Wilmington journal., 1866-10-11
manuf.cturingf i'm North Carolina.

there is at this time In process OF erectlol
in the State of Georgia, seventy-two mill
for the manufacture of cotton and woole1
goods, some of them for calicoes. This i
an astonishing fact, but it is the natura
consequence of the events of the last fv,
or six years. So long as Southern capita
could control the labor of the country, thu
cultivation of cotton was the most profita
BILE investment, and to this almost the
whole capital of the Southern States was de
voted to the almost entire neglect Of every
thing else.
Even now, we are lothe to abandon oul
habit of purchasing lands with our surplus
capital, but the destruction of slavery ha:
produced revolution in this respect, thai
makes it no longer profitable to own ex
tended tracts of land. A vast amount ot
capital will be compelled to seek invest
ment in other branches of industry, and
we believe that the capitalists of Georgia
have selected that which offers the highest
inducements. Cotton and woolen mills
will be multiplied from year to year, until
the South will finally be able to work up
her entire crop of cotton, and export the
manufactured fabrics instead of the raw
material. With cheap and intelligent la
Dor, which she will eventually have with
all her channels of trade open and in pro-
fitable employment; with all her food made
at home, and with the raw material
raised at the very doors of her manufacto-
ries, the South will be enabled to do So
without the fear of successful competition.
She will then recover her wonted strength
and prosperity nay, surpass her former
wealth and renown.
In North Carolina particularly, will this be
especially true. Nature seems to point out
our State as region of country admirably
adapted to manufactures. No country on
this continent furnishes more advantages
for manufacturing than North Carolina
The facilities afforded by unlimited Water
power, salubrious Climate and fertile Soil,
ale unsurpassed. Few States in the Union
abound more in sites of water-power. The
shoals and falls in her primary rivers, the
smaller rivers and large creeks, furnish never
failing supplies. Much of this power is found
in that range of country where the cotton
grows well; and higher up, near the
mountains, there is no limit to it's extent.
The soil and climate of North Carolina is
admirably adapted to the production of all
the necessaries of life depending on Agri-
culture 1t occupies, indeed, a sort of mid
die ground, where the staples and products
of the North and South meet in luxuriant
growth in the same rich field. Nowhere
is there greater salubrity of climate expe-
rienced, or healthier, harder inhabitants to
be found.
In the requisites only of skill and capital
are we deficient, and these might long since
have been supplied by judicious and prac-
tical employment of the means within our
reach. By holding out the proper induce
ments to intelligent immigrants, the neces-
sary knowledge and skill might easily have
been commanded. When manufactures
were first introduced into New England,
the want of these requisites was as much
felt there as it has been here, for those
people were compelled to import superin-
tendents and skilled mechanics from Europe.
Heretofore the difficulty was that all our
capital sought investment in lands and
negroes. Now that the ravages of war
have desolated one and destroyed the other,
our impoverished people must turn their
attention to other subjects for profitable
labor The system of manufacturing, we
are satisfied, is the policy now to be depen-
ded upon to relieve our State of the evils
habits have hitherto been adverse to it,
but we must yield to the force of things
and profit by the indication of current
events. It can be made our greatest means
of wealth and posperity, and once firmly
adopted, will flourish beyond our most
sanguine expectations.
Sheep-raising has been neglected to such
an extent in this State, that we barely pro-
duce wool enough for our commonest do
mestic uses. This appears to be still more
uniustifable, as the climate and soil of this
State are excellently adapted to sheep hus-
bandry In the eastern and midland parts
of the State are extensive tracts of land
well suited for the purposes Of grazing,
while our mountains are unexcelled fol-
pasturage. Suitable tracts can be purchased
for amounts much less than the sheep walks
of the Western States will cost, and sheer
require one fourth less feeding than in
colder latitudes.
Besides these, our mineral resources are
abundant, especially iron ore is found il
inexhaustable quantities. In fact, every
element necessary for building up and en-
couraging manufacturing establishments il
this State we possess in a lavish degree
raw material, water-power, provisions anc
climate. Capital and skilled labor must bt
got elsewhere, and we must turn our at
tention to this matter. North Caroline
must realize the great truths which he1
Southern sister, Georgia, has already &C
cepted, or she will be left behind in the
new race for wealth and prosperity. Sht
must avail herself at once of her great na
tural resources. She must not only NJ
longer look abroad for manufactured goods