Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-12-20
Southern Commercial Convention,

up ny l'tSu'ip j9IlIUtO. MI. ntaXtON, or
Petersburg, Va, was appointed temporary
secretary A committee of one from each
State was appointed to report officers and
rules for the permanent organization Of the
convention. a recess was then taken till 6
P. NJ. About 900 delegates are present,
representing ten Southern States-Arkan-
sas, Mississippi, Missouri and Delaware not
represented.
On re-assembling, James Lyons, Esq, of
Richmond, Va, was appointed permanent
President. The usual number Of Vice Pres
idents and Secretaries were also appointed,
and the rules the House of Representatives.
were adopted--eaeh State voting according
to the vote Of its Electoral College. Mr..
Lyons, on taking the Chair, made a long
speech, asserting thatit is the wish of the
South to maintain the Constitution and the
Union, but expressing the determination to
be prepared for all future contingencies.
4 committee was appointed to prepare
business A Dudley Mann ESQ, was ad-
mitted as delegate, and added to the com
mittee on business. The Convention then
adjourned till Tomorrow.
SECOND DAY
The President announced the names of
members of the business committee. Vari-
Gus resolutions were offered, and mostly re-
ferred, including some by Dir. Swami, Of
Tennessee, that all the bonds and notes is
sued by the Southern States, cities or coun-
ties, be made payable III said States Mr.
Peoples, of Georgia, moved that each mem
Der subscribe one hundred dollars towards
the establishment Of direct line of steam
ers TO Europe The motion was adopted
but was afterwards reconsidered and refer
red. Mr.. Bethune, of Georgia, made long
speech in favor of abolishing the tariff and
raising funds for the support of government
by direct taxation.
Mr. kean, OF Va, offered resolutions de-
precating the education Of Southern youth
at the North, and advocating the encourage
ment of Southern books, newspapers and
manufactures. Mr. Gauding, of Georgia,
offered resolutions instruotng Southern Com
grossmen to use their efforts to repeal the
tariff, to repeal the law interdicting the slave
trade, and TO procure a treaty for the rem
dition of slaves from Canada. The resolu-
tons were laid on the table by nearly a u
unanimous vote. Judge Moore, Of Alabama,
offered resolution in favor Of q railroad to
the Pacific along the sd parallel The
convention then adjourned.
THIRD DAY.
The convention re-assembled at 10 4. NJ.
Mr.. Jones, Of Georgia, moved to take
from the table Mr.. Gaulding's resolution
relative to the re opening of the slave trade.
Mr. Spratt. editor of the Charleston Stan
dard, hoped the motion would prevail he
thought the question Of slavery most appro-
pirate 10 oecupy the attention of the con-
yention. Ho advocated renewal Of the
slave trade. lie desired to hear the objee-
tion stated by those who resisted a consile-
ration OF the subject. The convention should
not recognize tie right of Congress to ia
pose restrictions upon the slave trade. aud
should meet the Question at once.
Mr.. Hunter. Of Va, thought tie eoaven-
ton was not competent to consider the sub-
lect. 1t was great moral question. and
the South shonld ponder long before defy
ing the opinion OF tie whole Christian
world. The recent message OF the Cover
Dor OF South Carolina had aStonished the
whole South, and, for one. he was not pre-
pared TO endorse his views. The subject
was one involving tremendous consequent
ces, and time fer reflection was necessary.
Mr. Richardson, Of Nd, said he was not
prepared to advocate commerce in slaves,
aud he hoped the arebrand would not be
considered.
MIR Gholson, Of Va, was opposed to taxi
ing the subject up, unless We new discuss,
with the world, the morality of the question.
Ii the South preferred revival Of the slave
trade, we would drive away many who we're
now With rs, and he regarded it as direct
attack upon the Union.
MIR. oaulding, OF Ga, made a fiery
speech defending Il revival OF the slave
trade. lie believed the institution OF slave
r. to be from God, and he was ready to de-
tehu It in all Its bearings. 1t conferred e.
quail blessings ON both races. 1t was no
greater CRIME 70 tear husband from his
wtie IN virginia, TO work IN the cotton
beds OF the South, than to purchase negro
Ia Africa to chfstianize and ciyilize him.
soW Was inc time 20 deelde the question and
assetl onr rights before the whole world.
Ma9srs' trooper and Green, Of Va, en-
doT I, Mr. traaibass views. Mir. Mcleod
oil le1a9' pledged his State to the extrem-
est views urged to-day. Mexico was falling
10 '-.a ?