The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-08-25
SOUTHERN COMMERCIAL COM
VENTION.

It appears that there we're but two dele
gates in the Southern Commercial Conven-
ton from North Carolina. judging from the
fact that the two gentlemen appointed on
the committee of organization were consti-
tuted officers of the Convention. which we
suppose would not have been the case il
there had been any others present from the
same State
Virginia had I24 delegates in attendance.
So far as we can gather from the proceed
ings of this body there has heen really
nothing done to advance the commercial in
terests of the South. This Convention has
been if possible greater humbug than
either of its predecessors.
Mr. Bryan's resolution on the abrogation
of the 9Th article of the Treaty of Wash
ington. and the withdrawal of the u. s..
squadron on the coast of Africa, was adopt
ed; North Carolina, Tennessee and Mary
land voting against it.
The Committee of Business recommend
ed the Convention to adopt sundry resolu-
tions encouraging southern manufactures,
and merchants who import directly from
abroad, also, that it be recommended to the
Legislatures of all the siaveholding States
to pass acts exempting one or more slaves
in the hands of each slave holder. from liza
bility for debts contracted after the pas
sage of said acts.
A resolution in favor of direct taxation
and free trade was thrown out by the Com
mittee of Business.
The following resolutions were adopted
by the Convention
ResoIred. That it be recommended to the
Legislatures of all the slavehoding States
to pass acts exempting one or more slaves
in the hands of each stakeholder from liza
bilities for debts contracted after the pas
sage of said acts.
Resoiued. That. in the opinion of this
Convention. the establishment of lines of
steamships for the conveyance of passen-
gers and produce between Southern ports
and foreign ports, form parts of the COM
mercial developments of the South
Resolred, That, as the building of rail-
roads has been deemed necessary for in
ternal intercourse and commerce between
the different Southern States, and the same
has been fostered by public aid from the
respective States. SO the commercial inter
course of the South with foreign nations is
also entitled to similar public aid and con-
sideration.
Rcsolyed, That with the large capital and
facilities for business, and the establishment
of avenues of trade of leading Northern
ports, the commerce of the South with for
eign nations can only be diverted to herself
by the temporary sacrifice of capital in the
establishment and early maintenance of her
enterprise, and to secure these ends public
aid is necessary.
Resotred, That any discrimination of the
general government in favor of lines of steam
ships for mail service starting from northern
ports, is unjust, &C., and similar aid should
be extended to similar lines of steamers from
the South for the same mail service.
Resotued, That this Convention request
the Governors of the several Southern
States, to appoint five delegates whose duty
it shall be to present the subject of line
of steamships across the Atlantic for the
development of the resources of the South,
and the building up of our carrying trade
with Europe, to the people of the Southern
States, and TO solicit aid to carry out such
plan as said delegates may adopt in a con-
vention which they shall call at such time
and place as they may select.
- GOVERNOR WALKER DEFENDS HIMSELF.
Washin gtom, dug. 2O.-Gov. Walkers of
fetal correspondence contains defence
against the charge of the South, declaring
that he never proposed to make suggestions
to the Convention, and stating that while
the South has charged him with the inten-
ton of admitting abolitionist Migrants as
voters, the Black Republicans have charged
him with the desire of bringing thousands
of Missourians into the Territory to settle
the contest.