Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1857-12-01
Ror The Kskawha Valley star.
Proceedings or tic Bristol ConTtntlon-
MI. Ballafd Preston in Franco.

t4ssIfT UUlAAt ttNt0A etA = II
III the month ofSJune last, 1t the
A patriotic and intelligent instant OF "
4 r. MCDANIEL, President Of the Viz
ginrai& Tennessee Railroad Colnpa-
] Inv, q Conventions composed Of the
Presidents and Directorssofthe Rail.
Il roads Of the center and south. east q q
'IVirginia. and Of the States pt Ie Z, 4 z
see and Kentucky and the Two Oaro I,
'Ilinas assembled at Bristol "a small
Village. only built about I. year, on the
Ifonn;Sary between Tennessee and Y III
5;nia. This Convention was only IN
Session d single daybut single.
/ speech was made most fimpur-
ltant resolutions we're passed with /, =
i unanimity. which proved that each
I member Of the Convention perfectly
4 comprchended the purpose aud end
4 OF the meeting.
Men, representing Important M
jdustial interests were there; Agricnlt
lturists. friends ofprogrcss, were there
altoo.; and ono idea zone thong .--ail |
i mated each ofthe members, from the
lfeuf points oil compass, with po-
5litical faith and doglnas certainly
very diverse, but ali friends of their
fconntry and all DESTROYS to contribute
Ito its development. The banner, m,
Eder which they rallied, had fof its de.
vice butthis: 1.-The commercial and
maritime independence OF the South
4 Each ono ofthemknew that The trnc
only means Of realizing this
j idea-was the establishment Of direct
trade, between the most fiiyorable
l parts ofthe Sonth and Europe; and
Jail agreed that Chesapeake bay was the
lonly point which would satisfyall the
necessities ofthis trade and the port
of Norfolk was indicated as the point
lof departure, on this straightforward.
/ No rivalry, no political idea came to
disturb this unaninity oil gallant and
| generous hearts. Each ofthein, rs !
lhaye said above, had left at home the
Esprit of exclusiveness and egotisni,
(which often paralszes the best senti4
Irnents. Mr.. Ballard Preston was
unanimously chosen to go to Europe.
Ito represent to Beard of trade and
great capitalists, the desire of the
commerce and Icapitalistso fthe South
II. certainly, was not change which
determined The cloiceof Mfr. Preston.
Formerly secretary Of the United
lStates Navy. q man honorable in
1every respect, he would inspire The
most implicit confidence but Ills able
apeeeh, full ofinestimable convictian.
|of generous inspirations md divide.
spread yiews-outsiae ofthe political
platforms Of the old parties gained
the votes Of all, and the discnssion
was terminated. e.
1.-THE Bristol Convention had done
nothing, butte give this example Of
nnanimity and good understanding.
| the work Of Mr.. Mcdaniel and his
colleagues, was still an event ofi inn
mense Importance for the Sentli 1 be-
cause, it has fvnnd a neutral ground.
on which patriotic men, of every .po-
llitical faith, can join llanas and
hearts. f
Many Conventions have met On the
Immense territory OF the Sontll
Talent and patriotism has never been
wanting lin them !; what has been
their result Two month after, at
some miles from Bristol. alinther
Convention met - at Knoxville. -.
More than nine hundrc1 members
were present. What has resulted
from itl Talent, truth, experience
| and patriotism met together there.
iNhy, then, were their labors sterile
because no end, no performances Of
practical utility was there proposed
la thousand meteors and a thousand
barriers foated lat randoms and poll
ltics--that HAPPY, that fouls every
thing il touclies--left no place for
reasonable plans. Let us hope that
the example Of the Bristol Conven-
ftion. which was So little thought Oh
by! its neighbors. may profit that
1 which isHto assemble, next May, at
Montgomery, and that experience will
4 bring its frnits.
4 Let us,1then, thank those practical
minds. who SO we'll understood their
mission at the Bristol Convention
that OF M. Preston, lis about to Dc &C.
complishea. Atpresent, doubtless,
The is traversing the ocean, to- rem
1 der anaccount Of his success. Il may
H be permitted the writer, an humble
. co-operater, who has performed his
II feeble part or MD to the work 9th
i: Copycntion, to rejoice ut the results
II obtained by Mr.. Preston, My aspir.
fations have not been deceived. i was
sure that the representative ofVir.
Iginia would be nobly received in
France--,ny dear couptry-ani
doubly rejoice, because Virginia has
now become my country also. Lei
mo then hope that fortunate and fruit.
!, full results for my two countries will
, spring from the intelligent thoughts
! lot practical men Of Virginia.
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