Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-08-14
Mass Commercial and Financial cOnvsn-

Mass Commercial and Financial COnven-
| tiOn.
To the Merchants Bazesrs and Otaers
Of the Confederate States Of America:
There are two great objects which we desire as
the result of the momentOus struggle which is now
pending. One is political, the other is commercial
| and financial.
The first has been thoroughly organized, and un-
der the direction of the ablest minds in Con
federacy, and with the blessing of God, appears to
be rapidly progressing to satisfactory conclusion.
The second, ami in estimation the greatest and
most important, has not, as yet, an rganiz4tion,
and is in great danger Of being lost by the
| Of the first, before any well digested plans have
| been adopted for its attainment.
We feel it to be duty. therefore, to ourselves
and our country, TO seek to awaken the public mind
to the incacuable Importance of seeing TO it, that
/ our forces are promptly mustered and well equip
ed for the'coming struggle, plans thoroughly
| discussed and well matured, that By prompt and
combined action when the movement shall be made,
we shall ensure entire success, and become, as we
seek to be, not only politically, but commercially
and financially free and Independent
Have we not the skill and energy in eur COnfede-
raey which is needful to conduct our commercial
and financial affairs as well abroad as at home If
not we fear we must be content. heretofore, to
allow them TO remain in the hands OF, and be con
ductSi ty otherE-
Shall the profits arising from our immense trade
with foreign countries continue 10 flow into the
hands of those who are inimicsl to OVr peace and
welfare or shall the benefits arising therefrem be
retained by US and transmitted as rich legacy to
our children?
A mighty and systematic efUrt has been made by
merchants and bankers at the North to transfer to
and eBgross almost the entire profits Of Southern
trade in their own hands Our Institutions have
been decried to the world in the hope that by this
means they might drive from rs the synipathies Of
other commercial nations and obstruct, if not
wholly prevent, direct intercourse between US and
them.
With these facts before rs, is it not time we
should awaken to the vital importance Of instant,
wise and decided action upon this subject?
One of the greatest obstacles in the way of tie
establishment Of direct trade with foreign countries
Immediately upon the opening Of the ports Of oEr
COnfederaey-is the fact that our merchants are
comparatively unknown in foreign markets, and
have no credit established there Although the
prsducts of the Southern States have constituted
the basis of credits and exchange between the iate
Enfted States and those nations for more than half
a sestury in a financial and commercial sense we
are unknown to each other-our bills of exchange
having been drawn By Northern houses, and the
ysst amount of their productions consumed by US
Imported through the same channel-sO little
have been known in the transactions, that years
would be required in the ordinary course of events
10 build up that trade and establish that confidence
which is absolutely necessary in commercial tran
saetiOns which are founded a system OF credits.
Il is clear, therefore, that some extraordinary
must be devised % enable Us 10 Tree our
selves from these impediments to our commercial
credit and independence, and prevent our falling
back into the old channel as soon as our ports
again Open It is, moreover, desirable that our pro-
ducts other than great staple, should be fully
made known to the world, and the great advantage
TO foreign nations of direct trade with US, and We
should all Gnite our efforts in the promotion of this
great work
We therefore cordially invite the merchants. ban
kers and others of the Confederate States to meet
us in mass couventOn in the city of Macon, on the
I4th day of October next for the purpose Of devils
ing some plan for establishing a system of credits
between tie Confederate States Of America and for
eign countries which may be practicable and avail
ing TO all desiring TO it, and which will also
command the hearty support of the citizens Of our
whole country.
We earnestly invite the assistance and eoopera-
to of the press of the Confederate States in bring
ing de subject fully before the people and the pre-
enee Of its members on the occasion named.
We would also, respectfully suggest to the Vari-
ous Chaabers of Commerce and other Societies
within the COnfedsraey. organized for similar Pur-
poses the property Of appointing Committees at
an early day Eor the purpose Of due and delibe-
rate investigation OF this important subject, and
proposing sozRs plan to be submitted 10 the Conyen-
ton at its meeting
Very respectfully, WN. B. JOHSsToN,
President Macon Chamber Of Commerce
Henry L. Jewett, Secretary Macon Chamber of
Commerce
Maoon Georgia, Jay 10. 1851.