The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-04-14
CH A ES T ON.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, APRIL IA, 1860.
The Mompn,s Com mercial Convention

This Convention, of which we have al
ready spoken, will assemble in Memphis on
Tuesday, the 18th day of May next, the day
designated by the Chamber of Commerce
of the city. One of the objects of the con-
vention, as set forth in the circular announc-
ing its meeting, is to secure the cordial and
active CO operation of the people Of the
Ohio and Mississippi valleys in the effort
to build up direct trade with Europe through
South Atlantic seaports; not in spirit of
opposition to North Atlantic cities, but in
that of generous rivalry which will ce-
ment all portions of the Union through the
kindly influences of mutual interests and q
general prosperity. Another object is to
discuss the necessity for railroad from
the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean,
over route unobstructed all the year. A
third may be that of leveeing the Missis-
sippi, so as to save from inundation, and
bring into speedy cultotion, the most pro-
ductive cotton lands in the world. A fourth,
the subject of immigration.
To facilitate the deliberations of the con-
vention the committee of the Memphis
Chamber of Commerce suggso- the follow
ing ratio of representation
That the Governor of each State and
Territory will appoint delegation, not e1-
cccding ten for the State at large and one
for each Congressional district.
That each city or town will appoint but
two delegates for population under FIVE
thousand, and one for each additional ten
thousand.
That each incorporated railroad. steam
boat, manufacturing or mining company,
will appoint but two delegates.
That each Chamber of Commerce or Board
of Trade will appoint but one delegate for
every -"e hundred members or fractional
hundred
Every one appointed or specially invited,
is requested to notify the committee if he
can attend, and take with him some form
eff credentisl as delegate.
The objects of the convention are most
important TO this city and State. In the
effort to build up direct trade with Europe,
in the construction of Southern Pacific
Railroad, and in the subject of immigration,
we are deeply interested; and it is not to be
expected that, whatever our natural advan-
tsges, we can be represented by others as we'll
as by those who know what we are, what we
have done ard what we mean to do. In
every Southern convention Charleston and
South Carolina should be represented, and
while we think that the scale of represen-
tatiou suggested by the Memphis committee
is likely to make the delegations too large
and unwieldly, we have no doubt whatever
as to the propriety Of sending strong del
egation. And if in this connection it be
permitted to make suggestion as to the
character Of delegates to be chosen, we
would urge that gentlemen be selected who
are familiar with the railroad and mari
time systems of South Carolina, who kaow
what our strength is and where our weakness
lies, and who will make themselves heard
upon every topic connected with the COM
merce, agriculture and manufactures Of the
South. AS much, we believe, depends upon
the ability of our advocates, as upon the
strength of their cause and ours.