The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-08-06
PORTLAND.
Commercial GonyeatIOn-FulI Pro-
ceedings.

PORTLAND, Me-, August 5.-The
Commercial Convention was called to
order at 105 o'clock. Hon. Era stus
Brooks, of New York, vas invited to
address the Convention. He compli-
mented Portland, his native city, and
spoke of the mortifying fact that fifty
foreign steamers trade with New York
and not one American. He thought
the repeal of the reciprocity treaty
was the spirit of retaliation, and inju-
dicious, and he would be glad to have
another made He wished that yes
sells of war on the lakes might be
taken off, and commerce between the
two people together True recipro-
city was really according to the golden
rule, and it governed by that, the
West and East would not be
jealous of New York The action of
the Federal government had stripped
New York of her steam commerce,
but sheis not jealous Of other sections.
Inland commerce is four times rs val
liable as foreign commerce, and de-
mands protection as we'll. No one
doubts the power of Congress to build
light houses. en-. the coast, yet men
hesitate as to IFS power to improve
the navigation of our mighty rivers
As a New Yorker, he would gladly
hail the day when railroads should be
completed from Halifax to the West.
Mr.. Pringie, Of Michigan, from the
Com nittee on Reciprocal Commercial
Relations between the United States
and the Provinces, made a report set
ting forth the advantages of recip-
rocity. Politically, neither side has
reason to object. Labor would be
mutually united. Ten years trial had
doubled commerce, and since its abate-
meDt it had shruBk to nearly the
old limits. Taxation in the States
can be so reduced that all differences
can be settled. AS to the question of
grain and cattle, the advantage OF cli-
mate is really In favor OF the States.
The Canadian objections that the
United States wish annexation arc fu-
tile, as no reasonable body of men in
the States seek it, except it is desired
by the Canadians themselves.
The Committee presented resolu-
| tons, which were adopted, calling
the early attentiOn of Congress to the
subject of free intercourse with the
| Dominion of Canada; that no time
| should be lost. Congress is strongly
| urged to appoint a commission to
| frame a commercial alliance or zol-
verein.
Senator Corbett, from the Commit
| tee on Railroads Across the Conti-
| nent, reported resolutions to the ef-
| feet that the Convention is profoundly
! impressed with important changes
about to take place in the commercial
relations, by the completion OF the
great trans continental railroads. The
interest excited among Oriental ma
| tiOns, and the desire expressed by
| them TO cultivate commercial rela-
tions with the United States, renders
it our duty to complete those enter
prises and meet them; that In the
| judgment of this Convention two
| great continental railways, one north
and one south of the great central
route are needed; that this Conven-
tlon respectfully urge upon Congress
the patriotic duty Of rendering ade-
| quate aid to insure the completion
| of these two routes; that the
route to Punget Sound, affording
thes shortest route to Asia promises
advantages to the entire country; that
the projected railway on the thirty
fifth parallel of latitude is of no les S
importance; that the Convention re-
commend the completion of the line
from Portland to the West to connect
! with the Pacific and Atlantic Road
as the shortest route, as we'll as con-
Meeting the lands By the shortest way
with the Atlantic.
An invitation was received from
the Committee of Arrangements for
the members of the Convention to
take a sail down the Bay in the steamer
John Brooks TINS afternoon.
1t was accepted, and the thanks
of the Convention was returned
| Hon. Amasa Walker, Of Mass, ad
dressed the Convention on the evils
of deprecated currency.
Mr.. Cain, of Rutland, urged imme-
i diate action of the Convention on the
business on hand and the importance
OF an evening session.
Judge Rice, of Augusta, urged the
importance OF hearing the oninion of
the distinguished men PR - and
called out Mr.. b air, of Missoar who
congratulated the Convention on the
reports OF the committee made this
morning. lie wished the discussion
of pollucal questions might he left
out. The Convention had met to dis
cuss the Trans Continental Railwav
He discussed the great importance 9f
the Northern and Southern routes.