New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-05-24
Meh 0rlealrs 4alIp Grssfent,
DIRECT TRADE FOR THE SOUTH.

. y
We notice the arrival at Norfolk, Virginia, of the
ship clone STAR direct from Bordeaux, France,
with an assorted cargo of wines, brandfes and
manufactured articles Of different kinds from the
workshops Of France and the Continent of Eu-
rope. The cargo, the Norfolk papers say, is
eagerly sought after by merchants and private
citizens, and will be quickly disposed Of. And the
ship, after taking in return load Of the agricutu
raj productions of Virginia. will set sail for France
again, and ply regularly afterward between the
two ports of Bordeaux and Norfolk.
This is an enterprise set on foot by an intelligent
French gentleman, M Lacouture who, after
residence Of several years in Virginia, and
thorough examination of the agricultural and COM
mercial capacities Of that State, was astonished-
as well he might have been-that the foreign COM
merce of Virginia was conducted through New
York and other Northern Cities instead Of directly
from and to her own waters. NJ. Lacouture saw
great Commonwealth producing abundantly of
breadstufs, tobacco and other things in request
the other side Of the Atlantic, and consuming
largely of the special productions of his native
land, without any direct commerce worthy of the
name; but paying annual tribute alike on its i'm
port and export trade, to the commercial cities Of
the North. He saw the eastern border Of Virginia
aanked by Chesapeake Bay, the most magnificent
harbor in the world, and he asked himself the
question why Virginia could not successfully carry
on a foreign trade of her own? He not only asked
the question: but he has answered Unanswered it
practically and gloriously Unanswered it in way
that should be a reproach to Virginia for her own
laggard action in an enterprise of such grand and
benefcent consequences. Returning to France, M.
Laconture, by his own efforts, freghted the vessel
whose arrival has just been chronicied at Norfolk
and dispatched her across the ocean. We trust
the enterprise may prove as profitable as it is
praise worthy and commendable. ~.
What NJ Iacouture has done for the establish
ment Of direct trade between Europe and the
South, may be also done by the people of other
States of the South that lie upon the seaboard
The foreign commerce Of New Orleans, it is well
known, is increasing with steady progression So,
also, of Mobile and Charleston. But the leading
commercial cities Of the South from Norfolk to
Galveston should not be content until they are en-
tirey released from all dependence upon Northern
cities, and are able to conduct their foreign com
merce, both to imports and exports, exclusively
for themselves. .@4
This is question involving not merely the com
mercia but also the political interests Of the South
1t is not question of dollars only. It would be
grand end gained it is true, to save to the South
the heavy amounts which we annually pay North
ern factors and importers; but it would be still
grander object to show to the fanatics of the North
that are in no respect dependent upon that sec
ton of the Union. That which constitutes the
wealth of the country-that which enables us to
pay for four hundred millions of imports from
abroad every years mainly the cotton which is
the exclusive product Of the Southern States. If
we exported this cotton direct-as we are glad to
say we are beginning now to do and if we brought
back, Immediately to our own waters, the articles
Of foreign growth and manufacture which we use,
it would require but few years to convince the
North how really independent we are, and to
silence the fell spirit of fanaticism and sectional
hostility. The South will never achieve her true
destiny, political or commercial, as long as New
| York and Boston and Philadelphia Import three
fourths of consumption of foreign articles. But
we are beginning to appreciate our resources and
our true position, and the dawn of brighter day
| for the South is already visible.