Year: 1878




For the Promotion of American Gem


merce.


The municipal authorities, the commercial
and the agricultural organizations of the city
Of New Orleans with a.view Of advancing the
material interests of our country, have de-
cided to issue call for an Interstate and In
ternationaI convention for the promotion Of
American commerce. The third day Of De-
cember next has been agreed upon as that on
which the convention will assemble In this
city.


A committee of forty has been empowered
to make all necessary arrangements and the
undersigned have been appointed sub-com-
mittee to prepare an address setting forth in
concise terms the object Of the convention,
and to invite the various State and municipal
authorities and commercial organizations
who favor it's objects, to appoint delegates to
said convention.


The object of the convention is to adopt
such other measures as may be best calCu-
lated to increase and extend American com
merce and to obtain from Congress such
legislation as may be necessary to that end.


The narrow limits to which this address
must of necessity be restricted, preclude any
thing more than brief reference to few Inn
Dortant facts.


Though we possess an internal commerce
estimated at over $2,50O,0OO,00O, an amount
probably in excess Of that Of any other coun-
try, our foreign trade compares unfavOrably
with that Of most European nations, being
scarcely more than One-sixth as large as the
foreign trade of Great Britain. To trace the
causes of this extraordinary fact, and to pro-
mote the extension of our foreign commerce.
should enlist the hearty cooperation of every
well-wisher of his country.


Whilst our primary object Is naturally the
advancement Of our own interests, we do not
hesitate to invite the cooperation of for
eigners for the reason that the extension OF
American commerce does not necessarily i'm
ply curtailment of their own, but quite the
reverse. We cannot hope to extend our trade
for our sole benefit, for unless other countries
be benefited thereby, they will cease to trade
with us. The present dullnesS of trade and
general depression is attributed by some to
Over-prOduCtion by our farms and factories; ;
this is q fallaCy; there can be no prominent
over-prOduCtion, for the wants Of mankind
can never be fully supplied. The true cause
of the depression Is the lack Of proper fa-
Gilities for reaching new markets for our pro-
ducts


The consumers exist, but we must seek
them out, and must be prepared to take in re-
turn their surplus productions. There Is
community of interest between all engaged
in trade, however diverse or antagOnstic
their interest may appear to casual obser-
ver there must, Of necessity, be a reciprocal
benefit or there can be no commercial inter-
course. The increase and extension of our
foreign commerce implies q corresponding in
crease Of the trade of the countries with
which we deal; it is therefore only reasona-
BILE and proper that we should invite them to
confer with us as to the best means of pro-
noting the general good.


We will close this address with brief refer
ence to three special matters which merit the
careful consideration of the convention. They
are:


/. The improvement of the navigation of
the Mississippi river and its tributaries which
can only be accomplished by some well de-
vised plan for the deepening of their channels
and the confinement of their waters at all
times within their banks. This is work that
can only be undertaken by the government OF
the United States, and when 1t is considered
that this river and it's tributaries are the
natural outlets of a district of country pro
ducng 10000 100000 bushels OF grain, vast
quantities Of iron, coal, lumber and other
bulky products and manufactures requiring
cheap transportation, it is not unreasonable
to ask for prompt and energetic action on the
part Of the government.


2. The necessity of Southern Pacific
railroad has occupied the attention and re-
ceived the support Of many of our ablest
statesmen, and it's Importance iS fully appre-
cated by our whole people. Our government
should be urged to grant such aid as Will In
sure it's speedy completion, upon such terms
and conditions as will protect the government
against pecuniary loss.


3. Our commerce with the West India
islands, Mexico and South America should
be promoted by the granting of liberal COM
pensation to steamship lines for carrying the
mails. These countries are our natural GUS
toners. Their productions are such as are
largely consumed by us, and they are in turn
large consumers of the products OF our farms
and factories, and yet for the want of proper
steam communication with them, the great
bulk Of their traffic is with European nations
It is a curious fact that the proportion Of our
commerce with each of them can be gauged
with remarkable accuracy by the proportion
of steam tonnage we furnish.


Cheap transportation is an important ele'
ment of commerce, and we trust the railway
steamboat and shipping interests will befully
! represented.


| In conclusion, the undersigned trust that
the invitations issued will receive a cordial
response from all who favor its objects by
the appointment Of delegates to attend the
convention.


! John B. Latitte, VIM. @. Black,


Sam'l H. Kennedy, Edward A. Palfrey,
John FL. Kennard, Thomas ID. Miller,
Clement l.. Walker,
! Committee on Address and Invitation.