The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-08-05


1t is useless todisguise tile Obvious E.ct
that Jack on is BY no means In prosperou.
condition at present. Unless some enlieht-
ened and energetic measures be adopted. thu
future of the city win be even more deplor-
able than its present condition. hut. il Il
demonstrable that we have the power to
make jackson large. populeus and pros
porous town.
In days past before the Railroads which
lnterseet here were constructed, tile town
engaged an extensive and remuneratiye
trade with vast scope OF agricultural ter
rltory, east, west, north and south. The
construction of those roads, however. BY
tile inevitable laws of trade, drew away
from US this traffic which was building w
the city and now, mere glance at the map
show that, comparatively, very small dis
trict Of productive territory finds market
here. Brandon, on the east Byram and
Terry on the south, Clinton and Bolton. on
the west ard Canton and other shipping
points on the north, have absorbed most 81
the trade once possessed by jackson. We
are not complaining about this. The result is
natural, and was not unanticipated. Agri-
cultural trade formed the basis of our pros
perity here. That basis is gone. Stripped
of the rich cotton trade, aud having; really.
no other adequate basis in the shape of man
ufactures to rely upon, any one must know
that the tendency of the town will be down
ward, hereafter, unless we do something to
prevent that result. We. know that there
are some fine buildings now in process OF
erection; but we believe the improvements
TO be expected, under existing circumstan-
ces, Will not more than supply the loss oc-
curing from natural decay and dilapida-
ton.
No doubt the accomplishment of political
reconstruction will help the city very much
mat result attained capital and population
VIII How here; and all interests will thereby
be revived and encouraged. But, we need
something more. We must turn our attcn-
ton to manufacturing the great Southern
staple. We must establish factories on a
large scale, and bring here many hundreds
of operatives. We must take steps to intro
ducc and encourage the prominent mechan-
ical arts. We should build up, on solid
and adequate foundation, two first class in
situations of learning, male and female.
These measures inaugurated, we would have
a new basis for prosperity, and Jackson
would become a large, populous and wealthy
city.
The natural advantages of the CITY are
very great. A beautiful central situation in
alocallty salubrious and healthy, with an
abundance of water and fuel, and located
whence railroads radiate in every direction,
there is no point in the State where manu-
featuring could be more protitably conduct
ed. 1t is the best point in the State for edu-
cational purposes.
We are aware, of course, of the fact that
our resident population have not enough
spare capital to carry out the plans above
suggested. But we can, at least. initiate the
policy, and rely upon our own improved re-
sources hereafter, and the incoming of
northern labor and capital to develop the
measures. There is no place in the State where
an enterprising northern company of CAPT
talists could realize higher profits by manu-
featuring than in Jackson. Northern CAPT
tai is superabundant. 1t is seeking profita-
BILE investment. Let us take some steps to
proUe to our Northern friends that they can
find a highly lucrative investment for their
money here, in the city of jackson. Let US
encourage them to come, and when they
come, let us welcome them socially, and
make their Southern home agreeable and
pleasant; and let MS take an interest in their
business and aid them in their progress. In
this way the old citizens of jackson may
secure for the city higher degree of pros
perity than il has heretofore attained. With
out such steps, Jackson is doomed as a busi-
ness place.