Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-03-23
Tho True Commercial Policy Of Virginia

Tho True Commercial Policy OF Virginia.
We continue this thcmc--worlhy as it is OF
4 prominent position in the public eye, and at
this moment absorbing large part of public
attention.
We have already indicated our conviction
that the only safe principles upon which to hase
Il system of legislation having for its primary OBJ
jcct the progress Of commerce, are such as will
inspire confidence, give permanent security to
investments of capital, and leave the energies
and the wits of merchants and dealers free to
find their own markets by their own routes in
the int-rchangcs Of trade
AS a general proposition, this will meet with
few, il any, opponents at this day, among well
informed statesmen or political economists
Yet. plain as it is, and universal as its applica-
ton is becoming among every commercial reo-
pie on the glube---rrc; rcaching, o! late 10 the
overthrow OF the hoary restrictive system Of
France--thc legislation Of Virginia appears
disposed 70 bold fast to the ulh-lashoned doc
sriIies Of i century ago, which Saddled COLI
,acrcc with multitude Of weights, and held
trade in the bonds OF Limitation and restriction
What is wise policy on large scale, is the
true policy on small scale. That line of poll
c. which created the monicd wealth Of Eng
land, which i.as made London and Liverpool
the inarts Of the products Of the world, and
which built up and still stimulates their
successful rival along ouc Northern At
iau:c border, will exhibit similar pro.
cess Of development, as its natural conse.
quencc: when applied for = series Of years to
the natural advantages and facilities Of Cur
Northern cities. But to produce like effects
upon the unequalled advantages and facilities
OF our Virginia cities. our policy mus. be, like
theirs, founded in equality and justice and
must be settled and unchanging, subject 10 no
serious or sudden fluctuations; calculated 10
create that confidence without which there can
be no such thing as commercial activity and
energy. This is the ntiexible law Of trade, III
dependent Of and beyond the reach Of any
other code.
II is from such premises we arc compelled
10 star, in forming all opinion upon the State
policy, indicated in the plans proposed, TO in
tiict retaliatory blow upon the property OF
those Northern communities who have no re-
gard for the property Of their ncighbors. The
spirit and purpose to teach them, 10y expert.
eucc, that honesty is tile best policy in public
~ we'll as private affairs, has our hearty con
currcnce; aud whatever injury Il Withdrawal
of the intercourse OF their Southern customers
might n;iict, would be richly deserved. lMl
| there are two modes to accomplish this purpose
| the one. policy which will strengthen our.
selves, ard relieve us, by degrees, Of that conf
mercial dependence of which We are unplcas-
antly conscious the other, policy which may
make them feel. 20 some extent, the importar"
! OF our friendly intercourse, but will tend, at
the same time TO GeprcsS the very interest
upon whose thrift we must rely for our ulli.
mate release from the commercial vassalage.
But with the adoption Of this policy what be-
comes OF the political lesson it behooYes us 10
give to the North? We answer, since discrim.
mating legislation brings so much evil 10 our
selves on its heels, leave the lesson TO be taught
BY the peoplc-let the natural indignation Of
our citizens, in common with their fellow.citi.
xcns OF the South, work out its own inevitable
results. The indignation may not be so deep
or so general rs it ought to be, but it will be
certainly and seriously felt If this feeling is
not strong enough to control the current of
trade altogether, it will change il, materially
and We only make the matter worse if lcssla-
tion shall so effect the interests Of trade in gen.
cral that our own centres will not furnish the
supplies which the interior demand requires.
At last, public sentiment is the controlling
power in all these movements. If this shall
prove strong enough, with legislative interfer-
ence, to retain our own trade within our own
borders, to limit the consumption Of Northern
products, and 10 demand foreign inportations
where they can be substituted, then the ena
is gained without damage to ourselves.
Ii this feeling is not sufficiently general or
deep, then the special enactnents, by taxation
or otherwise, will be regarded Is burthcnsome
and oppressive, ard, as all experience shows,
will be resisted Or cvadcl in every way that
ingenuity can devise We propose to refer TO
the opinions of commercial men ol, this sub
jcct, us expressed in their memorials and essays
for years past. but leave that for another day.
By discriminating course Of legislation, we
can impose heavy per centascS upon Northern
productions, but only by creating sudden re
Yulsions III trade. interfering with the even
low Of enterprise, alarming cautious OF titnid
capital, and DESTROYING more OF less ..hat con-
iidence on which the entire commercial fabric
is reared. The blow aimed at car foes would
rcco! upon ourselves with redouhled force;
and while we intend injury to them, Sc deprive
ourselves Of the very weapons upon which we
nusi '.cpclrd for onr own deiprce and deliver
ancc. On the other hand. by encouraging in
ves;men,s in trade; i,y announcing definite
policy Oh which The mercantile class cnuld de-
prnd for safety and perfect equality, hy which
capitalists "pulu oc Eh1ie" !" eoi'0'h III '''"
mcrce on the same terins as III manufactures hr
agriculture, with assurance Of equal and per-
manent protection; by giving perfect freedom
TO their ventures and speculat!ons, and leaving
them untrantnced, to 20 where the hops Of
profit leads thsm--by such policy We would
strengthen cur commercia' muscles and sinews;
gradually lind ncw markets for. our exports
and ,ew sources al import; provide lor otT
wants abroad, where foreign ports could supply
them; depend every day less and less upon the
manufacturer, or shipper or CARRIER
and spread our commerce over every neld which
a profitable return for It's enterprises
This we hold to he the only policy which will
ensure in the end the commercial independence
of Virginia.
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