Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-21


was quite narrow, as the capes of Vir-
ginia were eight miles apart. Then there
was no ice in winter, and no pestilential
diseases, and merchants will fully appre-
ciate the superior advantages of Norfolk
when he tells them that coal could be
purchased cheaper there than at any port
on the Atlantic coast. Another reason
for selecting Norfolk was, that it was
already and was destined to be q great
seaport. When the cotton season was
over with them, then they could ship
tobacco and grain, as the harbor was
open all the year round. Then there
was still another consideration. When
the great continental line was built they
would require to stop at Memphis, and
would they 90 bx way of South Carolina
or Georgia if they we're going from Men,
phis to Liverpool2 for it was well known
they would require to coast around to
the capes of Virginia before they struck
across the ocean. He considered New
Orleans the great rival to Norfolk, but
those of Virginia wished the distractions
in the Mississippi removed and the levees
built. He wanted to know why Govern
ment would not spend money to benefit
those who went down the Mississippi on
hatboats as well as those who went
down to the sea in the great ships2 Mem
phis was entitled to have the ocean high
way at Norfolk, for when tie Southern
Pacific road was built the riches of India
would flow into her lap, and she would
yet rival in grandeur her great namesake
on the banks of the Nile. Loud cheers
He trusted he would be allowed TO
say that they in Virginia we're going
fast ahead in the work of recuperation.
He would advise the people of the other
States to follow their example, and
let politics alone. [Great cheering
He wanted them to 90 about their BUSH
ness, and build up their individual for
tunes, and so obtain power and influence |
in this manner. Revolutions we're useful, |
and all freedom had been gained by |
bloodshed, and the freedom of the African
had been written in the best blood of this
continent loud cheers. Memphis
stood, as it were, on the isothermal line,
so to speak, and was removed, as it were,
from the ice.cold blasts of the North,
while it was far enough away to escape
the pestlential winds and vapors of the
South. Memphis possessed unusual
natural advantages, with mines of coal
and iron, with the priineval forest sur
rounding her, and covering thousands of
acres of virgin soil Cheers. This
was what they had in Tennessee. After
all this explanation be hoped and trusted
they would not defeat the majority report.
1t had been wisely said by an old philoso-
pher that there were three things that
ruled the world--the ballot-box, the cart
ridge-box and the handbook. Loud
laughter TWAS, therefore, great con-
ISOLATION to rebel like him, that while he
could not enjoy the cartridge box. or the
ballot,box, they allowed him to do as be
pleased with the bsndbox. Loud cheers
and laughter
After brief addresses by Mr.. Gaskill,
of Georgia, Col. R j. Morgan, of Mem
phis, and Mr.. Brust, of South Carolina,
Mr.. Lawon said be had the honor in part
to represent Savannah, seaport town of
Georgia. They had come to the Con-
vention on the invitation Of the people
of Memphis to discuss matters for the
public good, especially in regard to the
South and Southwest, but they were not
made aware until to-day that this Con-
yention was ar adjourned one from the
other tive Conventions held in Bristol
and Norfolk, and that the sole use for US
was TO put our. imprimatxr on what had
been done at these places. II this had
been told them before they left bone, few
of them would have taken the journey.
They had supposed that every question
To hos a
might say that so far as Georgia was con-
cerned the delegates had presented no
business of local character, but had
contented themselves voting pro and con
on the general matters as they came up.
His energetic young friend from the hill
country Mayor Hulsey) had insisted on
his addressing theConvention on this mat
ter, and to call attention to the sesports of
Georgia. If one enterprise is COM
mended, is it not proper that other enter
prises should be also pommendedY II he
understood the relations of SOCIAL life, and
was told that some one had something
superior to him in way of enterprise, it
would pat damper on him, especially if
he had devoted lifetime to that enter
prise. They asked nothing for Georgia,
nothing for Savannah, but their efforts in
the past seogld certainly be recognized.
In regard to Savannah, che had q popu-
lation Of 10000 inhabitants on the South
Atlantic coast, and had built all her own
railroads and assisted in others at distant
points. The city has a bar on which
there is seventeen feet of water at low
water, With tidal rise of seven feetj and
last winter, in the port of Savannah, we're
to be seen the Gags of every nation on
the globe who have commerce on the
ocean, Last year 500, 900 bales Of cotton
we're received and ahipped, while the ex-
ports amounted to 100000 All that
they asked was that these things shall not
be ignored. That has been attempted here.
The gallant son Of Virginia cannot 20 J
further than he Mr.. LawtoD) would in
praise Of Virginia and when he could not
do so might bis tongue cleave to the roof
Of bis mouth [Cheers Her young
bat already distinguished son Mr..
lamb could not say more Of her or refer
to more pleasing memories than he Mr..
Lawton) could with bated breath. He
might indulge in these memories with
trembling voice, as he knew well to what
she was entitled and what she has suf-
fered, bpt this was not the time and place,
She vas entitlsd to that Nancy Of gold
would not buy, but they we're not there to
speak of glory, but to deal in what was
practicable. They had been invited
from distant parts to discuss what was
best for the good Of the country, but to
ask them to iuderse that in which they
had nc part vas wrong Cheers. he
could not charge the peop.a Of Memphis
with doing this, and they asked simple