The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-01
SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE.
Mr. Randall Urges n Change In our Conn
mereinl Policy.

mereinI Policy.
IN. Y. World.l
WASHINGTON, May 25.-Ex-Speaker
Randall has recently addressed The fol-
lowing letter to the leading citizens OF
galveston, Texas, in reply to an invita-
ton to visit them. It contains some
Important comments on the commercial
interests OF the United States and their
relations to the Central and South
American States
PHILADELPHIA, May 21, 1877.
Gentteme,,--Your invitation to me to
visit Galveston was received.
Accept my sincere Acknowledgement
for the honor conferred.
/ have delayed my reply until could
know the purposes of the President in
connection with the calling Of the extra
session OF the Forty-fifth Congress. Ig
he had adhered to bis purpose and
called 1t for the fourth day oil June.
then 1t was my Wish fn visit yoar city
during the month OF October. Political
considerations and necessities have in
duced him to change his original inten-
ton and delay such call until the fff-
teenth day of October Under these
circumstances, / cannot now name g.
probable time when | can be In your
city. [ had promised myself the pleas
ure and instruction Of seeing your citi-
zens and to learn directly from them
the needs Of your section.
The time has come, in my opinion.
when the policy Of the government
should be to enlarge our trade relations
with Mexico and with the Central and
South American States.
It is well for ws to study the statistics
of the trade between these countries and
the markets OF the world, from which
we find that the people OF the United
States are not receiving due share OF
the commerce Of the countries I have
named.
We need more favorable commercial
relations and more comprehensive trade
connections with other nations. Let me
cite few figures to prove the truthful
moss OF my assertion.
The public documents show the for
eign commerce of the countries living
south OF the United States on the
American continent to be about $780,
100000 Our share Of this amount is
about $4,000, 900, of which only about
$37 100000 is transported In American
vessels and under the American flag.
Such statement should at once arouse
our people from their lethargy.
The war stimulated the manufactur-
ing facilities OF the North enormously.
and only by the adoption Of such policy
can we Keepup the ACTIVITY OF our manu-
featuring districts and secure market
for our products.
It is q discredit to our enlightenment
that we, as q people. stand quietly by
and do not make sufficient endeavor to
increase our meagre share OF this i'm
portant trade.
When the extended policy to which I
have referred is inaugurated, as it must
and will be, then will your city, your
State and the entire coast of the Gulf
receive the advantages which nature
has bespoken for them.
I do not decline your hospitality, but
must defer naming time for my visit
until after Congress has organized and
adjourned. / am none the less, how
ever, obliged for your proffered civilities.
Permit me, In conclusion, to thank
you all most sincerely for your emphatic
approval OF my cours1 as Speaker dur
ing the trying days OF the last session Of
the Forty-fourth Congress.
Your most obedient servant,
SAMUEL J. RANDALL.
To Robert G.. Street. Il. Charles Hume, Hon.
A. II. Willie james Osbourt.e, g. b. Sabin
and other citizens Of Galveston, Texas