The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-10-15
THURSDAY. OCTOBER Is, 1868.
Norfolk Commercial Convention.
LARGE ATTENDANCE OF DELEGATES.
Opening Address of Colonel Lamb.
Address of the President.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Special telegram to the Dispatch.

Norfolk and the surrounding country. The
city is crowded to neutrality-suspicious.
residences, boarding houses, and hotels
with delegates from Eastern and Western
Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and
Kentucky, besides many persons from
other parts of the country representing in
telligence and capital. The citizens Of Nor
folk have opened wide their doors to give
the strangers cordial welcome.
At about noon over two thousand dele
gates marched in body, preceded by a
band of music, to the Opera House,
where the Convention was called to order
By Colonel William Lamb, ex-Mayor Of
this city.
OPENING ADDRESS.
After prayer by Rev. E. G. Lindsey, of
the Granby-street Methodist church, Colo
mel Lamb delivered spirited address, ex-
tending hearty welcome to the delegates
on behalf of the city. It was especially
gratifying, said he, in the midst Of the
great and exciting political occurrences of
the day to see, 80 much of the wealth and
true nobility of the South assembled to con-
slider ON object of SO much Importance to
the States represented. These States need
nothing but enterprise, persevering effort,
to make them what they should have been
long ago-the wealthiest part of the world.
The interest displayed in this Convention
would indicate that the people are fully
aroused to this necessity, and that our vast
resources are at last about to be developed.
Norfolk, before the first Revolution, was
one of the richest seaports on the western
hemisphere. The prostration which fol-
lowed that event, and the diversion of
southern interests from commerce to agri-
culture, retarded her progress, and the
North became the commercial section. Now,
in this new era, when southern products
would seek southern ports for expectation,
Norfolk must regain her former position.
and 90 far beyond. She would be made
the gateway through which the great coun-
tries of Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc.,
would establish o direct trade with the
wealthy markets of Europe.
He predicted the most brilliant results
from the action Of this Convention, and
hoped that the members would return home
with the pleasant consciousness OF having
accom- plished something towards the resto-
ration of the country to its former pros
perity.
ORGANIZATION.
Judge Mckinney, of Knoxville, was
then made temporary chairman, and Colo
mel W. H. Taylor, of Norfolk (late OF Cen
eral Lees staff, appointed secretary. A
committee, consisting of the chairmen OF
delegations, was appointed to report plan
for permanent organization. During their
absence speeches were made by hon. Mr..
Clapp, Of Tennessee; Colonel Goode, of
Norfolk; Hon. Waller r. Staples, of Vir-
ginia and Major l.. s. Marye, of Mem
phis. These speakers briefly explained the
objects of the Convention, and urged the
importance of carrying them out, appeal
ing to delegates to cast aside all local and
political prejudices and settle upon prac-
tical plan of action for the good Of the
whole country. .
The committee on their return reported
in favor of President, three Vice-Presi-
dents from each State, two Secretaries from
Virginia and one from each other State re-
presented.
This plan being agreed to, Colonel George
W. Boiling, of Petersburg, was nominated
and chosen President.
Vice Presidents s.-Peter c. Johnson, A.
D. Dickinson, and David J. Brown, of Vir-
ginia P. c. Nelson, A. J. Mckinney, and
L. S. Marye, of Tennessee Colonel Il. A.
Gillian, D. 8. Hill, and seaton Gales, of
North Carolina Colonel Bush, William P.
Howle, and C. P. Rudd, of Kentucky.
,Secretaries.-R. II. Glass and R. W.
Hughes, of Virginia; W. J. Ramage, of
Tennessee; P. E. Hill, of North Carolina
Oliver Lucas, of Kentucky.
COLONEL BoLLING's SPEECH.
Colonel Boiling, on taking the chair, after
referring to the unexpected honor conferred
upon him, expressed his pride at being
chosen to preside over such body. The
objects of the Convention had already been
fully explained. There was prize within
the reach of our people, end it war for this
Convention to take the first step towards
obtaining it. By their action they could
direct trade upon which would
denend the close connection of Norfolk, on
the Atlantic coast, with the country watered
nv the great Mississippi-the vast granary
Of the world. BY estimation, 1000, 900 of
toms of its produce annually sought an east
orn m arket before the war ;; but though in
oor rnec,ion with the 10000, 900 miles of ma
u;aable water, the many miles of canal and
railway of the northeast and Canada, only
: ooo 600 could find an outlet. By estab-
l;sb;np connection direct between the
Cbesapeake and Mississippi a prize would
he in our reach worthy Of the exercise OF
the best talent and energy, and to excite
the warmest emotions Of the most paifio.iS
hearts. If good Judgment governed TINS
Convention in its deliberations there was
in store for the South renewal OF the
plories Of the past, and prosperity Tor tne
future far beyond the brightest antlclpa-
.;ona of m1r most sanguine citizens.