Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-07-29

there is TO community in the Union as unceas-
inplv vgilnnt Of everything calculated either to
re,erd or advance its material interests, as that
inhabting the goodly city of Monuments in our
neighboring State of Maryland.
From the first. Baltimore has looked With sus'
picon upon the movements made in the South
for the establishment of direct trade with Eu
rope True, she has sent delegates to our Com
mercal Conventions but it Is not ungenerous
to suppose that their object in going was to pro-
tect the interests of their city specially, in any
proposed diversion of the channels of commerce
|, cannot be denied that Baltimore regards with
distrust the efforts which have been made. and
are still making, to institute direct trade TO En-
rope from the ports of the Southern States.
Self protection, il is rue, is the first law Of
nature-nor can Baltimore. absiractly consider
ed be justly blamed for defending her own IN
terests, and providing for her own welfare. But
the question is whether Baltimore ought, proper
ly, to throw obstacles in the way of tho grand
object which the South seeks to attain, from
fear that thereby her own prosperity may be, in
some degree, injuriously affected.
Is il proper for example. that Baltimore speak-
ing through the recognised organ OF her CONNER
cal classes, the american, should hold such Ian
guage as the following in regard to the Conven-
ton at Old Point:
THg "OLD PoISr CONVENTION. The Convention
which is to meet at Old Point Comfort to consider
the proposed scheme of Mr.. Dudcy Mann for opening
steam communication with England, is appointed for
Wednesday OF the present week. What will be its
action do not pretend to anticipate, but spring
ing up as il does in comparatively imprompiu man-
ner and under the auspices Of gentlemen rusttean9,
not 10 say luxurating, in the "summer vacation
we very much fear it will be composed even moro of
the "stuf that dreams made Of than that OF the
more pretentious "Southern Commercial Conven-
tons has heretofore been, and is likely hereafter TO
be- We hope for the best however both from this
sudden eferyescence and the deliberate swell OF
Southern ardor to be manifested shortly IN Knox
Vile.
Now, it cannot be denied that under the mask
Of pretended interest in the deliberations of tho
Old Point Convention. displayed in the above
extract there Turks biting sarcasm. Assuming
to hope ''for the best" it is sufficiently evident
that the American anticipates. with i'll conceal
ed satisfaction, the failure of the Convention, and
the copying of the example of the more preten-
tious" Southern Commercial Conventions which
have rrecededit.
From this, and from other evidences of the
onmus of Baltimore, we think il is time that that
cite should be required to show lis hand, that we
may understand what the game is that she is
playing Is Baltimore with The South, or is she
against u! Does Baltimore propose, in good
faith and with honest intention, 10 unite with us
in our scheme of commercial redemption, or does
she design opposing herself TO the unanimous
a. a. y n l.
quasi concurrence in the plan Of release from
commercial vassnlage to the North, signify that
che means it only so far as she herself may be
benefited In short. does that city regard hen
own interests as OF primary and supreme impor-
tance,-and the interests of the South, az sec
ton, of insignificant account that they
may be postponed TO the interests of indvd
ual ethyl We think these things should be un
derstood before Baltimore is accepted ally
in the grandentorprise in which the South is en-
gagged.
We have always maintained. and think it sus
ceptible of easy proof, that the complete success
of our scheme would eventuate in the building ~
ofevery city on the Southern Atlantic seaboard
If Baltimore cannot be induced to unite her en-
ergies with our own in the prosecution of this en-
terprise. from considerations Of patriotism an,
sectional pride, may perhaps successful,
appeal to the less ennobling instinct OF interest
If we can prove TO Baltimore that her own pros
perity will be advanced even though that of 9th
err cities should be advanced pari passu with he
own. we shall not yet despair of her aid. And
as we have said before, We believe that the proc
of such proposition is easily procured, over
whelming and convincing
We regret to Baltimore, by ridicule an
taunt endeavoring to dispirt he bold and patri
an enterprise. We regret it, as well accoun
of the lack of upanimity among the people of tn
South which it betrays, as for the segregation o
an enterprising and populous city from her natu
raj and sectional allies. We cannot view. ex
cept with regret. the spectacle of Southern
city, isolated. in selfish retirement, from bot
North and South. and endeavoring to dash tn
the hopes of those who working. energe,i
cally. for the whole South without distinction q
locality. We yet hope to see Baltimore takn
the position which her location in Souther
State ought to determine at once. We make n
duplicating appeal to her-but would relnn
her that the South, in SO grave matter as this
will be compelled rgdy to enforce the rule tina
he that is not for US il against US.
Why cannot Lynehburg have public park