The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-02-24
,1.oqress of America i'm Cotton Manu-
EactUrCS.


long since warned the country of the danger oil
depending on orr cotton manufactures as branch
Of trade of which the nation could never be de-
priyed. There cannot be doubt that our cotton
trade has been, and indeed is, source oil great
wealth TO the country that It has afforded EN-.
,Iovment to many thousands OF the people, and
Thai through its means a great number Of the
working classes have been supported IN ease and
comfort. But all these advantages have resulted
from England having a monopoly OF the trade /;
and when that monopoly ceases, through the COM
netiiion of other countries which have been pre-
naring for H. the trade can no longer continue that
;nlaIlible resource which it supposed 10 be-
When we formerly wrote on the subject we said
that the United States OF America was the country
from which the greatest competition was 10 be
.prrehepded; we stated what was known 10 be
The fact, that even then America undersoId Eng
land in all the neut raj markets in the cOarser fab
RIGS and, knowing the energy Of the American
people, we naturally concluded that they would
not stop at that point, but that those who could
manufacture coarse cloths would very soon learn
TO manufacture fine cloths also. This opinion Is,
in a great degree borne out by the statement oI
Mr. James ASpiEai Turner, at th" mrclin@ of the
Manchester Chamber Of Commerce, on Monday
last That gentleman observed that there was
a close contest between the masters OF this cOun-
try and those Of America, and of Germany,
tries for The possession of the market" and ne
added that he had had samples laid before hun
last week. showing that the Americans were pro-
crossing with rapid strides IN the cotton manufac-
Iures and that they were making most beautiful
cloth, not only Of the coarser description, but of
fine fabric; and that there was anthirg to prevent
them passing us, except that labor was Il little
dearer there than here.
OF the competition of Germany. Franco, and
l.
In some Of those countries, doubt, they equal,
If they do not excel US in skill, bur they labor
under the same disadvantage as we do in having
to import The raw material hence the capital of
England, with her maturrd proficiency, may ai.
ford sufficient defence against these competitors.
With America it is very different; the Americans
have the raw material on the spot-EEgand has
TO import every pound of it, either from tie
United States, from India, Brazil, Egypt, or some
other distant country. Bat We arc told that labor
is little dearer in America than in England. We
imagine, however, it cannot long continue so for
some years past the United States have been
enormously increasing their population from these
islands and from Germany, and the process is
still going on. America, us compared to England,
Is an unaxed country; provisions of all kinds
abundant, and the circumstances of our importing
them to supply the wants of England, shows tina!
the markets there cheaper than they arc here.
high. Resides, there is in this country general
demand for higher wages and, as regards the
manufacturers especially, there can lie no doub;
that they are committing great error. They
at present engaged IN a very close and a very
doubtful competition with the United States and
plher foreign countries. and very hIilr may turn
! he balance against England. But, besides Anne
RIGA, The chairman Of The meeting said He had
been suffering q dIminulion of orders from the
md b1 bad ,,IJ h,
that continental manufactures were progressing
such an extent that they would be able very soon
tO take several branches OF his business from him.
and were already producing several articles he had
been accustomed To furnish at a cheaper rate than
he could" Ii, in the face Of these circumstances,
the operatives persist in their demand for higher
wages, they must nevitebly hasten catastrophe
which il is impossible to see IS already before
the country-a serious falling Off in the exporta-
ton Of cotton goods, through competition, depriv-
ing England OF The monopoly of which it has
long had the undiSpuied enjoyment.
The chairman told the meeting that he had
himshlf, and many other gentlemen brsideS,
ceiyed tempting offers 10 remove his capital and
his industry out of this country, and he had. TO
doubt that he could employ his money 10 more
advantage TO himself abroad In confirmation of
which it stated that two firms the names Of
which were given, were now building factories or
Tie Rhine, instead % in lancashire, which was
their first intention. In this decision they have.
OF course been in some degree influenced bv the
war now raging against capital on tn part Of the
operatives in Lancashire. But perhaps it is not
The only motive. If the price OF operative labor
he higher in America than it is in England, il is
cheaper the continent; house rent is also
cheaper; and the miI-owncrs have at last found
nu; that they are burdencd with an income lax. ,
This tax alone must give decided advantage to I
American and continental manufactures over En- .
glsh. Hence heavy taxation ought not to be dis .
regarded one Of the causes which must aid the .
competition 10 which the manufacturers OF Eng
land are exposed. But with prudence and bet
ter sense OF their real interests. on the parts Of
The operatives, England may enjoy for many
years 10 come a prospective cotton trade We
would, however, have all parties, and especially
our statesmen and Legislators, abandon the chi.
m@rIcal thought that the country can, without fear
Of rivalry or competition, Perpetuae a monopoly
IN the trade. In war it has been often found a
fatal error to hold your enemy too cheap; from
what took place ut the meeting 10 which have
been referring, il is evident that the mill.owners
)i Lancashire are not inclined 10 commit this ,
mistake. They appear fully to appreciate the
competition which awaits them, and the danger .
With which their business is threatened. This is
is prudent-and we feel assured
hat there is safety in it.-Lonclon Shipping
TacetIc.
The N. c. Road WITHIN SEVEN MILES OF