The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1845-04-18
CHAPTER LII.

MdnofactUres in South Carolina. By
William Gregg.
! CHAPTER III.
However unpopular the doctrine Of en-.
coufaging domestic industry. in South Caro-.
Ina, may be, | feel satisfied that there are
lew individuals so ultra in their notions, with
regard TO our being exclusively agricultural.
iha, will not feel charmed with the idea Of
domestic industry ii carries with it the idea
OF az improved condition Of our counlry-of
compensated industry, and comforts around
us. itisto be lamented. that our grea, men
are not 10 be found in the ranks Of those who
are wiling TO lend their aid, in promoting
this good cause. Arc we 10 commence an.
other ten years crusade, 10 prepare III,
minds of the people Of this State for rev.
olutlon;N thus infringing every department
otindDsiry, and paraly zInR he best G forts to
promote the welfare OF our country. Area
dy do We hear Of persons, high in the eslma-
ton OF cur State, largely engaged in cotton
planting, and on the side Of State resistance,
expressing doubts as TO the permanoncy and
safety, OF any investments, that csn be made
in South Carolina. Lamentabe, indeed, is
II TO see so wise and go pure man az Lang.
don Cheves, putting forth the doctrine 10
South Carolina, that manufactures should be
the last resort ola country. With the great
est possible respect for the opinions OF tbs
truly grea, man, and the humbIest proten.
sions on my part, viii venture the asser.
ton, thota greater error was ncvor commit.
ted by statesman. No good is without its
evil, and | am free 20 confess, that " hen a
people become 80 infatuated With the snirt
Of manufactures, as 10 undertake to force
large establishments into unnatural exs.
tence, al the exponso of other pursuits, they
are committing an error by making on evil
OF that, which would otherwise DO a great
blessing. j admit, also, shat agriculture is
tho natural and "llossed employment of
man; !" but, that a country should become
emlnently prosperousin agriculture, without
a high state OF perfection in The mechanic
srtg, Is thlog next to impossibe--,o be
dreamed Of, moi rsalized--a picture Of the
ina gination, not TO be found in reality on tho
face Of the globe.
What does this gentleman mean by spri-
culture! Does he intend that we shall fol.
low the footsteps Of our forefathere, and still
further exhaust our soil by the exclusive cul.
ture ofcotton7 Docs be not know that this
y stem has already literally destroyed our
State, and driven from il wealth aud popula.
ion-that many Of It's wealthiast and most
citizens have Jeff it, in search
1t new and more productive lands! Does
10 not know that money is net wealth 10 a
lation, unlsss il is spent within its borders,
n the improvement, mental and physical, of
ha condition nf ia iahe hi, 4~s----- =
lovaiien OF lis soll,- in the construction OF
Dads and bridges, in the erection Of fine
,ouses, and in planting orchards, and making
,atns for the protection of produce and live
stock, This is indeed kind Of wealth that
will never be realized IN South Carolina,
without domestic manufactures. And, lest
be misunderstood nB TO what | mean by
domestic manufactures, | will here state,
hat mean the erection of Steam mills in
for every purpose that our me-
hanics may desire, to enable them TO CON-
,ste with Foreigners in The manufacture Of
houssuds of articles, now Imported into the
Stale--the erection Of Steam Cotton manu-
actones 10 employ the poor aud needy Of
his city, and the hundreds who seem to have
lille else to do, than 20 follow our military
arades through the strtets,-th erection
# Cotton manufactures throughout the
State, 10 employ our poor aud half starved
population, whose condition could Do, but be
approved, in working up part of our cotton
into cloth, 10 cover their nakedness, and 10
clothe our negroes and ourselves, ct q cost,
or the manufacture of the coarse fabrics
osnaburss) Of 81 cents per ID. and for the
iner, such as brown and bleached shirtings,
lrillings, and cotton flannels, of from 10
cents per pound instead Of sending the
ame abroad 10 be returned TO US, charged
With ID cts. per pound for osnaburgs, and
rom 20 TO 65 cents, for the other articles
named. ! mean, that, at every village and
ross road in the State, we should have
annery, shoe maker, clother, halter,
blacksmith, Chat can make and mend our
aud trace chains, q wagon
maker, and carriage maker, with their
hops stored with seasoned lumber, the best
# which may be obtained in cur forests.
This is the kind Of manufactures speak of,
10 being necessary TO bring forth tho ener-
,ies Of country, and give health(ul and
rigorous action to agriculture, commerce
md every department Of industry, and,
Without which, ven;ured the assertion
ha, this State can never prosper. This ia
he state Of things that every true friend Of
South Carolina ough, to erdeevor TO bring
bout. II he wishes TO see her worn out
nd desolate old fields turned into green
'asIares. her villages Frightened up with
he hand of industry, her dilapidated farm
louses taken down, to be replaced by opu-
eat mansions, her muddy aud almost i'm
,assabs roads graded aud MeAdamizsd
ct him use his endeavors to make the peo.
,le of South Carolina think less Of their
.Thoss who are disposed to agitate the State
ind prepare the mnas Of tho people for resisting
he laws Of Congress-, and particularly those who
oek for SO dirofal calamity as the dissolution Of
,ur Union, should, above all others, be most INK