The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-28

| ' OAAnS, ~ uoupt, w INC pfoSIces VI
long war.
| Another portion of our Southern news to-day
comprises some very important proceedings in
the Southern Commercial Convention at
Macon, Georgia, which occurred on the 18th
| inst A series of resolutions were introduced
| by the members of what is known as the
"direct trade party" which were intended to
strike blow ut the commerce of the
North, and in an especial manner at
"New York banking influence" 1t was
proposed to impose a tax on Northern coast
wise importations; to tax Northern exchange
and Northern shipping; TO remit duties upon
all cargoes which run the blockade, and to
! open the ports to foreign merchandise. These
! resolutions were opposed by General Duff
Green, on the grounds that their adoption
would render impossible any adjustment with
! the North, would serve to prolong the war, and
| would prevent the reconstruction of CONNER
cial and financial relations between the North
and South. These views, we are told, had
| great weight with the Convention, and the reso-
buttons were at once laid upon the table.
! Taking in connection these two significant
the cotton interest all over the South, and
the rejection of resolutions by the Com
mercial Convention, whose tendency was
to delay the reconstruction Of commercial
relations with the Northern States, together
with the recent declaration of independence
by the people of North CaroIina-it is not too
much to conclude that great revolution in
NH 10 In -,
South; that the masses of the Southern people,
at least of those engaged in the commercial in
dustry Of that section, are losing confidence in
the leaders of rebellion which has brought
distress and disaster upon every class in the
community. And we infer from this condition
Of things that it only needs some vigorous and
jndicions application of the great military and
naval force now at the command of the govern
ment at Washington to break the back of this
monstrous rebellion, and restore the country to
peace and prosperity.
Our Great Naval Expedition South
Opening Of Southern Cotton Port
Two.
Our readers are aware that since the brilliant
achievement at Hatteras Inlet the government
has been ndustriously pushing forward, night
and day, the work of a naval expedition for the
South of great magnitude; that for some days
past the ships-of-war and transports Of this ex
petition have been mastering at their appointed
rendezvous near Fortress Monroe, and that the
spectacle thus presented in Hampton Roads has
been an imposing and sublime one. This power
full squadron is now at sea, en- route for its
Southern destination, having sailed on Saturday
last in full force.
AS to its destination and its objects we hope
very soon to hear cheering, satisfactory and
glorious report. We have had the information
and the facilities, for days and weeks past,
as to the vcssels-of-war, the gunboats and trans
ports, the armament Of the ships and the land
forces comprehended in this important enter
prise; but, in compliance with a reasonable re-
quest from the government, we have studiously
abstained from the publication Of any of these
very important details. We have thus, in good
faith, consulted the patriotic objects of this ex-
| petition, concurring in the expediency of keep
| ing from the enemy, to the latest moment, not
only the destination of the feet, but its strength
and the elements of which it is composed.
We can freely say now that it is the most
formidable naval expedition ever gotten up OH
this continent, and that for half century
there has been nothing equal to it in Europe,
excepting the Baltic and Black Sea squadrons of
England and France in their late war with
Russia Of course, the objects of this formida-
BILE enterprise are Of no trifing or secondary
character. 1t is a movement which will "carry
the war into Africa'-that is, into the seaports
Of some Of those States which are the head and
front Of this monstrous rebellion-a move
ment from which we anticipate speedy South
ern Union reaction among the people of the
cotton States, and speedy and complete col
lapse Of secession with all its atrocities, in the
border slave States.
1t is not, therefore, surprising that the people
of our loyal States contemplate this seaboard
expedition with degree of interest solicitude
| and confidence scarcely second to that which
| attaches to our grand army of the Potomac.
| Any great success on the part of this naval en-
| terprise will be almost equal to crushing de-
feat of the grand rebel army of Virginia, and
| will probably lead to that result without much
| fighting, from the decentralization and dsper-
sion Of said army, should General Mcclellan
/
deem il best to wait for some such broadside on
The right flank of the rebel forces We think it
probable, too, that Mcclellan, though strong
enough to march at once upon Beauregard, will
await this fire upon the enemy's right flank and
rear, as the signal for an advance upon Manas-
sas. With two or three of the scaports of tie
cotton States, between Wilmington and New
Orleans, recaptured and garrisoned by the
forces Of the United States, the rebel forces in
Virginia from the cotton States will inevitably
hurry OF home. This will end the reign Of Sc
ccssion in Virginia; and, with Virginia thus
gone by the board, this whole rebellion will
speedily fall TO pieces.
But this grand naval expedition has still
another object in view, II we are not mistaken.
1t is the humane and charitable object Of open
Ing Southern cotton port or two for the benefit
of our suffering cotton planters at home, and Of
our Southern cotton manufacturers abroad.
England and France, just now, are in great