Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-03
Memphis Manufactures

rely upon her own resources and build
up manufactures by the energies of our
own people, rather than hope to draw
from other points large establishments
which already exist there.
First, then, any movement on our part
that would have a tendency 10 change
our pursuits oflabor will be looked upon
with a very jealous eye by those estab.
lishments In the Northern States, and
every effort made to crush us in our
infancy. And whyP First: Because
we are not only destroying THAR market
with us, but will become competitors
with them in other markets in very
little while; and, by our superior loca-
tion, giving us large vantage ground in
easy distribution, as well as command
ing the raw materials at much less rates
than they can. Hence every instinct of
selfpreservation impols them to action
to control our market. 1t may not be
generally known that the iron men Of
Cincinnati have put up iron fronts in
Memphis for less money than they would
or did do the same class of work at
home. And why ? Simply to control
our market But, thanks to the energy
and perseverance of our iron men,
we have driven all injurious com
petition from our goodly city in the
heavier articles, and with sSfficient
working capital, will drive all foreign
competition from us. And why2 Be
cause we possess a combination of natu-
raj resources to greater degree than
any other locality in the country. And
the time is not distant when Tennessee
blooms will not be sent to Pittsburg and
Cincinnati to be worked for our use.
But we will work our own iron with our
own coal. God speed the day when that
load will be off our shoulders Mr.. Edi-
tor, / never pass that pretty little gem of
ours, on Main street, and admire its
beauty, and watch Young America, with
his nurse, or the playful squirrel as be
springs from limb to limb, but / am filled
with pride and admiration. But, stop
ping to touch the fence, the sensation is
changed to cold, cold as iron. Why,
yes, the fence is iron, the pattern is very
pretty, very appropriate. What one Of
our iron founders put up that fence, |
ask--they deserve credit for their skill;
it speaks we'll for your ability. But stop,
sir, that fence is not Memphis produc-
ton. No, sir, tits not. We sent to Phil.
adelphia for that fence, when our own
foundries stood ready to do the work at
the same price, but would not pay
bonus. never see the fence but / blush,
for the policy that has been pursued
by my State. And is this suicidal policy
to be continued? =? Are we going to con-
tinue to send elsewhere for what can be
made in Memphis just as good and just
as cheaply. If we are, would it not be a
good idea to move Memphis up to Gin
cinnati or Chicago ? Why sirs, to-day,
boat loads of dressed lumber, sash, doors
and blinds are being brought to our
city and are being bought and sold here,
while hundreds of our own mechanics
are doing nothing, cannot get work, and
many of their families are really suffer
ing. And we. as people, are purchas-
ing our goods, our houses, our almost
everything from rival cities. Is it right
and for our true interest? Is this policy
not robbing our own children? Many
persons are not apprized of the fact that
hose goods spoken of above as we'll as
many other articles are sent to us at q
ess price than they can be bought at in
heir own cities. Three. .fourths of all the
urniture that comes to us is made and
hipped expressly for our market; and
ct one of you go to the factories in Gin
innati, and you cannot buy as low as
'ou can here, for reasons above stated.
low, sirs, protest most solemnly in the
lame and behalf of those poor, helpless
title ones, whose parents are thrown
ut of employment by this poor
uicidal policy. Iprotest in the name of
he widows and orphans, whose all is in
ested in this section. l protest in the
anne and in the behalf Of honest toll.
rotest in the name Of sectional interest,
ectioual pride, and in the name of all
hat is dear to me in life, or to the thou
ands who are now coming upon the stage
action those boys who are now ready
nd want to take hold and make for them
elves an honest living. They are anx-
,us to give enterprise to their own city
nd country. But you deprive them of
. Why, sirs, all men cannot be mer-
hants, nor do they wish to be. There are
lore than two thousand boys to-day In
nr city, who would be proud of the op
ortunity Of doing something by way of
in its various branches.
ut you won't let them by your policy
on drive off your enterprise to
stant fields and harsher climes. Your
olicy is beggaring your section, depre-
ating your estates and driving of your
lluable population. Win you stop it,
III you change yoar programme, will +,
ou think, will you reason on what con- !