The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-18

TIC Whoie cOiilicl OH the SuIyecl Vi slavery,
which has been and which continues 10 be SO
prolific of discord is mistaken conflict betaceen
too different industrial organisations.
But cannot these two systems be harmonizedl
What is more easy, what more NATURALLY The
SOUTH holds in her keeping, and 10 some ex
tent IN monopoly, great staples which are es-
sentlal To the manufactures and to the com
merce of the NORTH. Cotton, sugar, rice, to-
baceo--these are Southern products which the
North cannot do without. What them we repeat,
is more easy, what more natural, than that the
South should unite cordially in system of poll
cy which would enable her neighbors and friends
of the North TO use these raw products 10 the
best advantage, ..since by such policy the plant
ers of the South could sell them TO the best add
vantage! Nor is this all. The experience of
the last ten years has demonstrated beyond all
doubt the capabilities of large portions of the
Southern States To manufacture successfully
their own staple Of cotton. Sugar, rice, and to-
bacco, leave their warehouses already in shapes
adapted for sumption-although there are
processes of refinement which the frst-named
staple is subject to, and there are various forms
of manufacture into snuff, segars, and other
shapes usual TO the last. These, however,
could be well domesticated in Southern towns
and cities.
The opinion entertained by intelligent man
ufacturers at the North, as we have reasonable
assurances to know, is, that under a fair and
adequate system of protection the manufactures
of the heavier cotton fabrics would soon fall into
Southern hands almost exclusively, if not en-
tirey so. They would have the advantage of
commanding the raw material at their doors,
subject to nominal costs of transportation. The
more advanced industry of the North, with its
improved combinations OF machinery, and its
more practised skill, would be obliged to devote
itself to the finer fabrics, and to such devices of
art and taste as might render the value Of the
finished work more dependent on the perfection
Of the finish than on the original value of the
material. And in this competition for superior
excellence of workmanship, the South would be
continually advancing; for the same policy which
fostered and protected the industry of one sec
ton would shed its benefcent influence upon
the other.
Now, without charging upon these views
which present, we think, a fair claim to con-
slderation-our purpose is simply to suggest
our conclusion, which seems to force itself in
| to prominence, viz: That, while the South
by the advantages of soil and climate, and her
system of domestic labor. holds, and may expect
to hold, the control OF her great staples which
cannot be produced in any other section of the
country, she may find in that exclusive faculty
of production, with her manufacturing facilities
superadded, an ample quantity Of security for
her domestic institutions, and an assurance of
political influence, which ought to place her
beyond the reach of apprehension, misgiving
or distrust. 1t would seem like neglecting the
substance for the shadow, if Southern states
men should overlook their ground of strength
which nature has given them, and which fur
nishes basis upon which the sectional feelings
now arrayed against them might be converted,
by the recognition of mutual interests, into the
abiding elements Of Southern strength We
should not thus allude to sectional feelings at
all, if it were not for the belief that fair view
of the reciprocal dependency and the common
interests of all sections of the country might
tend to show that, so far from there being any
real cause Of antagonism, the true interests
both of the North and the South do suggest.
invite and urge the establishment of common
policy, by means of which the welfare of both
might be happily conjoined and thoroughly
blended with the national prosperity and glory.