Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-11-21

On MONDAY next two important bodies are about to
eassemble the one at Richmond the other at Raleigh.
he Congress of the Confederate States at Richmond
the Convention of the State of North Carolina at
Raleigh
We wish to call the attention of these bodies, espe
cally of the last named to matter which is rapidly
acquiring the most formidable proportions, and assum-
ing the gravest characteristics.
81, was selling here on the tenth of last April at the
rate of Is to 80 cents per sack. What it is selling for
to-day would lie unsafe to state, since there is know
ng what point may reach before sunset. There is
certainly limit. suppose it would be stating the
thing very mildly indeed, we to say that salt has
risen twentyold. We would not venture to say that
it has stopped rising.
And all this within an hours drive of the briney
ocean, which roars around coast for hundreds of
miles Is it not little strange that tshould be SO?
With fair appliances and reasonable investment Of
capital who doubts that salt could be made from sea
water at a very reasonable cost? very considerable
portion Of the salt used throughout the world produc
ed from sea water by evaporation. The salt OF Turks
Island and of other points in the West Indies is so made
and we see that late April last it could be brought
here and sod sack and ALL for IS to 80 cents per sack
Of nearly four bushels being not 20 cents bush
q. We question if the salt cost more than half that
where made. Professor Thomassey is confident that
salt can be produced on this coast, after the process
shall have got into full operations at cents per bushe
1t is admitted that there would be immense profits
realized from the making of salt at rates inconceivably
lower than those which rule and still as
compared with those which are likely to rule, if the
cline keeps travelling up such steep grade as that
which has already brought to its present dizzy height
TIE reason given why those who make salt charge
so high for it, and why others do not go into it, is the
risk supposed to be attached to the Investment Those
in the business say that jnasmuch the blockade may
be raised at any time they must look out to secure
themselves and get their money back in the shortest
possible time. The same considerations which prevent
those in the business from going into it extensively
also prevent those not in it from going into it at ALL so
that really the few small salt works on the coast have
visible effect in restraining speculation or extortion
If the risk is from which private parties shrink
1t certainly a calling for public action since the
matter has really risen to the dimensions of public
grievance Private individuals might not and would not
Ike to risk many thousands of dollars in enterprise
which they might suppose liable to be ruined at any
time by the fortunate event that would remove the
shackes from commerce. The State of North
Carolina ought to take the matter ID hand and the risk
as well as the profit ought to be shared in common
Nay, why should not the Confederacy lead in move
ment absolutely called for by the condition of the
country and the demands of the service
Say that the State of North Carolina should 90 into
his matter to the amount of 100000, or that she
should extend guarantee of that amount to pr
waite parties on certain conditions, might not feel
Tcd tLatLer doing would save the people much more
than the whole cost very short time and render them
hereafter independent and not liable to be bed at both
arms pay ing prices that would be regarded fabulous,
did we not unfortunately find them TO be grave and pain
'I realities.
1t viii rot do to depend upon getting salt from
abroad by running the blockade. That is evidently
much and purely speculation as anything else, and
when salt brings twenty times its former prices real
yaucher other and very different inducements from
those Of self sacrificing patriotism to stimulate tC
the attempt and that it is not oltener made with such
inducements shows the weakness Of any dependence up
ca that source of supply.
We can be and ought to be Independent of al
these interested parties. If private parties cannot
The risk the State can and ought to take it, and al
ucl and we earnestly call upon the Convention to takt
this m.st.rI and If two hundred thous md dollar
re choaduIy appropriated 10 finish the CoafelC
Ea-rosd, that to enable supply Of coal and irol
to he speedily obtained Why should not the State a
choruLly appropriate hundred thousand dollars Il
obtain and secure a supply OF another and equally in
dspCusgble necessary of life and relieve her citizen
from most Onerous tax, 1t would not be sixteel
cents per head for all the white people in North Caro-
lima, dollar for each family in the State less thai
onehrd of the extra cost charged every bushe
of salt and what family OF six white persons aDd tire
negroes does not several bushels in any on
year. This is apractca matter and surely it is not tn
less worthy Of public attention that account. TIL
smaller Sounds of North Carolina afford the safest site
for carrying this business of any points the South
ern coast from Cape Henry to the Rio Grande.
SOMETHING WRoNG-On Wednesday last we re