The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-30

NAY 30, l004-
Of politicians, and VIII be q mach Of mo. ,ster
mass meeting - convention. II Is suppoAsd
to represent ell varieties Of politicians who are
opposed to the denomination OF Mr.. Lincoln,
and no doubt there win be great deal Of talk
about Fremont and other prospective candi-
dates. But II Is probable that the delegates
will separate without making any nomination,
but will reserve their FIRE until the other two
conventions ~ spoken.
new Mode Or Bieckadang-Tts Ensct en
the Commerce OF New York.
For nearly three years the blockade OF the
Southern ports has continued, and yet, by
nearly every vessel from the West Indies, we
learn Of the safe arrival Of vessels at Havana
Nassau or Bermuda from some ono or moro Of
the blockaded ports, laden with cotton or other
productions Of the South. Only few weeks
ago we received tho news of the safe arrival Of
the steamer Harriet Lane ct Havana, laden with
cotton, from Galveston.
Occasionally our cruisers succeed in captur-
ing one Of these blockade runners but II Is
probable that ct least nine out Of every ten
escape them, and succeed in making profitable
voyages for their Anglo Yankes-rsbel owners.
All attempts made BY the government to put
stop to this traffic have proved unsuccessful.
The trade still continues - brisk as ever, and
there appears to be little prospect Of Its abate-
ment, at least under the present system. At
this port our customs authorities attempt the
blockading business by policy which is tan
tamount to prohibition Of trade with all ports
whence II is believed tho goods sought to be
shipped may be transshipped to rebel ports,
while the ports Of Baltimore, Boston, Portland
and many others permit trade with Nassau,
Bermuda, Halifax and other suspected ports
without restriction. Our merchants, driven to
submit to the ridiculous farce Of giving bonds
on all cargoes shipped by them to these
suspected ports, are invited by the merchants
Of the favored towns abovenamed to send
their vessels to them, where no restrictions are
placed on commerce; and 1t is only short time
since q vessel took cargo at this port for Port
land, went there, made few important addi-
lions, and cleared for Nassau without bond
Our merchants protest against this suicidal
policy, and ask why system by which our
commerce is crippled to so great an extent
should apply only to Thorn and not to the
merchants Of the cities above referred to, and
why the same rule now enforced with regard
to shipments to Nassau, Bermuda, DC, should
not apply to all ports In the West Indies.
1t is we'll known fact that Havana is great
rendezvous for blockade runners that vessels
from rebel ports arrive there weekly, if not
daily, and II they bring the productions of the
South It b fair to presume that they carry
back such goods as are needed there in return.
Again, there are many other ports in the West
Indies whencs the rebels draw supplies, and it
is said that there have been arrangements made
for line Of steamers from st. Thomas to aid
them in carrying out their schemes. Yet no
bonds are required on cargoes shipped to
either Of these ports. The effect OF our
restrictive measures has resulted in driv.
ing our customers to other ports, and,
while it Injuries us, does not benefit
the government. The order prohibiting the
shipment of cattle has resulted in the cs-
adjustment Of line Of steamers between Hall
fax and Bermuda, for the sole purpose of sup
plying that market with them; and our bonding
system, which, it will DO seen, applies to this
port alsne, gives Boston the advantage Of sup
plying the market at Halifax, which she has
successfully done, as may be seen by the large
increase Of her trade in that quarter.
Why is this suicidal policy continued, at the
expense Of New York? The rebels do not
draw their supplies from US; for there are seve-
raj lines Of steamers between Liverpool and
Bermuda and Nassau, by which they obtain
everything they need. The town Of Hamilton.
in Bermuda, has now within it's storehouses
more than fifteen millions Of dollars worth of
goods awaiting rebel market. The stock Of
goods is SO large there that they are even COM
ing forward to this port for market.
With these facts before us, what consum-
mate folly to suppose that the rebels are draw
ing their supplies from us, when we ship less
than one-twentieth Of the goods received at
these suspected ports It Is true--the fact ex-
ists-that goods shipped here have found their
way into rebel ports; but that Is no argument
in favor Of the system Of attempting the block
ade of Wilmington by the scouting system
in the New York Custom House. The mere
fact that we know that the horse we ride has
bride attached to his tail is no evidence that
we can guide him, or that he will not run away
with his rider. Let US hayc done with this
foolish system. Let us open our loyal ports to
the commerce Of the world, permit any one to
buy and ship whatever he chooses, and to any
neutral port he will-except goods contraband
of war-and then let vs. catch the violators of
our blockade, and II any "loyal" citizens be
found among them hang them. By this system
we will at least get the credit Of doing business
In . sensible manner, and shall not, AZ now,
be held up to the derision Of all practical bust