Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-10-04
VALUE OR NO VALUE.

We are an agitator in matters that ap
pertain to progress and the arts of peace.
The tagging energies OF men need 10 be
stimulated from time TO time, and the
best means of doing that is to appeal to
their interests Disguise it as we may,
and under whatever cloak we will, men
sre selfish, and-so is woman. Com
munities, when acting in general or
corporate capacity, may practice a de-
gree Of selfshness not al all pleasant to
observe in an individual. The corpora
ton of Memphis, acting for great pop
ulaiion, may institute means of selfpre-
servation The city, viewed as property,
is immense, and owes IFS value to the
population residing within its limits.
Take away the population, and the land
upon which our great buildings stand, is
lowered in value to the sum of its capa-
city to yield commercial products.
In other words. it finds level with the
same amount of real estate in
the producing regions. Its value
is purely the effect Of circumstances.
Change the circumstances and the value
is changed. Drive trade away from us,
and our population cannot subsist here.
1t must divide, wander off and disirib-
ute Itself In proportion as this is the
case, the city falls, property comes down,
and millions Of value, the product of
concentrated capital and energy, is des-
troyed North Mississippi and West
Tennessee created Memphis. That is to
say: They came here to sell their cot
ton and purchase their goods. Merch-
ants came here TO receive, sell, ar ship
the staple, and supply the goods As
the product of cotton increased, the city
grew. Without that staple we should
have no city on these bluffs to-day
Without that staple, or like amount
from some other source it cannot ex-
pect to continue city.
Cotton created Memphis, aud cotton
only can preserve it. We may talk
wisely of manufactures, but it is apparent
that the whole Sonih is 10 be dotted over
and made vocal with the whir of ma
ehinery, turning out the fabrics we now
90 to New England for Every city in
the South is as well adapted to manufac-
lures as this city. 1t is impossible that
we could ever have monopoly in that
branch of enterprise Our position may
give us a monopoly in the cotton trade,
but we must have sagaeity enough 10 zee
our danger, discover our advantage and
be swift to act upon it, The danger is
imminent, and our advantage shonld be
studied. We are on the banks of great
river, whose whole surface has been GOV
cred with products shipped by our hands.
If there is not now SO great feet of
steamers plying up and down, what is
the reason of the difference? There is
not the cotton nor the goods. the equiva-
lent of it, to be transported The first
reason is-ihe production is deficient.
The second is-rivals are stepping in to
compete with us by offering superior adj
vantages to the planter. The contest is
fair, certainly If the planter perceives
his interest to be in another quarter, he
ought to 90 and will 90 there. If other
cities can beat us in the race, they have
a right TO do so. If we cannot make it
the interest of the planter to comehere,
we have no right TO expect his trade.
But how is this to be accomplished By
superior inducements. What may they
be2 Cheaper transportation, smaller
charges and better prices, evidently.
Save money to the co ton planter by I'M
derbidding rivals, and he iciH come here,
and our city will hold its trade Try it.