The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-03-10
Patronage OF Homo tnau,,tt,rv,.

Patronage of Home Industry.
In continuation of our remarks on
this important subject, we may add a
few addltlonal suggestions. We have
already laid down the proposition
that the encouragement and support
OF agricultural and industrial enter
prises Is really of more importance to
the South at this time than even the
admission f her Senators and Rep
resentatlves in Congress; and why is
this? Because, having just emerged
from a long, bloody and disastrous
war, her every interest is prostrated,
all her resources are dormant, and
shels IN almost an abnormal condi-
tion. To bring back prosperity and
plenty to her borders, is the first duty
of every citizen; while the admission
OF our Senators and Representatives
in Congress would give us no more
power in that body than we now pos
sess. In brief, we can get along very
we'll without the one, and we cannot
without the other. Why, then,
should we disturb our equanimity or
perplex our brains about political
affairs, when there is so much to be
done in wider and more important
field? Why should we stand with
heads uncovered and hats in hand,
vainly beseeching admittance to the
council halls of the nation, while
every interest of our unfortunate Sec
ton of the Union is crying aloud to
US to be up and doing, to work, to
bend ourselves to the task of regene-
ration with all the energies that we
are capable Of? Rather let us erect
factories and foundries, machine
shops and furnaces; rebuild our ruined
sanctuaries, establish schools and col
leges; turn up the soil, plant, SOW
and reap the rich harvest of plenty
and prosperity which will surely fol-
low honest industry and untiring
energy.
With white labor properly protect
ed and properly directed, the rich
productive soil of these States will
once more be made to blossom as
the rose, - the golden tassels of the
Indian corn will once more proudly
wave in the gentle Southern breezes,
and the snowy fields where old King
Cotton was wont to WELD his scep-
tered sway, will again beautify the
valleys and the hill-sides, and plenty
will smile on every side.
Not only put your manufactures in
operation, but when the water-wheel
and the steam-engine have performed
their duty-when the loom, and the
spindle, and the anvil, have fulfilled
the objects for which they are in
tended-when the fabrics and the
implements have been produced or
fashioned into shape-let us purchase
them here, rather than go abroad for
similar articles. Let US keep our
money at home; let us encourage our
mechanics and laborers; let us sup
port our own industry and enterprise;
for herein really lies the secret of our
independence-not a political indie
pendence, for to obtain that we have
vainly essayed and signally failed,
but an independence of far more i'm
portance, more enduring and more
worthy of our most strenuous efforts.
Such an independence as this will
witness every valley and every hilltop
crowned with the products of our soil
every city swarming with a busy
and prosperous people-every town,
village and hamlet increasing in
wealth and population. Such an in
dependence will make us great,
wealthy, prosperous and respected
a power in the nation, honored and
admired abroad. Such an indepen-
dence is what we want-such an indie
pendence is what we must strive to
work for.-Augusta Press.