Year: 1869

The National Commercial Convention met


at Louisville, Kentucky, October 10Th, and was


attended by delegates or representatives from


nearly every State in the Union, and out of it.


Ex-President Fillmore, by an unanimous vote,


was called upon to preside over their delibera-


tions, and was greeted with tumultuous ap-


plause upon taking the Chair. Mr.. Fillmore


returned his thanks for the honor conferred,


and addressed the assembled delegates IN a


short speech, well-timed and appropriate, and


after the appointment of the usual Committees,


the Convention adjourned until the next day.
Notwithstanding the conflicting interests rep


resented in the Convention, and little acri-
monious feeling generated, which could but be
expected in Convention representing all sec
tlons of our country the proceedings were con-
Quoted with great deal of harmony, and we
hope may result in great good to our country
The 32d parallel was adopted as the line for the
Southern Pacific Railroad, by an overwhelm-
ing majority, and in our humble opinion it is q
wise selection, for reasons too vOluminous to
mention at present. The Convention also re-
commended the repeal of the cotton tax and
of the uaequal taxation of Southern lands, and
also the speedy construction of railroad from
the Lakes to the Northern Pacific Ocean, as
contemplated by the survey of the Northern
Pacific Railroad. They also adopted memo
rials to Congress recommending the construc-
ton and completion of n continuous water line
between the Mississippi and the Atlantic sea-
board, by connection OF Lake Michigan with
the waters of the Upper Mississippi, and the
completion of water line by the construction
of canal of sufficient proportions from the
mouth of the Ohio river to Hampton Roads.
The latter we consider the most important line
of water communication between the Missis-
sipp and the Atlantic coast, as it will not be
closed so long during the winter months as the
line proposed in a more Northern latitude, con,
meeting the Upper Mississippi with Lake Mich
gan. They also memorialzed Congress on the
question of rebuilding the levees on the Lower
Mississippi, taking the broad ground that that
river was great national highway upon whose
bosom floated the trade of half n continent,
md its encroachments on the rich, alluvial re-
,ions in the South, by its annual overflow, rem
sst land in our country, which, by the fostering
md protecting care of the Government, could
DC easily reclaimed and would produce an un-
old addition to the agricultural products of
,ur country


The Convention was composed of sound and
,lear-headed business men from all parts of the
II its complexion, but their deliberations were
conducted upon the principle of considering


md recommending such measures of national
Importance and of public good as the business


nd commerce aud prosperity of our common
ountry demanded. We hope their labors
nay be productive of lasting good and benefit
o the whole country; that their recommends
ions may be fully considered by the next Con-
rcss and CARRIED into effect


In this connection we would observe that if
congress should pay more attention to the in.
erests of the country-to the development of
ur resources-by fostering and encouraging
ur commercial and agricultural advantages,
hey would be rendering more substantial ben
fits to our country than in wrangling and
over the so-called reconstruction of
ne Southern States, and forcing negro suffrage
nd political and social equality of all races
pom an unwilling people. t