Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-08-12
Di,ec, Trade With Europe.

Tn our last paper we noticed briefly the pro-
ceedings of the Convention at ola foint' over
which ex-Presideut Tyler presided. The Conven-
ton was hastily called together, but there was
any quantity of speeches delivered, letters read
and resolution adopted, all in favor OF MT. a.
Dudley Mann's scheme of direct trade from 'he
Chesapeake to Europe The resolutions reeo'li-
mend that measures be taken in every county III
Virginia and other Southern States, I" raise
funds for building steamships, po lnalVluua' 10
subscribe for more than one share OF hundred
dollars. Each of the counties, cities ana towns
is also requested to meet in primary assembly
and adopt such measures as may De deemed
proper to accomplish the object, and it was re-
solved to appoint an agent for each Congress
sional District in the State. The sum OF S7,ooo
was subscribed by members of the Convention,
the list being headed by President lyier anu
Governor Wise. Another meeting, IN hch-
mond, ON the second Wednesday in December
was agreed upon, and the Convention ADJOURN
ed.
This is. the grand scheme for the promotion
of Southern commercial independence, invent
ed by an enthusiastic visionary, endorsed by
company OF gentlemen assembled at a place OF
SIMMER resort, and to be ratified by the great
est bumbug of all. the Knoxville Conventions
To tisapprove of plan put forth under sueh
auspices will very likely subject one to the im-
putation of treason to the South, but, neverthe-
| less. we must say that the scheme seems to us
utterly impracticabe. The idea of joint stock
company of some twenty or thirty thous'
and persons conducting commercial enterprise
of this kind is thing unheard OF before. lhe
experiment of steamship companies on sinai
scale has frequently been tried at the South ana IL
every instance the ships have been soid IN
short time, at less than half their cost, to North
ern capitalists, and the project given up as
failure. The same fate will happen 10 Mr
Mann's magnificent scheme if he should succeed
in raising money enough 10 set it ahoat' whlci
we think very doubtful No mere sectional
party influence can carry out successfully grea
commercial enterprises it mnst be demanded
Inv the necessities of trade and be managed q
any other business in which men embark 10
their own advantage, in order to insure sue
cess.
We, of course, are not opposed to direct trad
with Europe from Southern ports, and especial
" from the waters of Virginia. On the contra
ry we desire to see it established, and TOR TIL
very reason object to all absurd projects wliic
will end in ridiculous results, and delay tn
object proposed. The Hon. William baiiar
Preston's mission to England has 90 eonnectio
with Mr.. Manns scheme, and may possibly re
suit in some good. The English have steam
ships ready built, aud if Mr.. Preston can satlsf
them that it will be TO their interest to SEN
some of the vessels to Virginia, no great harl
can be done. At any rate, Mr.. Preston wi
have pleasant jaunt to Europe, and we hop
he win enjoy it, But even his undertaking seem
to us rather premature. 1t would have been Del
ter. we think, to wait till our various railroGd
from the West to the seaboard are completed
and then practical men will take hold of tine Gu
terprise. capital will come in unsolicited, an
trade will flow Oh in q nataurs course acros
the ocean. 1t is not characteristic or some 9
our great men, however, to await the natura
course of things; they would force trade into
new channel by soms great effort, and rathe
than not have masnifoent schema on hmm
they will take up a magnificent humbug.