Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-12-01

improving the mode OF con'eS""eo e".'
now. iustead Of the numbering wagon
with its trifling load, jogging along a.
twentv miles n day, the farmor can OBJ
lain Ike services Of the complicated, ye'
nicelv adjusted, steam engine, and have
Al a load The whole produce OF his acres
whisped OF 10 market At the rate o.
twenty miles an hour, an behold i come
snorting back at the same pace with The
value OF that product mas contractors
used TO say TO the late Board Of Aldermen
cash, or its equivalent. The merchant,
in whose hands that produce comes y
equally indebted to mechanical skill and
manufacturing industry for the very
means of carrying on his business ne
| is generally keen-sighted enough TO DIS
cover A market where margin Is TO be
obtained; and IL he chances to be To-
Gated on a bluff, has his choice OF the
seryices of the iron steed, or space in an
other glorious triumph OF manufacturing
| In one Of the numerous floating palaces
which Glide upon the waters that roll by
his door. At length the articles exported,
after passing by consumptive valleys ana
stunted cities, where the population Is
sparse and the hum Of industryis almost
hushed. approaches some large manufac-
turing center, and already the appear
anoe of things have changedi the vil-
lagos are lively and the towns thriving;
thus increasing in life and spirit until the
destined point is reached, where manu-
features on large scale are carried on.
Still the original plan Of beginning 10 q
small way ia adhered to. Capital has not
blotted the small manufacturer out Of ex-
isteuce. Skilled labor is indispensable TO
the successful use of that capital; build
ipes must be prepared aud fitted up, ma.
chiuery invented and Manufactured, all
working smoothly and harmoniously be-
fore the large manufacturer can convert
his cotton into calico. And in that mu-
tual assistance Of capital and mechanical
skill. what noble example for imitation;
what glorious results follow such join
ing of hands; a temple OF industry
erected for the benefit Of the natien;
labor that would otherwise be uncailed
for, and leading life Of vagabondage.
perhaps crime-disciplined and utilized
for the public good towns and cities
thrifty and fourishing; churches aud
school-houses disseminating religion and
education public libraries diHusing
knowledge lecturers instructing in
science. literature and art and all COM
biniug to create and encourage q gener-
ous rivalry in qualifying for the front
rank in the various avocstions OF life.
Thus il is that manufactures subserve
all interests; entering into every rami-
fication of society, benefting all, and by
It's productive powers augmenting the na-
tional wealth. 1t is not only the support
of agriculture, and the mainstsy OF com,
merce but the very body and soul OF real
prosperity.
The truth of these statements is appa-
rent to every intelligent observer. Then
let us ask ourselves how comes 1t that,
knowing the incalculable advantages OF
manufacture, Memphis has so little OF
this body and none at all of this soul OF
permanent prosperity? Is her location
unified for the purpose2 On the con-
trary, she is peculiarly favored in that
way. Are materials 80 scarce that COM
petition would break down any attempt
TO establish manufactures On the con-
trarv they are in abundance. Iron
equal TO any on the continent; coal
that with increased demand would
shortly be brought from various portions
of the State and sold at a reasonable
price; timber of all kinds suitable for the
construction of buildings, steamboats,,
furniture, what you will; and cotton,
which might as we'll be manufactured IN
our midst as shipped off hundreds of
miles and returned to US saddled with
freight both ways, and two or three
profits paid to the middle men through
whose hands it passed, all Of which must
he maid bv the consumers here. Well,
then, if location is excellent, and mate
rial plenty; ifnature has thus favored as;
why are we not enjoying real prosperity
Because we have been too well content
with its shadow; we were satshed to but
partially develop our mineral resources
we were satisfied to receive the value OF
the raw material so long as it was ample
for present purposes; we we're satisfied
to be supplied by others, instead OF pro-
ducing for ourselves. Men of money
maid special court to King Cotton, that
thew might amsss sufficient wealth to
make the vulgar and Ignorant bow down
and worship the golden cali. Bankers
had no means to spare for the establish
ment Of manufactures while the moving
Of the "staple" required SO much;
buildings, machinery and tools were not
the best collaterals, so long as cotton
invoices we're to be had, or county and
city sarip was plentiful. Sufficient for
the day were the profits thereof; until
now. many are beginning 10 see and feel
that there is such thing az mushroom
prosperity. Depending altogether upon
the trade derived from exporting the pro-
ductions of this and neighboring States,
and importing the requisite supplies, has
almost proved fatal to Memphis Other
oities without 1.-THE of the natural ad-
yautaees for manufacturing which she
possesses, can, by the apcpmplstion OF
capital, successfully compete With her for
the carving trade, as is clearly instanced
by the letter Of one Of our railroad super.
intendeuts to the Chamber Of Commerce
but all the capital they could beg, borrow
or steal could never give them equal adj
vantages for many manufacturing pur-
poses, SO that they could not compete
with us With any hope of success, unless
we remain in the dignihed position of
Indifference and ease which has hitherto
made us persist in encouraging agricul-
ture alone, and the commerce which flows
from thst, to the detriment of manufac-
tures-exercising tbs linbs while we
paralizs the body Of true property,
The remedy for the present state Of
things 10 the manufacturing line, is so
apparent that any person can zee what
is necessary. A portion of the capital
aud enterprise OF our citizens, coupled
with the energy and determination for
which they are characteristic, together