New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-10-02
TIE C1NCINHAr1 CONVENTION.


year. 1t is to be representative body,
assembled something like q congress, al
which such questions as affect the ma
terial interests Of the South and West
directly, and in a general way the entire
Union, will be considered. Last year the
convention was honored by the attend
ance Of some of the soundest men in the
South. We can not say what the mental
caIbre of the present body will be, but it
is to be hoped that it will equal, if it does
not excel, its predecessor. 1t is desirable
that the same calm and dispassionate
counsels shall prevail this year that
did last year, and the convention
will treat the important subjects which
will come before it just as its predecessor
treated the questions that came before It,
Political issues were rigidly excluded.
The convention decided that it had moth
ing to do with parties, but was only COM
missioned to treat of measures. Il pro-
posed action on specific matters and left
it to the good sense Of both parties to
unite in the accomplishment of what it
recommended. 1t discarded all reference
to individuals in order that all men might
accept its propositions according to their
Judgment. No jealousy was created. The
Democrat and the Republican met on a
common platform to suggest measures OF
advancement for the South, and having
agreed Oh what was desirable, they went
their common ways, divided on many sub
iects, but united on the material projects
advanced and supported by the con-
vention
Various measures will come before the
Cincinnati convention, bat the leading
topics to be considered are officially an
nounced in the following programme, pub
lished by order of the committee:
|. Direct trade between Southern Allan
tic cities and Europe.
2. Southern Pacific Railroad.
3. Obstruction to navigation by narrow
span bridge piers.
4. Continuous water line communication
between the Mississippi river and the At
lantic seaboard.
s. Removal of obstructions from the mouth
Of the Mississippi river.
t. Construction of permanent levees on
the Mississippi river.
7. To abolish all toll charges over the
navigable rivers of the United States.
g. The enlargement of the more important
lines of canal in the United States, so ss TO
render them navigable for vessels propelled
by steam.
9. Finance and taxation.
10. Free trade i'll money.
IL. A settled policy in the public interest
in regard to the disposition OF the govern
ment lands.
H. That all railway viaducts over naviga-
bic rivers be made highways for railroad
companies, which will pay their pro rata
toll ON the same, and that efforts be made
to secure legislation to that effect.
ID. The charges ON passengers and freight
traffic by rail and water lines.
II. To abolish throughout the whole conn
try all license imposed on commercial tray
clers.
u.s. Removal Of the National CAPITAL.
Of these propositions We consider that
the Louisiana delegation, which is adj
mitted to be both able and earnest, will
be specially required to understand and
explain our interest in the first, second,
fifth, sixth, ninth, tenth and thirteenth
items. Our direct trade with Europe is
of positive importance to New Orleans.
With the sea almost at our doors, there
is no reason why our own merchants, not
to speak of the smaller traders that carry
on business in the Gulf States, should go
to New York for their French, German
Or English goods.
1t is admitted that the Southern Pacific
railroad is q necessity, and that the South
is Justly entitled to the sGme aid from the
general government, in it's construction,
that the Northern road received.
The removal of Instructions at the
mouth Of the Mississippi, and the con-
struction of protection levee on the
same river, are works of national interest,
because the entire country is to be bene-
flied by their success. One-half, at least,
of the States of the Union use the river,
and depend upon its productions for their
wealth.
Perhaps the matter of finances and tax
alton can not be touched upon by our
delegates without provoking some politi-
cal sentiments that will be unpleasant.
And in the matter of free trade in money,
the same reason will probably operate to
cut short debate. The more important
question of the levee and railroad should
not be jeopardied by the introduction OF
subjects which are calculated to arouse
the enmity of any great opposing inter-
ests. The two political parties are angrily
discussing the merits of our rival financial
policies, and, as the judgment Of the con-
vention will only provoke the hostility of
one side or the other, it would be unwise
in body representing commercial inter
ests, and containing representatives OF
both systems, to attempt decision in
the matter of either finance or taxation.
And as the national bank interest is OPP
posed to free trade in money, it would
seem to be inopportune for the convention
to leopard great improvements by pro-
voking the hostility OF such a powerful
| interest.
On the thirteenth and fifteenth items
the sentiment of the South is united, and
while it may do no harm to consider
them, it ought to be done with a due rel
| card To tha interests nt stake Oilr rail-