Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-23
a Unfortunately. f,o,nnarai.I policy.

Hon John Perkins, IT.. Of the Louisiana delegation IN
Congress- In letter to FRIEND who has given II to the
press, has thrown gu. some views Of the pclcy which
should govern this country in It's future commercial inter
course with the nation now making upon us, that
ssem 10 emlnenty entitled TO consideration. For the
future must be thoroughly Independent Of and ds:on
nsctsd fr II the peopls who using the wealth
acquired by trade with to subjugate and destroy
We must not be left to the risk Of renewal Of form
er commercial vassaage, which contguity habth pre-.
sence of Northern born in midst, and the immi.
grafton that Is 70 be Ipected hereafter render possible
II not probable. Dscrimnsiiye legislation and treaties
will be needed until new business relations and facilities
are established Upon this subject, Mr. Perkins says:
Political independence, without commercial indepen
dence will be abstraction For some minds IL Is diff.
fcult to reaz, the fact that In attaining an indepen
dent Nationality we are 70 establish at the same time,
distinct individuality Our domestic and foreign policy
must and not be- in the nature OF circumstances
mere imitation of Il q; of the old Government Our
true interest requires closer alliance, through CONNER
cal treaties with European nations than with rival
ti5n at our side For me, desire In the fu!urs none
but the most restricted and necessary intercourse with
the p,ope Of the Northern States. We will df.r from
them in the character Of Institutions in our moral
c,de in the habits and feeling Of our people, and in
stead Of assimilation would encourage not an antagons-
national character. To this end should England and
Frarce recognizes our independence would think it
wise 10 discriminate for limited period, after the ter
mnation Of the war in favor Of their vessels and manu.
featured articles would not surrender the right under
commercial treaty to impose such duties please up
on foreign mpotson but should consider no loss Of
serespect 70 agree with England or France, in consid
Grafton Of their exposing themselves 10 with the IT,
by raising the present blockade TO tax for alimied Pc
Rod after the termination Of the war; articles OF North
l.. NJ IN
even 30 per cent higher than similar goods of European
acture For the last twenty years the Northern
States have lived upo1 the resources Of the South We
have paid al annual tribute Of millions in support Of
their f,he,ies thus building up for them the marine
which now iufests our coasts By system OF navga.
ton laws, we have permitted them TO beggar our oWn
maritime ports in building up the grea. cities Of the
North. Added TO this, under sentiment Of pational
pride we have fosered their manufactures at the
pense Of those Of all other nations.
Under these circumstances q discrimination against
them TO the extent Of 10 20 per cent would be- In e.
feet only placing them an equality with other ma
lions They live Immediately along our bord,r; they
understand the character Of wants people are
In the habit Of purchasing ffom them our merchants
have always had credit with them; foreign imporia.
tiops have always been made through them. and by
agencies 10 their midst they have credit abroad which we
have not yet secured
Should peace be established tomorrow, without the
creation of some such legislative barriers have ind
Gated old channels OF trade would Of North
ern manufacturers would infest cities cheap and
inferior article of Northern Manufacture woui preclude
The introduction Of the SUPERIOR substantial European
article and at once and forever PROSTATE those lncpen
manufactures, which now, under the impulse OF pat
riotsm and the public want spnging up In every part
Of the South Nor We be properly charged with viz
dctive feeling in the iaton propose. Our first
zion In the Montgomery Congress was to send Commits
sioners TO treat with the Northern States In most lib
eral and friendly spirit. Our Commissioners
temptuously refused audience. Our next action
TO send similar Commissioners to European nations
Should the poteness With which these representatives
have been listened to ipen into cordial sympathy and
then into actual recognition Of existence an nde
pendent nation, do not think it would be uuwise In
10 respond to their friendly disposition by the formation
Of treaties Of the character have indicated.