Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-14
From the FAM; Messenger and Glcaner.\
Cotto,F Mills.

We have alluded repeatedly to the rapid progress
of Cotton Manufactures in the South Within
few years, many millions of dollars have been invest
ed in this description of enterprise and industry
and as far as we have been able ascertain, the
suits have been quite satisfactory as compared with
similar enterprises in New England In the great
ority of cases, Southern brethren have deVo-
ted their attention particularly to the manu-
acture of the coarser fabrics and in this they nave
shown their wisdom Indeed, the wonder is, that
the movement was not made earlier They nave
the raw material at hand, and they consume a large
amount Of the coarser cotton clotns-arucleS .n"0
have heretofore been manufactured IN new Eng
land, and then sent and sold at the Sou.h DIV d
profit. Why indeed should not the ,Southerners
themselves be able to carry on tins prahcn VI nahu
facture and with advantage Inc question: c',hho'
be answered satisfactorily But, as already opser-
we'd MANY of the Southern planters and capitalists
bo discovered their error, and at the present mo-
mant numerous Gotten factories now in the full
tide of successful experiment in Georgia, Alabama,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and other
Of the Southern States. The movement, too, has
but lust commenced Gen James, the recently cleo
ted United States Senator from Rhode Island who
has built as many cotton mills, and set in motion as
large number of cotton spndles, as any other man
in England or America, holds this doctrine
lone would suppose that the people of themselves
at the South if men of only ordinary Judgment and
reflection, would readily discern the almost inumera-
BILE incentives to enter into the COTTON manufactur
ing business. The Southern people purchase large
quantities of cotton goods for their own use on which
they have to pay heavy profits to the Northern man
ufacturers beside the costs of freight, commissions
SC. by which the North is enriched. Suppose they
had to purchase their cotton at the North they ought
in that to reserve the profits OF manufac-
turing and the wages of manufacturing labor to
themselves instead of transmitting them to the North
which so enormously swells the wealth OF New En-
gland. The North manufactures for herself and Tor
the whole country and purchases her cotton at the
South. The South should do the same, even it her
cotton were obtained at the North
But in this business she possesses tremendous
advantage which she only has to use to menopollze
the business. She has the cotton on the spot, the
product of her own fields and that cotton costs the
Southern manufacturer less per pound by about
two cents than it costs the manufacturer at the
North and this saving alone from the cost of the
manufactured fabric at the Northern mill, will
amount to at least six per cent per annum on the
capital of MILL and which, added to the profits OF
Northern manufactures, must, IN my opinion, be
much greater than the profits of the cotton field
Why Southern men, knowing these facts, and fire.
quently discussing the subject of the increase of the
wealth of the North, do rot act voluntarily the
suggestions to which they give birth, it is difficult to
conceive unless apathy and lack of energy and
enterprise be the cause
The southern people very sensitive, and
naturally on the subject of the rapidly growing
power and influence of the North They are ex-
tremey FESTIVE under the result of that rapid growth
and though entirely aware of the cause take nc
pains to keep up in the race Does the South ex
pect that the people of the North will keep looking
back their shoulders to mark the tardy progress
of the South, and so regulate their pace as tC
Just prevent their heels from being trodden on by
those in the rear! If So her expectations very
unreasonable, and will never be realized The race
is open to all and the South has the ability, ant
only lacks the industry and energy to come ou
ahead.
"The power and influence of the North are the
legitimate fruits of her intelligence, her population
and her wealth These are constantly enhanced BY
her commercial and manufacturing operations O
which the South is nearly comparatively desti
tute. Mechanical and manufacturing labor is al
ways worth in market at least thirty fifty per cen
more than agricultural labor; of course in proper
ton to the latter wealth is much more rapidly in
creased. And how stands the case! Almost the en-
tire labor Of the South is employed in agriculture
pursuits, while, to supply the demand in very grea
measure for almost every description, they de
pendent on the North. In other words, the South
planter barriers with the North the labor of three
four agricultural hands for that of two, at mos
three mechanics or manufacturing operatives. Is i
then to be wondered at that the South does not keeI
pace with the North q
This is the language of practical man. 1t is thu
language moreover, of Northerner who has hac
great experience, and it cannot but exercise pow
erful influence The North of course enjoys grea
advantages in earlier start in an abundance o
capital in the experience of hands, and in the gen
eral facilities of trade. But these may all be over
taken in the course of time, and meanwhile tn,
Southern people will continue to enjoy the impor
tant advantages of growing the raw material an(
thus have it at their doors. IT, moreover the
experiments that have been made with fax, shall
result in entire success it will be quite necessary TO
the South to find other means for the employment
of her capital and industry, than in the cultivation
OF her great staple While certain of the States O
the Union devong their attention to the cutiva
ton of flax substitute for cotton the South will
be perfectly justifable in competing with the north
ern and middle members of the COnfederacv in tn
manufacture of the cotton goods, and of thu
keeping up the balance of trade.
The Best Way of Entering London.
Our ancestors understood this thoroughly Al
ambassador to the court at Westminster or White
hall was, on landing at Dover received by the gov
ernor of the castle and the mayor. His next stag
was to the great cathedral City of England Can
terbury from whence the route was to Rochester
where the noble castle, with the ships in the Med
way, would fill his mind with lofty ideas of ou
strength. His third stage to Gravesend, tn
entrance to the port of London, where he receiv
by the lord mayor here he took water in the roya
galiey-toist, or barge, rowed towards London
and landed with careful ceremony at the Tower
where the chief nobility. who waiting to receiv
him. conducted him in great state through the chic
streets of the city to the King at Westminster. Tn
house assigned to him generally in the Strand
and, when his embassy was over. he ATTENDED
out of London in the same observant manner NOV
it is somewhat different; Englishmen and foreign
ers enter London by the five main thresholds of tt
place, the London bridge-staton, Paddngton, Wa
terloo-brdg e-road, Euston square, and Shoreditch
The traveller, on reaching London bridge, obtain
an admirable and almost instantaneous view of tn
Will re huor- l..I