The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-05-19
Southern Commercial Convention.


It will be seen that we publish elsewhere
ia abstract of the proceedings Of the South
ern Commercial Convention 40 far rs they
have reached us. The large number Of
persons in attendance is an evidence of the
interest felt in the purposes of these meet.
iBgs through the entire Southern Suites.
nearly all of which seem 70 be ~ell rep
resented. We are not sanguine in the be.
lief that these Conventions will res ult in
auJ great advantage 10 the South, snce tho
object of their first design-the advance
ment of She Commercial interests OF the
South-secms in measure to have been
lost sight of, and in lieu thereof, is substi-
tuted matters of less practical utility. The
annual meeting together of the entire
Southern States by delegates 10 discuss the
feasibility of direct intercourse with Europe
and devise means by which this important
end is to be achieved, that is to relieve ss
OF our dependence upon Northern enter
prise, and TO stimulate the Southern people
to an increased attention to the subject Of
manufactures, inducing them with sense
OF itsimportance, that the South may be as
really independent in nll things pertaining
to her prosperity as people as her vast re-
sources entitle her to be, would BE- matters
worthy the consideration Of n great people
and our commercial interests really and
truly benefited thereby. These are the real
and Legitimate subjects of Commercial
Conventioa and ufiord the frst and only
mediums through which the vast resources
are TO De developed.
How far these purposes, conceded To be
the prime and original design of the Con-
vent:on, have been ceviated from, our rea-
ders can judge for themselves, by calling
to mind the proceedings Of the last Conven-
tion and observing the present which is be-
fore them. The leading matter before the
Convention Of 81, was the projected revi.
val of the slave trade, and this il still he
question before the Convention in Mont
gomery. We notice the names Of many,
if not all, of the leading advocates Of this
measure in attendance, and they seem deter
mined to secure for il all the prestige and
inaneoee which vigorous discussion in the
Southern Commercial Convention and n
perfect monopoly Of the time of the hitter
can give.
IL this measure continues 10 gain con-
ver:s in proportion to the gigantic efforts
of those who brought it into being, and
who seem to be working for Immortality,
We see in 1t all the elements for the des-
trncticn Of that unity at the South upon
which mainly depends her salvation in view
of the political troubles with which she is
threatened. No true lover Of the South,
conscious Of the act, would seek to divide
her at n time like the present, when Nor
ihern aggression is making its rapid strides,
the equilibrium between the two sections
destroyed and the p.eponderence of power
becoming every day greater against U.S.
There is strength in unity and so long as
we retain the latter, are We safe but il
we suffer ourselves 10 be divided by abstract
propositions, the utility Of which are not
only doul tful but worse than doubtful--in-
volving the certain depreciation Of the most
valuable species Of our properly, dcsolation
and bioOdshed, then We are prey to the
enemies Of our interests from wherever
they may come, and instead Of the power
and independence, which, under other cir
cumstances would De ours, We must sub.
NIT 10 n state Of yassalagc to those who
will laugh at our indiscretion and exult in
the denuefhent to which our reckless and
suicidal course has led.
Since writing the above, we have recriv-
ed the Daily Confederation Of the 18th
inst, published at Montgomery, containing
full reports up TO the evening Of the 18th.
We find in it also an editorial article upon
the subject Of the Convention, there as
sem5lcd, which sustains our view sugges-
ted above: that this Convention of the peo-
pie, under the circumstances, will not be
productive of good. The editor alludes 10
the fact that the matter Of the slave trade,
up TO that period, had occupied the whole
time Of the Convention, regrets the bitter
feeling and recrimination that | has excited
ana concludes 10 this wise
Most. unfortunate has this been to our
section. At n time above all whom the
South might and should have stood united,
almost rs one man, just rs unanimity Of
action such as nerer yet had been attained, was
secured in Congress among Southern rep
reseniatives OF all political casts and parties
We have had the apple Of discord cast
among US, and the bitter and angry waters
Of strife and contention stirred up, we fear
to their lowest depths. Proud spectacle
this for the Abolitionists After years and
years Of struggle and toll we succeeded
in uniting like band Of brothers in roach
ing bright and triumphant position for
the South--a repeal Of the Missouri Com.
promise--a decision Of the Supreme Court
declaring il originally unconstitutional, and
opening all the territories Of the Union 10
10 the slaveholder-an election Of Presi.
dent and n minority Of both branches Of
Congress upon that issue--and finally an