The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-05-25

COmmerclal COnVentlOnS---RlChm
We commented Il few days since upon the
absurdity Of mullitudinous conventions fol
the purposes Of delibcration OH great qucs-
tons of policy. We have seen Il great mum.
Der Of slch conventions, and really we can-
not see that they ever did any good. There
have been commercial conventions in almost
every southern town of note. They have
published addresses that were lengthy and
ably written, they have adopted innumcra-
bic resolutions breathing the spirit of deter
mination and of ardent devotion to the pub
lie welfare; but we have never seen that
they had any good or permanent effect.
Like boulders hcaved into Il deep and placid
sea, they caused momentary agitation, but
soon all was again H. smooth and silent a.
though the surface had never been dis
turbed.
Conventions. defamation, and resolutions,
will never interrupt the course Of trade MOI
reverse the order of commercial systems.
They are governed by laws which are be-.
yond the reach Of such reformation. In the
last forty years this fact has been clearly
maintained. Trade has gone on after 1t
own fashion. The North has been the
manufacturing section of the nation, New
York has been the great settling point, and
the south has been the producer of the sta
pies which offset our foreign debt. All the
tine-spun theories about direct trade have
been Just so much reflection and Labor
thrown away. The results were barren
No direct trade--no buying everything al
the South-no manufacturing evcrythin & AT
home J" on the contrary, quite therevcrse."
Nor will it ever be otherwise SO far II,
conventions can effect change. We must
look to other agencies. Resolutions don't
build railroads." said the late General HAIR,
VIE. They do very little that's practical
The opening OF channels of communication
with great sources Of production and tn,
building up Of great commerce are the
work OF years, and often of ages. For sue.
cess in these grand objects there must be
the steady and slow increase of wealth by
communities enjoying considerable natural
advantages to begin with, and whose
public affairs as we'll as private enter
prlses are conducted with marked sa-
Sacity, industry, and economy. They
must be harmonious on the subjects OF
general interest and cooperative in promo
ting the aggregate wealth by each man
striving with all his talent and energy to
promote his own. Such community ac-
quircs not only great means, but extensive
credit before the world. AS it advances in
growth and power its views are expanded
In proportion rs it acquires means, it,
schemes for their employment are enlarged
Ana by the united eXcrtions Of such n com
munlty, guided by the controlling minds
mat Providence always gives them, Won
ucrS are achieved i'll the way of opening new
ways Tor trade and multiplying commerce
and wealth.
H"ch community will do more than q
hundred conventions, with their addresses
anu resolutions, towards advancing com.
me- anu every branch of industry. just
Deioie 'he war began this city had, by thc
,'ose ae'ollon 10 business of its quiet NOM
ia'ioh, acquired much wealth, and berun II
slietch forth Its arms to greater enterprises
III was gradually extending its lines of trade
westward, and it was adding largely to if.
maritime commerce. 1t had some forty YES
sels, OF beautiful construction and large ca
pacity, engaged in the coasting and foreign
trade. Thirteen Of them were steadily en-.
gagged in the Rio trade, and we had pros
pect of controlling the coffee trade. or NJ
least of supplying the West and southwest
with that article. Such was the rapid nd
vance Of this city through the unaided enter