The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-31
The Old North state.

We ever rejoice at the indications of improve
ment and enterprise in the different States of the
Union, and especially where employment and ad-
vantage TO the of the people form the main
spring Of such movements II Is with pleasure,
therefore, that meet with the following, in the
Raleigh Star, and trust that the editor Of that
journal will not desist in his efforts to the
energies of the people Of that good old common
wealth, until he beholds her in successful competi
ton with her less favored, yet more prosperous sis
tiers in the Confederacy.
NoRTH CARoLIsA.-Whist North Carolina has
embarked, TO a limited extent in manufactures,
we have been somewhat surprised that she has not
gone more fully into 1t. She possesses As many or
more natural advantages for it than any other
State in the Union. She has water power SUFFICIENT
in her borders to propel any amount OF machinery,
and that too dsposedi in such manner that II could
be applied readily and proftaby. She has ex-
haustiess beds Of coal and iron, which are easily
worked as those of any other section Of the world
Then, she has quantities Of copper, silver, gold,
lime and other minerals which might be worked
to advantage, and manufactured into those various
forms which would adapt them to the wants and
necessities Of mankind. She raises large quantities
of cotton, and produce as much wool she
might desire; and yet, with the exception Of few
cotton factories, she has paid attention TO this
important branch of industry. Her surplus labor,
now without employment, would be amply suffi-
Gent to raise up a manufacturing interest in
from it's dependence upon other States for manu-
facturcd articles, and would give life and activity
to all branches OF industry.
We know the back ward state Of this branch Of in
dustry in our borders has been owing, in great
measure, to the want OF proper facilities for throw
ing manufactured as well as agricultural products
into the market of the world. But even il we had
none, the erection of various kinds Of manufacto-
res could not fail to be Of vast benefit to all other
interests. Whilst it would employ much of the la.
Dor which is now idle, it would create demand for
all agricultural products, thus benefting the far
mer, and furnishing to our people the means to en-
bark more largely and extensively into all enter
prises Of this kind.
Much of the capital Of our State has been sent off
to other States, berause its owners could not find
any thing in which they could profitably invest it,
Much remains idle and useless in our midst But
trust that ntw spirit Of enterprise will be in
fused into the mines OF our people; that they
determined to overcome the difficulties which lie in
their way to a freeand rapid communication with
the markets of the world, they will employ those
means they have to make North Carolina one of the
first States in the Uion in wealth and in enterprise
We have good oil, pleasant and varied eli
mate, and why maynot our citizens expend their
means and put forth their energies to improve the
advantages we have and to develop the latent
sources with which have been richly blessed !?
MAcKEREL FIsHINs IN SOUTHERN Waters
An enterprising merchant of Norfolk, Captain II.
Fitzgerald, has embaixed in new branch of bust
ness that of fishing fol mac kerel. We learn from
the papers Of that city hat the experiment has been
quite successful, and that the protector has already
commenced receiving returns 1t appears that
Captain +. 3 schooner he Selim, being fully equip
ped, commenced fishing off Sandy Hook, when in
the short space of fourhours two thousand three
hundred fine mackerrl were caught. They were
taken to New York, and sold at eight dollars per
hundred. Another lotof twenty three barrels has
been received at Norfolk, having been shipped from
an eastern port, into which the Selim put in for
supplies. This is new business for the people of
the South, and, as it il not likely to be over
done by competition, the success Of Captain Fitz-
gerald may induce others to embark in it.