Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-05-28
Commercial Independence.

dence. which the brave hearts and strong arms
OF their men are now prepared ct all hasards
and 70 the last extremity to maintain. Ihey
have now to set about accomplishing their
commercial freedom; and if we are disposed 70
exert proper energies in acquiring it, tho South
has opened to it q most brilliant triumph IN
the future.
History teaches US that the power of ma
tons has generally been in the ratio OF their
trade. Under its influence, villages and towns
crow to the dignity Of cities, numbering tier
Inhabitants by hundreds of thousands: rivers,
harbors aud docks arc crowded eth ships;
money f,ws in from all nations; railroads are
mult;plic6;th artisan andth4 iaborer find ample
employ, nent, ard the t::ttiers Of the soil obtain
rznuperatiyc price, for oil their productions
Whenthe trade ofthe Indies was confined to the
Mediterranean, the cities Of thst Sea were the
most influential in Europe. When, however,
that trade was diverted from them by the
Dutch, their power was also transferred 70
their successful rivals. In the course OF time
England ~monopolized so much Of the trade Of
all countries as to make that little island a
mighty power while her merchants became The
bankers for tie world. Latterly she has found
\ rival in the Northern States Of our late
Union, who competed with her in every sea
ard cline, the success of which competition IS
witnessed in the rapid growth Of New ioIk,
Philadelphia and Boston. Tho secession move.
men. has, however, broken the sceptre IN the
hard Of the North, for it was in the productions
Of the Southern States that they found the
basis Of their commerce. Had The North
gracefully acknowledged our independence,
their would not have suffered to q
very great extent Southern geese would still
have gone 10 Yankee tests to lay their golden
eggs. They would still have carried our pro-
ducts, still have brought TO US our merchandise
AID from both large profits would have accrued
&c them. But, BY their efforts at coercion,
they hare so a~lienated the Southern States, as
to render it almost impossible for them again
ever to become the traders for tho South. Our
N will require at least three millions OF
tonnage, and in this one item is found employ
rael, ior one hundred and hisy millions Of cap
;:al, but, whilst that is . large amount it is
not all thousands of seemen, besides ship
builders, will be required for such q tonnage;
warehouses must be erected, assurances and
commissions must be paid, AID the profits Of
the return cargoes will be made by Southern
instead Of Northern merchants. These are
soms Of the results CT an attempt at coercion
5y the Lincoln Government. Sooner or later
the Yankee merchants must balance their
books, aud they will DO astonished at their
"loss account"
Richmond tho Southern CaPitnl-Hints
TO Applicants.
Upon the transierence Of the seat Of govern.
nent OF the Confederate States Of America to
The Metropolis Of Virginia, it may be ~aaticipa.
ted that the business Of the Departments will
be greatly enlarged. We are informed that
even now, at Montgomery, which is so remote
:roIn the war, the pressure upon the secreta-
RES, and particularly upon the Minister OF
War, is absolutely unprecedented. What,
thar, is likely to be tie stress Of personal ap'
o!iestions in this city surrounded BY a denser
population and in closer proximity to the thea
ire Of operations in the fsld? Truly the Ia.
bors Of the head Of the War Department must
Be Herculean. But President Davis himself,
having once been Secretary Of War, it is very
cart,in he possessed the ability to desig.
o::e The proper man for the position. And
from tine observation We have been able to
mike at this distance, We can have no hesita.
ION IN believing that General L. P. Walker
has been and will prove to be altogether equal
to the responsible duties Of this branch Of the
service.
Nevertheless, at q moment such as the pre-.
sent, there ought to be no unnecessary pressure
on the War Department; and we may render
= kindness to some of GU, readers who purpose
rendering their services to the Government OF
the Confederate States. by informing them
that it has been already distinctly announced
by authority. that appointments in the regular
army, and especially from civil life, have been
entirely suspended. The powerful array now
IN process Of rapid organization, is mostly
composed Of volunteers enrolled for the war
Few troops, comparatively, have been accepted
for the more limited term Of twelve months,
and these, in all cases, We learn, have present
ed themselves completely armed and equipped.
Under thess circumstances, the Confederate
government has been enabled to defer the Or
gan;zation Of the Regular Army for an inde6.
mite period, and to save the enormous expen-
dituro necessarily involved until the present
demand upon the Treasury shall have ceased.
Ouz volunteers, for the most part, being en-
rolled tov the war, will be converted into reg
u:ars, composed Of the finest material in the
world, and prepared. from the high character
and accountable spirit Of each individual SOL
der, 30 conquer or die. Many Of the officers
already appointed from civil life, will have to
seek commands among the volunteers, or be
permanently stationed away from the glory
of,he battle field. The Secretary OF War might,
perhaps, have gained some personal friend.
ships BY continuing the organization Of the
Regular Army, and making more appoint
ments; but he mas preferred to consult econo.
my of administration and high public necessi-
ties.
Considering that tho Government of the
Confederate States, by this movement, has
ev;nccd the determination to protect our beau
,iful city from the ruthless power against
which we are oil. contending, whose chief Gle.
men. ,os political rule is the sword Of despot.
ism, We need scarcely add, that every facility
for Offices and quarters should be extended to
its chiefs and employees and every Charge in
respect to them, both officially and personally,
sLaa;d BIO rendered without any view to spec