Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-01-30
ThA nntiaa of tho Hour.

MR.. EDITOR. lu my nrht COmnuuiCa-
ton spoke Of what God has done for us
in climate, soil, river and forest, giving
us, in many particulars, advantage over
any other locality in our great country;
and simply hnted why they have not
been improved, not wishing to make re-
Elections on past errors, but desiring to
furnish present relief If we have lost
deal we must play the cards given us.
So, if we have given all our means and
energies to the one crop-cotton and
negro-until we are comparatively bank
rupt. Now that the negro is superior to
the white man, suppose we let him alone,
and resolve that we can not only live, but
become rich and prosperous without him.
How we are to do this is the matter |
propose to talk Of
That Memphis to-day is too large for
the business she has to do is fact patent
to all; aud what we want especially is
not more laborers, but more labor. Can
this be furnished at paying rates2 l say
it can. How, then is the question.
Not by quarreling with capitalists,
and complaining that they have used
their means as their best judgment has
dictated, but by showing to them and
all the benefits that would ensue from the
use of at least portion in manufactures.
| am not proposing any over.grown es-
tablishmeut, but multitude of small
beginnings, fostered by the use of capi-
tai, and in few years they will be more
than selfsustaining. What shall they be
This question has two answers. First
the articles that would find the most ready
sale in our immediate neighborhoed /;
next, that for which we have the raw
material for immediate use, and requiring
least means to start it. And here let me
say that will not propose to start any.
thing that cannot produce competent
hands, thoroughly acquainted with all
the details. So that, in reality, there
would be mo- experiment, but a living
fact, simply having transferred the labor
and machinery from the cities supplying
us with those goods to our own city; thus
requiring by their presence part of the
vacant houses that we now have, and
adding customers to our retail traders.
Well, first, then, suppose we can find
a man that has ten thousand dollars to
invest, l will find competent, reliable
man, who will take hold of hub, spoke
and felIoe, ax-helve and plow-handle
establishment that will pay; and there is
demand for all these articles.
Who wishes to invest in broom-fac-
tory ?-yes, broom factory. The corn
is easy of culture, and will grow on our
lands most proli6cally. But there is no
market for it here, and consequently
none is now grown. But, if any one will
put FIVE thousand dollars in the business,
it will pay so per cent per annum. l
will agree to find the operatives, fully
conversant with the business. In an
other paper l propose to speak of furni-
ture, chairs, etc. And here let me say
that our foundry men to-day challenge
competition in their department. There
is large establishment already in the
city, which, last year, put up quite a
number of iron store-fronts that, for
complete finish, are rarely equaled in
any city. And that firm, and their co.
adjutors, have driven all foreign compe-
tition from us and to-day that business
is fixed fact, to the lasting honor Of
the men whose energy and skill intro
duced and matured it.
WM. FARRIs.