Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-07-15

Tse Knoxville Convention.

The city of Richmond and the county OF
Rockingham have appointed delegates to the
Southern Commercial Convention at Knoxville
on the 10th of August next--bu,, thus far, and
notwithstanding the repeated calls that have been
made through the city papers. Lynehborg has
made no move whatever towards having rep
resentation there.
Whyis ihsl Has Lynchburg no interest in
the es,abli shment aud sustenance of Southern
commerce9 1t would seem SO, from the apathy
that prevails here on the subject. And yet 1t
can be easily demonstrated that, with the excep
ton of Norfolk, no other town in the State has
ANYTHING like the interest ~ this matter that
Lynchburg has
1t is well known that Lynchburg has heavy
stake in the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad.-
Her citizens are largely taxed on account OF the
liberal and munificent subscription which she
made for the purpose of advancing that great
work II any direct return is to be made Tor the
outlay Of Lynchburg in this grand enterprise 1t
mnst result in great measure from the road be
ing an important link in the chain OF roads which
will convey to Norfolk the materials fer foreign
commerce 1t will be in the transportation of the
products of the inexhausiible valley Of tho West
TO the sea coast, aud the reverse transportation OF
articles offoreign growth aud production 10 the
interior, tha, the full benefits Of the Va. Tenn
r. r. viii be realised. In short, that road will
not have acc omplished its fsll and complete mis-
sion. until foreign commerce Is established from
Norfolk This ought to be known and apprecia-
ted by all. l. not this. Of itself sufficient to in
cite Us to activity in declaring the interest we
feel in the objects Of the Knoxville Conveniion'
In ike manner the James River and ksnawha
canal will. beyond all dispute, be immensely ben
est'ed BY regular niercommunicaiion between
the Mississippi Valley and the sea coast. Art
cies of heavy tonnage will be transported on the
canal, because gifts being done at less cost
This will involve break of bulk at Lynchburg.
and will give employment 10 army Of commits.
sion and forwarding merchants, and laborers Is
this noihng'
But il is MT from selfish and local considera-
tons that Lynchburg should feel interested in
the establishment of direct foreign trade. If no
such Influences existed, there would still rest up
on her the strongest obligation 10 extend her on
enlargement to so laudable enterprise. The
political and commercial Independence of the
South depends, in great measure, we honestly
believe. upon the contamination Of our hopes in
this respect. Under these circum, stances, no in
dividual-much less the community ofindvduals
composing a ci,y-is at liberty 10 remain an mao.
tive spectator OF the struggle. He is under an
obligation of the strongest nature to contribute
whatever he can of encouragement, sympathy,
or counsel, TO the common cause. Whoever
disregards this obligation cannot be held excusa-
bic.
1t is no answer to say TINT these Southern
Commercial Conventions heretofore haye been
failures. They were failures, to the extent that
they were failures at ALL by reason of being com
posed Of the wrong sort of men. Broken down
politicians. and men seeking to gain some per-
sonal advantage by superservicoebe zeal in emp
ty defamation. are not the men to attend South
ern Conventions any longer, and will not be sent.
Ihei, day is over, and the day of practical men
has arrived.
Besides. system Of railroad communica-
ton had not been completed when these South
ern Conventions were first started--and their
recommendations were, for this reason, some.
what premature. Nor, we are "out of the
woods'-or. at least. the prospect is so bright
that no further excuse of delay is admissible
We look for, and we will have. practical and sem
sible action from the Knoxville Convention. =
Shall the reproach any longer rest upon Lynch
burg of being Indifferent in such cause, while
other cities, with comparatively no interest
are so active and energetic We shall