Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-04-06

he gets his vorite theme of the wrongs done to him
self and his property" would hold on with steady per-
tinacity which any opponent might envy But seems
that the Scuherners in the last week Of Feb
ruaay that there business be done. The crisis
at hand. President Lincoln who had been making
semwarke speeches all the way from llliuois at
Washington, and was TO be inaugurated in few days
What he might do-what he might compel the South to
do question of grave Importance With his prin
cpes he could hardly fail to bring matters TO danger
rous issue. Major Anderson qu e prepared at Fort
SUMTER while the batteries OF Charleston ready
open az the shortest notice When only few days in.
teryene between the sitting OF assembly and what may
be cvi! war the takave is silenced and the
reckless becomes moderate. Hence the Congress of Mont
gomery has exhibited Itself pattern Legislature -
Philanthropy aud political economy have ruled the dis
cussors Of ihssc fiery Souiherncrs. The renewed
demnaiion Of the slave trade the throwing open OF the
Mississippi navigation and the repeal OF the navigation
laws among the first fruits OF Southern legislation
and the confederate politicians doub; hope by these
70 SGT themselves morally right before the world
darm The alousy of the Western States and to tring
T. gland TO their side by concession contrasting
strongly with the barbarian iberaly OF the oil Union
The navigation Of the Mississippi has been dccaIdd
free to the Of any OF the States s borders
upon the borders of It's nsvigabc tributaries. The en-
actmcEt a necessity. lt is impossible 10 imagine
that the Western States would permit their ie
outlet 10 The 10 be closed by the ouruique OF
foreign Custom House. E1,n IN K,rope he Do"bc
l'i""tH
ic rdccs has 6ea madc free. The people living the
head waters Of tho Mississippi the Ohio the Missouri
and the Arkansas, would be most indignant any
attempt were made 10 interfere with the traffic between
the Gulf and the heart Of the American continent
Hence the Confederate States have enacted that all ships
and boats which may enter the waters OF the Mississippi
within the limits OF the confederacy, from any port
place beyond the said limits may freely pass with their
cargoes any other place beyond the said limits, with
out let or hindrancc, on paying pi!otagc and other
.ba iatinp la fi,a
Of any part ct the cargOes without payment of the
toms due TO the Confederate States This the Southern
ers probably think is all the Western people can desire
or at least Justly claim.
Having paid this tribute to the legitimate susceptible
ties OF their neghbOrs the Congress then plunged boldly
neither doubs delay. The Confederate States
nothing if not free traders. The act, which ready
for the Presidents the 2Gth of February speaks
for itself II is 20 modify the navigation laws, and 20
repeal all discriminating duties ships aud vessels -
aud enacts that all laws which forbid the employment
in the coasng trade of ships vessels enrolled
licensed, and also all laws which forbid the importation
Of goods wares or merchandise from one port Of the
Confederate States to another from any foreign port
or place in a vessel belonging wholly in part to sub
ect c zen Of any foreign State Power, hereby
repealed" Discriminating duties on foreign ships are
also repealed. T Me eoastng trade fyoa CbdriesioR
10 Galgeston is noO Hr0ui open 10 the British Big-
This is certainly more liberal aud manly policy than
That when has found faVcr IN the Northern states,
which, not content with excluding from their coast
ing trade interpreted coasting trade iaclude he
voyage from New Epg.ud, round Cape llOrn, to Cali
ornia
The third important measure passed ts the Congress
ia for the suppression OF the slave trade 1t ia tie
uaua terms but contains provision for dealing with tie
negroes found board the captured vessel, Which is
somewhat amusing. If The vessel is cleared from any
port in the United States the President shall commuri
cate with the Governor Of that Sate and shall offer 10
deliver such negroes to the said State receiving eua
anee that the slid negroes shall enjoy the rights anI
privileges of recmen in suoh STATE in any other State
Of the United States, hat they shall be ported
Africa and there set at liberty without expense to the
government" TIE roon OF the Confederate States UIr-
gaining with New York Pennsylvania that o uegro
shall have all the .igEta and privileges of freeman"
will no doubt give the aboltionists hopes OF converting
the secessonts some day. In default of the foreign
State accepting this offer, the Pres:dcn. shall rec~:,e
any propositions made for the transport of he negroes
Africa by private persons aud, should 10 such phaa
thropst offer himself "the President shall cause the
said negroes to be sold a; publ auction 10 tie highest
bidder" Thie, 1t muFt confessed Is descent from
The lofty morality Of the earlier part OF the clause but
have dcscTibed fair amount OF good legislation for
a single week.