal claims upon the Federal Co
vernment for protection in this enterprise with the
Collins line Of steamships from New York-but not
withdrawing that, glad to that Mr.. Mann
does not propose TO invoke its assistance. Private
enterprise and liberality should unite TO carry
the design, totally irrespective of eKtraneous aid
As OF the means by which the South should at
tain commercial independence it is peculiarly fit that
she should accomplish it by her own resources.
The aalf million dollars which the General Go
vernment annually approprates to the Collins
ers is bonus to the North at the expense of the
South. 1t enables the Northsfo send across the
Ocean those floating palaces which ply between New
York aud Liverpool. principally for the purpose of
carrying passengers, specie, and small packages OF
merchandise. We want, in the South, line of a
somewhat different character-one more adapted to
the transportation OF heavy tonnage. The Federal
Government would, doubtless, despatch the mails
by such line-and to that extent, and that only
should we calculate upon its aid.
As a necessary result from the policy of the &C.
neral Government aud our own indifference To our
material interests the bulk of the import and export
business Of the nation is done by the Northern cities
The South, that every Atlantic State has rail.
roads aud canals penetrating the Interior has an OPP
portunty OF recovering this trade from those who
have used II tn gain wealth and political influence at
our-expense. Without celebrating this idea il must
oe eVrncTr uv'."y -. sSa' Ia this way only can w .
impress the North with a true idea of our imuor-
lance aud our natural advantages as a nece>-
sary consequence reduce it to feeling of proper re-
spect for our institutions and our constitutional
rights. B.. Au ga
We nave, it is true, very decided opinion as to
the proper terminus Of such line of packets as Mr.
Mann proposes to establish and at the proper tim.
will enter the lists As warmly any one in behalf
o our choice But repeat that the South should
first bend its whole energies to the accomplishment
of the undertaking, independent of any consd.rn-
tons Of the sort II it should lead to the grand OH
ject contemplated Inauguration of ne " South
ern policy by which we may give commercial in
diyiduaIity to section of the Republic-it will
be an event Of such overshadowng Importance as t.
render the locality of the American terminus a mat
ter of comparatively trivial import