The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-06-18
The Board OF Trade.

some PERSONS Wneu tUtS iuStitutlOH was CS~
tablshed in our midst, were disposed to ridi-
cule the idea Of its necessity, or propriety.-
Its prni osors, however, were not dismayed
by the so-called "croakers" aud stand still"
men in the community, who kept sloof, and
saw nothing really or materially beneficial, to
spring out Of 1t. They asked why Board
Of Trade in place where there was lit or
no trade I 1t seemed to them like the folly
of plan which contemplated large and
snowy portico, to very iuconsiderabe and
diminutive structure. While we are unwill-
ing to admit that the "croakers" or DIRECTORS
were wholly correct in their views of the necessi-
ty of Board OF Trade, which isof advantagein
a local point of view, In some respects which
might be named, yet, the recent non-acton
Of the this commercial representative Of the
trade of the city, has rendered it obnoxious
to much of the ridicule cast upon 1t by those
who saw no necessity or propriety for its es-
adjustment. Why the mere show Of a Board
of Trade, whose trade did not exists But,
said its origiuators and projectors we shall
have direct trade, and then you will see the
advantages of such an institution. We wish
to commence now, get underway, and pe Or
ganized and fully prepared when this disid-
eratum, which is to be of such advantage to
our city, shall have been accomplished
This was Ill very well. and SO far, as a re-
ply to the skeptical was a sufficient one, I'M
ill the opportunity should arise, when that
reply came to be subjected to the crucibe,
which was to result in a test of its truth and
soundness. For, it lacked the opportunity of
experience-or ia other words, the theory was
very well. provided 1t should thereafter, find
its realization in actual. experiment or trial.
But now that the wished for period of test
has arrived, now. thst the opportunity is. pre-
sented, now that the steamer Ephesus lies Sc
cured at one of our wharves, with her bows
cooked up out of the water, as signal to this
Board of Trade of ours, that she needs ballast
there in the shape Of cotton, grain, OR naval
stores, to bring her down more upon level,
what are we to. think of the skepticisn Of the
croakers, and the professions and promises of
the Board of Trade? Who was right, the
skeptics or the Board of Trader If the skep-
tics were justly characterised as 'croakers,"
then, by what term are we to characterize the
Board of Trade for their supineness? What
effort has this commercial representative Of
the city of Norfolk made to fnd any portion
of the cargo of the Ephesus? If we were to
tell the amount of return cargo furnished by
this city, it would cause the mercantile cheek
to crimson, and the commercial ears to tingle,
Of those who have been prating of direct trade
for the last ten years, like the parrot which
was taught to say, Gad, how he hicks EN-"
Cannot the Vis iaertig of this Board of Trade
be moved out of its .propriety?" Cannot
there be found among it's members enough of
the elementspf energy and enterprise to pnr-
chasea few barrels Of naval stores, to be ship
ped toEurope by the Ephesusg s'ssis
Will not the elements of commercial pride be
admitted as a stimulus to stir them up. to
energy and exerton Are they prepared to
farce the truth of the inevitable conclusion
which their inaction is sure to produce In the
minds of other commercial cities? Will not
the Board Of Trade call meeting of it's men,
bers and take immediate steps to prove that
they were in earnest aboutcdirect trade--aud
that il was not naere piekwickian theme
an occasion for the entertainment Of munic-
pal authorities, public and spirited men of en-
terprise from abroad--a subject for feastings,
champagne and rum punch--all very good
things In their place, it is true, and the alb
sence of which, just now, is perhaps to be la
mented, as they might succeed in getting up
a little artificial excitemeh, In the present
emergency.