The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-29
Manufacturing in the South.

The New York Herald says that the fact that
this country is 10 become the greatest manu-
featuring country in the world "wlll be estao-
"hshed if BY nothing else, by the very exist
"ence OF the immense water power i'll the
Southern States especially in Virginia and
1.-The Carolinas, where the cotton fields are al
1.-the door of the man fac tories. Every bale
"of cotton raised here before long Will be
manufactured into fabrics in this country"
We wish we could believe that the States
which enjoy these unequalled advantages for
manufacturing would give some practical
evidence OF their appreciation OF them. Here
are Richmond and Manchester, for example,
which ought each TO be great hive Of manu-
featuring industry. So all over the Southern
States. Why are they not 80 Why do the rich
staples of the Southern soil take up their line OF
march to the far-of rugged regions, where
Nature is bleak and inhospitable where the
scan1y streams and the rocky earth seem alike
unpropitious 10 manufacturing and CONNER
cial enterprise? Is il because the energy of
man rises with the obstacles which are inter
posed in his path, and takes stern delight In
wrestling with and overcoming the adverse
forces Of nature: Is il because the sharp
spur has never been applied 10 our facul-
ties. that we have so long Jagged in the
rear of manufacturing enterprise? We
have exhibited energy enough In other
pursuits-iR the unproductive fields OF
notifies and war-but manufactures and COM
merce have always langushed In the midst OF
the most unparalleled advantages for their
development. We have been rich in political
wisdom, brilliant eloquence, and keen dialec-
tics. but mechanical utility and practical
improvements in social existence nave never
taken deep root in our soil. Our condition has
resembled that Of the long period when closed
when modern history began, when lmperial
intellects were polishing angles oil thouSht III
OBSCURE cloisters, and valiant knights Numbered
over the field in magnificent armor, but when
arts and inventions were esteemed beneath the
dignity OF philosophical and warlike minds
We care not 10 inquire into the political causes
which nave combined with our hereditary
tastes 10 prevent US from becoming a manu-
featuring and commercial people. If we had
made TINS the great object Of our mbition. and
II our Statesmen had uniformly sought
the material development of the South
rather than the distinctions Of Official
greatness, there never could have been INV
legislation promoting the industrial growth
OF one section al the expense OF another. Even
&c IL was, We do not see Why the South should
rot avail itself of tariff as well as the North
We have both the great staples of manufac-
lures and the water power al our own door Il
more genial climate, and innumerable rivers
and harbors, afordng unexampled natural
facilities for communication with all the world.
iei We know, BY n long editorial experience,
inst IL has been Il waste OF words and time 10
la'oAe the South 10 manufacture for itself. Ii
seemed 10 have no faith whatever In its capa-
city 10 supply lis own wants. Itlooked abroad,
and chiefly TO the North, for almost every ar,i-