Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-18
COMMERCE AND MANU-
FACTURES.
suggcstions to the chamber OF Com.
merce.
I-GESERAL PRINCIPLES AND INTRODUCE
TORY REMARKS.


TORY REMARKS.
Organized bodies, to be effective, must
act on general principles. II political
right and justice are their objects; fire.
ligious, morality is their aim; If COM
mercial, the laws of trade and economy
are their guide.
The Chamber of Commerce, being an
organized body, should act for the gen
eral good of the interests combined in
its organization. and not for the "pri-
vate benefit" of any particular party.
If Brown lays before you plan OF
selling dry goods, Smith plan OF
buying cotton, Jones a plan of run
ming railroads, Robinson q plan Of
constructing steamboats,, all different
from the plans of other persons engaged
in the same lines Of business, how absurd
would it be TO sanction or approve"
the plans of Brown, Smith, Jones and
Robinson.
There should be no deviation from the
general course of competition, which is
said to be the "life of trade" Why,
then, favor Shavers plan of immigration
more than sharper's2 Why favor any
plan, knowing that immigration is gov
erned by the demand for labor? If
Shaver chooses to buy land in large lots
from landowners and sell it in small
lots to immigrants, he deserves "appro.
val" no more than merchant who buys
a bale Of calico and sells it by heyard;
if Sharper owns land, and is willing to
give a portion of it to settlers gratis in
order to increase the value of the other
norton, his scheme needs sanction"
no more than that of a grocer VINO makes
handsome presents" to Biddy, Susan
and Sally in order to gain their custom.
The plans of Shaver and Sharper may
differ; but their objects are alike-to
make money. And this is the object OF
all men in trade. One scheme, therefore,
ia entitled to sanction " or approval
no more than another; but all schemes
should have fair trial on general prin-
ciples.
Emigration has two levers-labor and
inducement 10 labor. These set it Ego.
ing" like watch. But you must make
the levers work by proper machinery.
You must have wheel of factories and
chain of railroads, steamboats, and
ships. To cay to the poorer classes of
Europe--it is always the poorer classes
who emigrate--" Tennessee has the long
est rivers, largest forests and finest soil
in the WORLD" is to tell them what they
partly know; but there is no force in the |
assertion to move them from their homes.
Long rivers, large forests and fine soils
are matters of very little importance TO
men without money. Say to them:
" Here is cotton factory at Brownsville |
wants five hundred hands, tannery at |
Lagrange two hundred hands, brewery
at Moscow three hundred hands, paper
mill at Memphis one hundred hands,"
and you mope them at once. Add that
" wages are higher here than in other
States and land cheaper" and you will
in short time have a surplus supply of
emgrants to send into adjoining States.
Let the farmers of Shelby wake up"
and say: 1--WE want FIVE thousand la
borers to cultivate our lands" and they
will be here in six weeks; and in twelve
months after there will be FIVE thousand
additional homes 10 this county.
The first lever Of emigration is en-
ployment. That attracts the European
IRON bis home hther. The second lever
s good ardges-the inducenent to labor
which enable workman to save some
Of his earnings, and in little time buy
D homestead for his family. Start them,
by putting a wheel of factories in motion,
md each link in the chain of railroads,
and ships follows in success
ZION without the least difficulty.
Nature has gifted Tennessee with wood,
water and mineral resources in album
lance. But OF what value are they to
on-manufacturing people2 None save
heir beauty, which is very poor sub
titute for wealth. If everybody could
i've on air, or money fall from clouds
ike rain, il would be doing an injustice
o Nature to use her "crystal streams
md shady bowers for other purposes
han bathing" and calm repose;" but
IS we neither live or do business 10 this
.ge like the gods of the ancient Greeks,
t seems desirable we should act with
Energy and skill, turning everything to
he best use, making even the smallest
ivulet and tiniest bush sources of profit.
10 the "new order Of things result
ng from the late civil war Chamber Of
Commerce becomes powerful agent in
labor and directing trade
nto its proper channels. 1t should fos-
er every kihd of industry; originate
lew schemes of enterprise; diffuse use
al information on subjects Of interest to
he manufacturing and producing classes;
ielp to organize agricultural and me-
hanical societies; encourage exhibi.
ions of homemade articles; and direct
he people generally how to concentrate
heir means in effecting whatever is
necessary for the welfare of the whole
community.
will illustrate those ideas
Taller