The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-17


ready as they fancy 10 hand over New York 10
the tender mercies of the Western ex-whigs.
The Late Southern Commercial COay entl0n-
Nnnifcation--Nr. Toombs Proposes State
Tariff
We publish TO day pretty full report OF the
cream Of the proceedings Of the tate Southern
Commercial Convention held in the city Of Sa-
yannah Georgia These proceedings, it will be
seen. embrace variety of extraordinary propo-
stions Tor making the South independent Of the
North, preparatory 10 dissolution OF the Union.
Among these propositions of Southern reform
end amelioration, the subjects of free trade, d.
rect taxation, a line of monster Southern steam
ers direct 10 Europe Southern Pacific Railroad,
the African slave trade, a new Southern Terrific
rial policy, Southern colleges and schools, South
ern literature and the Tehuantepec route, stand
very conspicuous. In our estimation, however,
they are all thrown into the shade by the letter
from Senator Toombs to the Convention, defining
his plan for the establishment of direct trade be-
tween the ports of Georgia and other Southern
States, and the ports of England and France.
The general idea among these Southern COM
mercial philosophers for the establishment of this
transatlantic direct trade, is a line of monster
steamships, plying directly between some South
ern port and some port in England, with the raw
cotton from the one side and the manufactured
goods from the other. But this scheme necessari-
ly involves large expenditure of money to get
it into operation and then it may possibly fail to
pay. The consequence is, that our South
erp Missionaries have sense enough to hesitate
to fork over for the monster steamers, and
are content for the present, with empty speeches,
theories and resolutions. In word, they still
resolve in favor Of their monster steam line,
though they prudently back out when called
upon 10 subscribe. At this juncture, in comes
Mr.. Senator Toombs with his plan, which solves
the whole difficulty, without either the expense,
trouble or delay Of building Southern monster
steamers. 1t avoids even the Inconvenience Of
Southern cash contributions for any vessels
whatever; Tor it is plan which proposes to
bring about Southern direct trade with Europe
State revenue through a State tariff upon all
goods arriving in Georgia, other than those
which shall be imported directly from foreign
countries.
such is the notable plan Of Mr.. Senator Toombs
for bringing about the great desideratum of
direct trade between the South and Europe. It
is the simple process, for example, Of Georgia
Stale tariff, discriminating against the goods
domestic or imported-arriving from any other
state Of the Union, and in favor of the goods
from Liverpool or Havre. Aud Mr.. Toombs
says this tax +" should be high enough to prevent
all indirect importations Of foreign merchandise"
and high enough to raise sufficient revenue for
all the wants Of the State, without imposing upon
the people any capitation or other direct tax
whatever Now, this may seem rather hard
among neighbors Of the same family: but Nc.
Toombs assures ne that this inland State tariff is
perfectly constitutional, quite a common thing in
practice; and, could we take him at hs word. We
mightas well prepare at once to bowin obedenceto
ONE inland tariff act Of the Georgia Legislature.
and then to similar acts from other Southern Le-
gislatures. until even Paris 1Ady made clothes
direct shall eel in our Southern ports a. cheap
er rates than the wholesale clothing of New
York.
This is a cruel proposition from Mr.. Toonhs;
but in one great essential it IL better. in being
more magnanmous, than the taxation policy ..
the State Of New Jersey. Sue levies tax upon
every individual who pays for a through ticket
between New York and Philadelphia. aad the
revenues thus extorted from strangers relieve the
good people Of jersey OF a load Of TAXATION, aud
20, instead Of grumbing against the Camden aud
Amboy monopoly, they rather like II. On the
other band, though Mr.. Toombs proposes taxing
Northern goods, and foreign goods arriving
south by wy Of the North he knows very well
ibat this tax win come OUT Of the pockets or his
Georgia constituents or other Southern con-
syrners Bat let this policy Of invidious inland
State tariffs become adopted, aud there viii b.
no end to retaliatory acts Of legislation between
the North and the South, and between different
states Of the South against each other.
In a more serious view, We look upon this in
land State tariff project Of Mr. Toombs a. bung-
ling attempt at notification. In his day Mr..
Calhoun made Southern notification appear In
the strong light Of a primary Southern
right and duty and full Of Southern blessings He
proved it by The constitution, and hundreds Of
sensible men we're led astray by bis acute ba, de-
lusive expositions Of Southern rights upon tariffs
as well as niggers. In undertaking however. to
walk in the notification footprints OF Mr.. Cal
houn, all Of his disciples and follovers-Mr.
Toombs among the rest-make themselves per
iectly ridiculous. Mr.. Toombs says that "a State
cannot, under the FEDERAL constitution lay duties
upon imports; but she can tax all imported com
molites offered for sale within her limits" But
what says Tie constitution in addition to the
clause in the mind of Mr.. Toombs. IL declares
IN 50 many words, that mo preference shall be
given by any regulation Of commerce to the ports
Of one State over those Of another" Yet Mr..
Toombs proposes "a regulation Of commerce"
which ball give most decided preference to the
ports Of Georgia over the ports Of New York.