Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-03-11
rcction to opinion and conduct, by their counsel

rcction to opinion and conduct, by their counsel
and example in arresting these consequences.
What is to be done =! I his is the question
whose solution is necessary to save South Car
ona from an extensive emigration if not depop-
ulation, We have now reached that condition
which leaves no alternative between the reten-
ton OF stubborn habits, with decreasing prosper
lty, and change Of occupation, with the prospect
OF permanent wealth. Well what is to be done
II our favorite pursuit is abandoned THE path
is plainly marked out for us by Nature. If we
fail TO follow il, we have nothing to thank but
our own apathy and incidence South Carolina
possesses great natural capabilities for ManulaG-
turing. 1t is melancholy fact that we are far
behind the age in knowledge Of our own res
ources, slumberlng over advantages, which, If
properly employed, would make us the most
prosperous and independent people in existence.
The country that relies for its annual reven-
he on one or two staples of export, subjects it.
self to all those losses and fluctuations which
! follow wars, mercantile revulslons and revolu-
tons in commerce. A fall abroad IN the marke:
value of these staples frequently reduce the pro-
fits of Agriculture SO suddenly and so largely as
to affect all dependant branches o! industry
This cannot happen where the pursuits OF laboui
and the investments of capital are more dvers-
| fed. all productive labour does not. then, fiow
into one or two channels, SO that when the cur
rents OF external trade are mpeded, stagnatIor
succeeds. But that scheme of industry which
| calls forth variety of occupat ons, mechanical
commercial and agricultural, constantly replen.
shcs and nvgorates all the internal springs o.
wealth. II the foreign market fluctuates ant
falls, the interior currents of trade and circula
ton remain in undiminished activity and d.
! versfy in the modes of industry and in the APP
plicatlons of capital enable the country, SO cir
cums' anced, to fall back on other and more in
dependent sources Of income. The arts of life
which are quickened and improved by an inter
nal movement of labour are then sure aud healthy
supports TO an industrious population. The
fund by which industry is remuneraed is not
m It's precarlousness, so variable in amount a
when it is exclusively derived from raising pro
ducts for foreign and distant market
But 1t will be said that if an attempt is made
to change our present scheme OF lndustry-tha
FIVE direct our attention to developing the rcl
mineral resources of our state, or engage il
working up our raw material, we have not Thu
capital and enterprise necessary to the success
of these operations. This is very true undc
the present state of feeling, habit and opinion
among orr capitalsts-wh'le they obstna'e
adhere to existing modes of investment and pre-
fer the uncertainty attending the production c
: agricultural staples for foreign market, to tn
security of home demand. We have nc
only this obstinacy of habit and lethargy Of dis
position 10 overcome, but deep rooted prelude
against all such enterprises as will bring Us in
to competition, in the same pursuit, with tn
Northern States. Such are the baneiul effect
OF '"isdrected public opinion on this subjeC
, that it is only necessary for a man to embar
his capital in manufacturing To have his cred
damaged and his best directed efforts frustrated
1t is our next intention to show that we have tn
means at hand by which Manufactures may b
established in South Carolina while the capt.;
by which they lnay be safely introduced and al
equately sustained need not be sought abroa
bat it is to be found within her own limits