Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-12-04
COM N ERCE.
SUCCESSFUL TRADE THE STRONG
EST LINK IN THE CHAIN OF
RECONSTRUCTION.
NORFOLK---w1LMiNoTON.

NORFOLK---wILMGN
Aa politicians, We may talk as We will about
the reconstruction" OF the Union. aud advocate
th'e measure or oppose that one IS each may be
suggested from time to time, by statesmsn And
lawmakers, both in and out OF Congress-; but
after all, the most certain. most satisfactory and
BY all odds the most directly popular plan Of re-
constructing people so Alisnated from all their
former associations with the North ss the South
ern people have been, and stil are lie to show
shem-not how their political stdtus has been
lost, for that they all feel and know to their sOr
roW-but how their MRRoAsrILE INTERRsTs,
now shattered, destroyed aud bankrupted, may
be restored, vltalEed aud made prosperous, re-
muneratise and stable agaiu.
There is no argument so strong as that OF
self-interest. no logic SO convincing ss the logic
Of the pocket. And when We come to make our
appeals to whole States and communities whose
entire trade and commerce have been swept
away by the terrible soourge Of war around their
very homes and Aresides, we should remember
that, although the follies Of the past may show
In their results lessons Of political wisdom still.
without the stimulus OF commercial recuperAtion
rendered them-not meroeDarily, but through
the legitimate and honorable channels Of trade
the Southern people will not be able to realize,
to any controlling extent. the advantages Of
purely political reconstruction, which thus far
they have not fallen very deeply 10 love with
By these remarks, we do not wish to be under
stood as intimating that tue work Of recon.
struclou, as begun by Congress, should be
abandoned or modified by any toning down pro-
GEES By no means. But while the National
Legislature Is progressing in it's purpose OF
harmony and reconciliation, in pursuance Of its
powers and duties, We would have the great
mercantile interest Of the country, and partcu-
larly Of the North, stretch out its athletic arm
and assist In the work Of developing, Welding
and blending the great avenues Of trade and
eommercs BY the connecting links Of the iron
rail and the mighty stretch Of wAtsrs--bsys,
rivers and canals--betwsen the several sections
Of the Union, SO that. while the material pros-
psrity of the whole people is being developed,
enlarged and secured by the thrift Of Wealth.re-
Warding industry, the prejudices, asperitiss of
feeling and aniposities Of the past will melt
away uupsrceivsd. and be swallowed up 10 the
kindlisr influences Of a vast, universal com
meroial prosperity.
The business msn Of the nation owe this duty
Of progressive enterprise to the country, them
selves and posterity By lie operations, political
reconstruction will steal noiselsssly into the
heart Of the intelligent South, aud the Republic
will start forward upon a march Of grandeur and
power hitherto unknOHn among the nations of
the world.
Commercial enterprises, therefore, however
small they may seem In their beginnings, msy
tend to results Of vast magnitude. The recent
excursion Of the authorities and q number Of
the business men Of Wilmington to Norfolk, last
week, gives evidence Of this fact. The object
of that visit was to inaugurate the opening Of
a new channel Of trade between New York and
Norfolk by way Of the penusulsr and boy line,
that would shorten the distance by several hours
and many miles between the North and South
The Importance which attaches to the Rd-
Vantages Of that closer drawn and irmer .conect.
!
be inferred from the svidity, cordislity and
hospitality with which the authorities and peo.
pie Of Norfolk received their visitOFs not less
than by the tone and character Of the remarks Of
the several prominent gentlemen Of that section
who spoke upon the occasion.
We gave, 10 our last issue, brief outline Of
the trip to and from this city therefore, omit
ting repetition Of that part here, We will give
the substance Of the remarks Of the several
gentlemen who, Viewing the occasion as one Of
more than ordinary commercial Significance,
gave 1t their most cordial support and counte.
nance, as the precursor Of a new era Of pro-
gress and prosperity to the industrial, mercsn.
tile and agricultural interests Of Virginia.
As previously stated, the excursion party was
received on the boat by Mayor LUDLOW. Never
did we listen to words that seemed to be more
earnest, or come more directly from the heart.
Warmly graspug the hand Of Mayor Valentine
be eaid:
Mr. Mayor and Geatlemea.
II is my pleasure 40 Mayor Of this city, on
behalf Of it's Councils and its citizens, to extend
to you the hospitalities Of this city
While DOING 30, gentlemen, let me assure you
that it is not with the mere words Of the mouth.
but il is with the ki dest and Warmest feelings
Of the heart. To-day Virginia extends the right
hand Of fellowship to her Northern brethren. =
1t is true, my friends, for the last four years,
that the heavens were blaokened, and the long
aud loud blast Of the artillery warned US that
strife was in the land but thanks be to GOD,
the clouds that Obscured the horizon are fast
passing away, and to-day We meet as friends
and brothers. We hope the day Is not far dis
tant when the iron rail which shall traverse our
besptiful and beloved State will cement the
bands Of fraternal friendship.
To-day We celebrate the commencement Of
this grand event, which will make 20 happy
and o prosperous people; allow me, gentlemen,
to wish you God speed in this new enterprise
and with free exchange Of sentiment, may
this social gathering be the msans Of inaugural.
log new era in our city; and let US To-day
build an altar, where We will deposit all unkind
feelings, and be once more happy and united
that our people shall be your people. and our
God your Ged.
Having concluded the responses and esre
monies elieited BY these remarks. and the heart.
, applause which greeted them, tue company pro
{ ceeded to the opera bouse-the procession NOV
D Ing In sections of four, aud extending consider
/ able distance In lenglh-WheEe other imporlan
} speeches were made, the first Of which wns b.