The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-13
,c,r,osno,dcnce Of The Richmond Dispa,ch.I

news. but which, I trust, may have enough
;n,erpst TO invite him 10 their perusai.
They relate to the route took from kich-
mond TO New Orleans. TO the proceedings
NJ the Commercial Convention which met
in that city on the Sd OF December, TO tue
nbvsicol and political character OF the con-
ss;iera.ions touching the mighty Mississippi
valley. and TO the grand Crescent City,
whose varied life has elected alike the ma
t;onal admiration and heartfelt sympathy
by turns.
THE CONVENTION.
Tho Convention OF the Sd OF December
was temporarily organized by the appoint
mont NJ Mr.. +. D. Holton, OF Wisconsin,
&C chairman. 1t was to me an interesting
cycnt tbat introduced to the Convention
gentleman from WiSconsin-the EXTREMIST
western portion OF that grand gift OF Viz
gina OF hel then northwestern territory
10 the United Statcs-and L felt tnat ne
was near and dear relation. his man
ner was 20 frank and decorous leit a
sort OF pride OF nativity IN him. Ills
address was genial, warm, and ready rs
though it indeed fell from the lips OF Vlr-
cinian. Il was replete with pleasant touches
and bounding in public enthusiasm. Mr..
Holton lives near Lake Michigan, and yet
the Mississippi is sufficiently close 10 his
home 10 Undue his spirit with the grand in
spirationS which are cngendcrcd by the phv-
steal and political influences that live and Diff
fuse themselves in that supreme region OF
country. | acknowledge myself captivated
by this cousin Nirginian, and shook his hand
pathct,cally. ii may say 50, ut parting with
him. He seemed so loyal 10 the grandeSt
naliOnali,es and so liberal and fair. lie
was in The front on all the issues relating to
the development OF the immense power that
lies midway between the two great oceans,
and which is destined 10 rise supreme and
hold together the eastern and western wings
OF the nation under a dominion, just and
imDartiaI. that will be happy transition
from tha! oppression and rutblessncss
which. under conspiracy Of events, has
temporarily Swayed the nation.
GovERHng NICHoLLS'S WELCOME.
Governor Nichols welcomed the Conyen-
ton, and Mr.. Murray, OF Kentucky, APP
propriatey responded. The Governor was
hailed with applause that echoed far and
wide. lie was known TO very many for his
heroic war record. and his conduct rs Gov
ernor commanded the unanimous approval
and admiration OF all.
GENERAL LEE PERMANENT PRESIDENT.
The Convention opening under favorable
auspices, with the appearances OF harmony
and good feeling never equalled in any con-
yeut;on ever before saw, its next step was
one cminenly agreeable to Virginians, and
manifested the generous spirit OF other
States, particularly those OF the Northwest.
In the Committee upon Permanent Organi-
cation the name OF General Fitzhugh Lee
was brought forward by the Northwest,
and was sustained heartily by the West.
Without debate, and without another name
being mentioned, he was chosen unanimous
", and upon the presentation OF the report
OF the committee his name was received
with dcafening applause, and he was unani-
mously elected permanent chairman.
THE SPIRIT OF TIRE CONVENTION.
/ am not undertaking to report proceed
ingS, but only to report feelings and mani
feslations. l do not mean 10 give con-
nected account OF what was done, but only
10 present The salient points OF the spirit OF
n Convention which l look upon as lmpor-
tant for the influence it will surely exert
upon the public sentiment Of the nation
and upon the future OF the great Mississippi
Valley.
General Lee, upon taking the chair. made
one OF his spirited addresses, so full OF ardor
and public devotion, and increasing the
"
honoring the State he in part represented.
Upon the organization OF the Convention it
proceeded 10 business, and soon carved out
the important work which it had assembled
10 consider.
TIE BUSINESS OF THE CONVENTION.
The three leading subjects were: The
Mississippi leyeeS, the TeXas-Pacific rail-
way. and the extension OF our foreign COM
ia N hn
matter OF foreign commerce was the estab-
lishment Of a subsidized line of steamers for
mail service between New York, New Or
leans, and Galveston and Brazil. Able
committees were appointed upon each sub
icct, and they were reported on and under
discussion very promptly.
TIE MISSISSIPPI LErEEs.
The first subject much debated in open
Convention was the question OF the levees.
In committee, OF which that exemplary
gentleman Judge Underwood, Of Ken
lucky. was chairman, there was some con-
tlar!@ty Of opinion that was soon harmon
lzad, and unanimous report was made in
fdvUr OF the improvement OF the Missis-
SlpEi and It's tributaries $50 as to furnish
communication between all their ports and
with foreign nations"; and Furthermore,
by such Improvement of the river banks as
is needed to protect the population residing
upon them from injury by floods. The
General Government was called upon to
make the appropriations needed for these
objects. In the committee and in the Con-
Tention the earnest and unanimous opinion
was that the Federal Government was
bound by every consideration to do this.
No man raised Il question upon the subject.
EX-PRssIDENT DAVIS WANTS THE SURPLUS
WATERS CARRIED OFF BY A DRAIN.
During the discussion President Jeffer-
son DAVIS rose TO speak. The applause at
his appearance was general, and he was in
vted to the platform. He walked up with
steady and elastic step, and took his posi-
ton as erect and as actively as a man Of
greatly younger years might have been en-
pccted 10 do. He spoke in clear and de-
liberate style, combining himself 10 the sub
lect, and showing great ardor for the I'M
provement Of the Mississippi.
THE DRAIN BY THE REAR.
But Mr. Davis having an idea that the
raising OF the levees OF the Mississippi was
not tue best and safest mode OF improving
the river 10 promote the security OF nayi-
CATION or OF tiilage, he exploited his view,
which was that the establishment Of some
mode OF relieving the great river OF its sur
plus By drain running out from some
point high up towards st. Louis, and
taking its way west OF the river to the Gulf.
This was therefore not opposing the appro-
9riation Of money by the Federal Govern
nent to the Mississippi, hut only advising
The mode OF its appropriation.
itfhe attention paid to Mr.. Davis was re-
sspectiul, and gracefully acknowledged by
nun. 1t was soon quite apparent, however,