The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-28

We copy from the Savannah Georgian
another Of series Of articles in that paper urg-
ing upon the South the policy of encouraging
| the growth of manufactures and the mechanic
arts in its midst, as the most effectual security
for real independence. We are glad to see
evidence in other quarters that this idea is
spreading. If the present irritatiQns shall, as
seems likely to be the case, procure greater at
tenton to suggestions of this character than
| heretofore, great good will come out of evil.
| We shall have pleasure in laying before our
| readers, from time to time, articles advocating
| the Investigation of industry, as well at the
| South as elsewhere, without regard to the ute
| rlor motives of those by whom it may be urged
Let us Prepare for our own Protection.
| In our article on Saturday endeavored to show
| the importance Of encouraging the mechanic arts
in our State. The benefits that would be derived
from to ourselves, and the necessity entailed upon
u.s. at this critical period of country's affairs
| promote our own internal strength. We come
| to what has been the prevailing opinion at the
South, that we could not manufacture articles
| good, or as cheap, as at the North-consequenty
we must import. But, let us ask, what would have
been the result, had each State continued to main
tain this impression, as of course they all, to
| tain degree entertained this feeling at the dawn
| of their great enterprises? Would they not have
found themselves laboring under all the inconveni-
ences of dependence to which this stereoyped opin
| ion had subjected them? We all sensible of the
| obstacles to which all projects liable, and
| the responsibility incurred when its success seems
| doubtful; but were we to yield to them in their
feeble stages, the happy results which have fol-
| lowed the most gloomy dawns would not now en-
blazen the records of our country as emblems of
our noblest enterprises.
| But why does this great difference exist? Why
| Is 1t that the North Is our manufacturer? There
are slight local causes, we admit but the extent is
not equal in proportion to the patronage we yield
to the North The question has been discussed at
the North, and she attributes it to slave labor,
and settled Willingness to remain contened with
| producing the raw material. The latter may have
some truth III II, but the former we should very
much doubt for there Ia no natural impeachment
which should separate the manufacturer from the
| producer. The success of the is produced by
natural causes-thc other by own feelings and
the amount of encouragement with which we fos-
ter II.
Let compare the progress Of railroads in
Massachusettsthe different branc hes of trade con-
nected with it, and the wealth which they diffuse
into the manufacturing Districts with that of Geor
! ga. Massachusetts, in 1885, had but one hun
dred and seventy four miles of railroad in running
| order; her principal roads were the Boston and
| Worcester, Boston and Providence, and the Lowell
! The feeling then the as with US now;
and the English locomotive and tender, with the
roads. There were no " locomotive Shops" and
| but feeble attempt had been made TO build cars
| by Messrs. Davenport Bridges, OF Cambridge.
In 1899, the Worcester railroad were working eight
! locomotives, four of which were English manuiac-
ture, one from Lowell shop, two from the Messrs.
Norris, and one from Baldwin & Vail, of Philadel
| phia.
Here, in 1899, VIC find Massachusetts to have made
but little progress i'll the manufacture of her own
| locomotives and In the same year a small
establishment had been started, what was called
the Neck, near Boston, by Messrs. Hnckley and
Drury. These gentlemen were esteemed excellent
! mechanics-thelr means were limited-the enter
| prise private one, and its success deemed
very doubtful. Their competitors, Mcssrs. Norris
and Baldwin, had established their popularity with
! the Boston railroad rporations-drove the Eng
! ish mechanic out of the market, and were even
manufacturing specimens of their work to send to
Great Britain and continental Europe. This. then,
was an obstacle TO the progress of Messrs. Hinck-
ley and Drury, who, although having produced
several very fine specimens of workmanship, had
not established a popularity.
But let US ask, what is the present position of that
branch of business in Massachusetts,? Her railroads
have increased to six hundred and ninety four
| miles. Messrs Hinckley and Drury's locomotives
may be found on almost every railroad in the Uni
ted States-from the railroad extremes at the sea-
board to the Michigan Central road at the west,
which last road use no other machines. Two years
ago corporate company formed, and their
establishment now progresses under the name OF
"The Boston Locomotive Works" Messrs. H. x
ID. have become the possessors of princely posses
sons The establishment is in the full tide of pros
perity, employing upwards of four hundred men,
and declaring an immense dividend. This, however,
is but one instance There are now eight locomotive
tories exclusive of the machine shops ofthe
Boston and Worcester, and Boston and Lowell
| roads, who now manufacture their own, in Massa-
chusetts; all of whom are doing lucrative bust
ness, extending their work shops sending their
machines to the different States, and giving en-
ployment TO an immense number of mechanics, and
with il an equal employment Of capital. The man
m art az rar hea Lent
affords an immense field for domestic industry.
Thus we find Massachusetts, enriching herself by
encouraging the progress of her mechanical pro-
auctions, and driving foreign competition out of
tho ma rket.
Would il not be we'll for us 10 follow her exam
pie, not alone in this one branch Of industry, for
only introduce this one among the many things
for which VIC are dependent upon the North-but
in all? Georgia date the history Of her railroad
enterprise but short time behind Massachusetts,;
yet che has nearly kept pace with her in extent of
road, having now 637 miles, substantially laid
down, and this owned principally by her own citi-
zens. Not with Northumberland OF her
stock IL owned out Of the State. Bot where is
Georgia in regard 10 the moving power She Is
where she was in the commencement, dependent
on the North, and her public journals weekly
nouncing the arrival of imported locomotives and
care, which should have been manufactured within
our own State. Are not these considerations which
should invite our serious attention? Are they not
the weapons Of our own strength, and should VIC
not seek 10 perpetuatc them2 What is there TO
prevent. Georgia from entering the field Of compe-
tition her own roads could afford n large patron
age, and her sister States fast advancing in
railroad enterprise. The attempt seems q noun
tain but it's difficulties are overcome the plain
IL before The Georgia road built many ofthcir
own cars, and the State road have built two loco
motives, which have proved very satisfactory.
The Central road build their own freight care,
and, II VIC arc correctly informed by those con-
ncced with the road, one Of the most easy riding,
substantial, and conveniently- arranged cars ever
o raj ,paa buii nv
w. Adams, Of this city. But why was il not CON
unuedl Was II because they could be procured
cheaper from the North We are too prone 20 look
at the immediate effect without regarding the ul-
innate result, and thus prepare the harvest for
others to reap. The Central railroad also built
locomotive, and called II the Georgia, but IL
destined for state Of single blesscdness, and al
though it has proved worthy Of the name, il has
had no descendants. Let us continue 10 appreciate
products consider the strength which
they give us-rase the standard Of the mechanics
occupation, and measure the triumphs may
yet enjoy from them.