The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-11-19

| nc" saPiuensss and lsthargv, and
ses psttlng forth their energies and capi
's' Il. recaimins our Impoverished soil,
ana In developing the mineral, manuc,c-
turing and mechanical resources of our
States. l feel that ga change has coma
over the spirit of our drc;.m," and that
wo are IN the morning of that great re-
formation which is destined to place South
Carolina side by side with Virginia anl
Georgia in agricultures, manufactures aud
the mechanic arts.
The question then presents itselr-what
are the resources of our State, and how
arc they to be developed?
1t is generally conceded by all geological
and agricultural writers, that no country
is more capable Of an almost indefinite
extension in agricultural resources, than
those States occupying the Atlantic and
Gulf slope of the Blue Eidyc Mountains.
In the midst of this group, stands the lit
TIC Palmetto State, abounding in soil
capable of the highest state of impro ye-
ment. OF the great material for human
e'o'h'"s, she furnishes aMc:ssventl, Of tho
cotton OF the United States. O. ~.
staple, she furnishes from her sea islands
the finest silk cotton producc, in the world.
IN the article Of food, she produces corn.
rice and wheat for export, and oats, barley
ana rye Tor home consumption. In ;he
production Of rice, no State can comno,e
with our rice lands and rice planters III
the production of this article of food. Then
again, there arc our mineral rcsourcas-
iron and lime-which are Indispensable to
the farmer and mechanic. They lie in,Lcd-
Ell IN some OF our middle and mountain
districts for the want of capital to opcn
them up, and the means of an expedition 8
aud cheap transportation to our markets.
There are many fine water powers distriLu-
ted over the middle and northern norton
OF our State, which would be well a,lsotcd
TO the manufacturing, milling and mcclani-
Cal department Of industry; but are now
'yng idle for the want Of capital, and ::
Gregg, McBee, Sloane, a Gibbes, and
host OF other practical men in our State, to
develop their great powers. Then again
there are our great lines Of railroads, extend
ing from the seaboard to the mountains.
branching offin various sections of the State
These come not properly under tue lead Of
resources, but they are tho Archimcdean
leader of the present age, and have done
more towards developing the resources of
our State, than all other efforts Hitherto
made by the people or State. These, then.
are the true and substantial resources Of ,nr
State and upon their development depend
the futurc happiness Of our people, and our
political equality IN or out Of the Union.
The question, then, that addresses itself
with peculiar force to each member Of vour
Association, and to every true lover of his
country is, how shall these resources be de-
Veloped! My answer is, by education of
the masses, thorough reform in our pres.
ent mode Of agriculture and economy. and
proper division of our labor and capital.
History, and even our own observation.
teaches that no reformation, either in poli
tics or religion-that no advancement c;t,.
or in the arts or scieuces-bave ever been
accomplished in day, a month, or
year. 1t has requiredyears Of intense study
and untring industry OF master minds TO
u'gest and prepare tie proper plans of
operations. 1t has required time to arouse
the masses, and bring their minds to bear
upon tue Subject, for them to understand
tile necessity of tic work and coprehend its
length and breadth, heighth and depth, be-
lure thoy cam move forward with force and
power. AS it has been in all ages with
politics and religion, SO it is now in agricul-
ture and all the departments of industry.
Patient study, energy and perseverance,
have overcome mountains of difficulties
Tho glorious example of the sons of Old
Virg'nia-with a Ruffin as their leader.
arouse themselves thirty years ago from their
s"p'neness-recIaiming their impoverished
misunderstanding the hidden resources of
the state-diversifying her labor and capi-
tai, and placing their State in her present
prosperous and independent position, should
cheer us on to this noble and patriotic work.
Our people, l am proud to say, from
the many evidences have seen in yari-
GUS sections Of the State, are fully alive
to the necessity of reformation in arri.
culture, and in our manufacturing and
mechanical departments Of industry. All
they want now to carry on this great
work so earnestly and "otly begun, is
more light" and al Edmund Ruf1iu 70
guide and direct their energies. 1 as.
pre not to that distinguished post, Of
enlightening and directing the energies
Of our people, but simply MS co.aborcr
| in This GREAT wort r., oon,.;,,,o ~