Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-04-16
Cation nIanufactories.

Cotton Manufactures.
We are glad to know that there Is eul'e
a movement going on IN South Carohn'
and Georgia in forming joint-stock com
Danies and erecting manufactures. Ihe
very great success of those already IN op'
Grafton has called the attention OF Nortn-
ern and home capitalists to the great prom
IN manufacturing the raw ma'eriai in'o
fabrics where it is raised, and Where the
Goods ara worn. Senator SPRAGUE, one OF
A. ,roo1tbiest and most successful manu-
facturers in the United States, has recently
made extensive purchases in the lmmedi'
ate neighborhood of Columbia while al
other points large investments Lave oeen
made, and work has begun upon the cree
ton of proper buildings. We met On more
than one occasion during the past Winter
Northern capitalists or their accredited
agents looking for suitable localities 1ol
the erection of manufactures.
The South abounds in sites for factories.
Labor is cheaper here than at the North'
We have the raw material on the spot, and
Il can pass from the gin house to the spin
die at little expense. We have the energy,
the business capacity, and by proper asso-
citation, the means to erect and to work
prohtably manufactures, and If we longer
remain " hewers of wood and drawers OF
water to the nabobs who own the manu-
factories Of the North aud control the le-
gislation of Congress, tits our own tau:s. Ii
we continue to suffer the expense imposed
by freight, insurance, drayage, storage
weighage, pressage, commissions, ware
house charges, bills of lading and stealage,
which diminish the value of bale OF cot
ton almost one-half. we are paying dearly
Tor our want of energy and enterprise. Inc
time has passed away when we can rely
upon the muscles of men and mules to
build up the wealth of our section. The
advantages of our soil and climate will
avail us little if We permit those less ia
vored in these respects to more than COM
pensate for the shortness Of seasons and
The poverty of soil, by the use of improved
implements in farming and the employ
ment of their capital in manufacturing the
material which we raise into fabrics for our
own use.
We must reverse the old rule. The
mills must seek the cotton. Mahomet
must come to the mountain" Another
profitable season will leave the cotton
planters with surplus on hand Old
channels of investment are closed. Labor
- no longer the subject of trade. Our
people have more than enough lands fol
all their purposes. The planter must also
become the manufacturer. We must NO
longer pay an expensive tribute to the
onterprising Yankee for the privilege OF
bringing back our cotton in the form OF
pictured calicoes, realizing as he does enor'
nous fortunes in the transformation.
We are glad to learn that south of us the
people arc waking up to the vast impor.
lance Of this work. If those Immediately
around US are yet asleep to the advantages
OF manufacturing, it is a satisfaction to
know that their neighbors are not. The
South has more to hope from through this
means than any other. The completion
of railroads and the wealth of her mines
will do much for the South, but nothing
will SO develop the boundless resources OF
her soil and the energies of her people, es
the establishment CT manufactures and
the conversion of the raw material of hel
own fields into fabrics for home consump
ton and articles of foreign commerce
We are sure that this section will one day
become as noted for its manufactures 81
Tor any Of the other vast interests which
are destined to make the Southern States
rich, populous and powerful, and those
States and localities which first appreciate
its importance and take advantage of itt
benefits will lead their neighbors in the
race for prosperity and wealth.