Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-16
ride between France and tho south.

Trade between France and tho south.
There are features in Mr.. Preston's plan
which we cannot approve. The app-opris-
ton of bountics to steamship mopopolies from
the Federal Treasury, is repuguant to the
principles Of the State Rights Democracy
But, a fair compensation for mail service. is
different and altogether unobjectionahle ex'
pedient. If the members of the Bristol Con-
ventou intend this latter arrangement, then
they should not accept the inequality of terms
which we understand Mr.. Preston to submit
! in the name of the French government
! Again; we do not like the idea OF allowing
| foreign stockholders q control OF the DIrec-
tory tor the first year after the organization
of the company. Altogether, the arrange
ment has rather partial and one-slded ap-
pearaDce.
But, we are not disposed to insist upon
speculative objections. We are willing to
make many allowances for the embarrass.
tnents of Mr.. PrestOn's position. We un-
derstand the difficulty of accomplishing any
thing in Europe without the advantages Of
| diplomatic character. We admit that an in-
| dvidual acting in behalf OF AZ unknown and
irresponsible association, must exhibit un-
common skill and enterprise to coociliate
confidence among the capitalists OF London
! or Paris. We remember, too, that Mr.. Pres
! ton was urging the interests of an untried
and hazardous venture. These considerations
unite in suggesting an ndulgent appreciation
of his iabOrs. Although his scheme be OBJ
! uoxious to criticism 10 some OF its details, We
must allow just praise TO the originality and
plausoility of its leading idea. To run
! line of occan steamers 10 correspondence with
system OF railway communication on both
| sides Of the Atlantic, is n suggestion OF which
the merit is due to Mr.. Preston aud his ssso-
ciates in the Bristol Convention. The ad-
vantages of such an arrangement are obvious
and essential. If the Influence welded by
the Orleans Company in France be directed
with the view of securing adequate patronage
TO o steamship line in It's own interest, that
/ fact of itself will almost determine the sue
cess of the enterprise. The ramihcatlons OF
the Orleans Company embrace Il full third OF
the French Empire, and that too the most
productive in agricultural and manufacturing
| industry. Besides, it's main line communi-
Gates With Switzerland, Germany and North
| italy, and from these different storehouses
attracts the staples OF commerce 10 the point
Ga our side, the Virginia system Of rail-
way intercourse is not q whit less compre.
hensive in its Briaresn embrace. Within
six months the Petersburg and Norfolk road
will be finished. Before the lapse of another
wear. at farihest the Richmond and York
| River line will be completed. Then will
every part Of the Com wealth be easily ac-
cessibe from the sea coast. The railway aud
canal tributaries of Alexandria, Richmond,
and Petersburg, trHversng in conjunction
the entire surface of this State, aud com
muniostipg with the exhaustless valley Of the
| Mississippi, will converge to a common point
and deposit their countless treasures into the
lap of Norfolk. Surely here arc resources
sufficient for the support of steamship line.
That they will not he dissipated and thus fail
| of effect, but will rather be concentrated so
as to flow in single volume to the desired
point ia an advantage of which the com.
muni,y of interest between the associate
railways and steamers gives satisfactory
| guarantee.
The argument in favor Of direct trade be-
tween France and Virginia, is strengthened
| by moral considerations of the weightiest
character.
The commercial independence of the Soath
is ncontestibly essential to the development
of ts material wealth and political power
Rich. South.