Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-07-07
The South.

ID. 81
Under tho cncrsizing, influence of good
government, tho material prosperity of the
South is assured. At no distant day, without
argument or proof of their remunerative
characters, manufactures aud machine shops
will spring up and pros per, bringing inorcas.
ed capital and labor to enrich this favored
section. Our people understand that manu-
featuring is rcmuperative, and tho want Of
capital is the only reason why they have not en-.
gagged in it. Prior to the war, tho entire
profits of Southern industry were invested in
slaves, and hud become in value an immense
amount. In the course of nature, these died
from disoasc and old age, all their earnings
being represented by the young generation,
which, likewise, went tho way of all Aesh
There could be no increase of wealth, save
by tho increase Of that class of population,
which, in reality, consumed three four,hs Of
its own labor. The slave owner was always
hard pressed for money, and in consequence
continued to cut down and wear out his land
in order to keep his head above water aud
piCfChI lhC oalC VI itS SluSCS, w u eau all
now see the folly Of slavery, and all willingly
testify that it has been curse to true pros
perity. AT the close Of tho war, aheShe
earnings of preceding generations were HSept
away, aud We were left without money or
banks, our stock thrice dccimated and our
farms i'll bad condition. Notwithstanding
the political confusion of the past few
years, and the many difficulties our people
have been compelled to meet and overcome,
no one can deny but we have made rapid prog
rcss towards new and permanent basis of
prosperity. In the fall our cribs and smokc
houses arc filled with the staff Of life, our
depots and railroad stations are crowded with
cotton, aud our cities and towns arc supplied
with merchandise. Nearly all our citizens
have some spare money to employ in improv.
ing their farms and educating their children
We cannot but hope for prosperous future,
whom the last few ycarshuvc exhibited such vi.
tality and energy on the part of our citizens in
the face of so many material and political
difficulties. The establishment Of manufac
tories and the opening of new avenues to
wealth will come of themselves. Already, in
some portions of our State, thcro is some
surplus capital. This must and will increase
annually. In what way will it be employed
First in improving our lands, which will add
to their products And then how ? There
are no slaves to be purchased and, necessity
will prompt other Investments. Does not ma
turc in this section suggest the choice? Look
at our water powers, our timber the finest in
the world ; our mild, but salnbrous, clmat,
permitting labor every day in the year; oul
fertile soil yielding, not only the staple, cot
ton, in abundance, but equally favorable, to
the growth Of corn, oats, hogs cattle and
horses amply sufficient for twenty times ,he
FfssfHfaf RegGtIbHR gGt bGa tonsccrrng US With
portion of tho civilized world by land ane
water and who can doubt but the creation
of capital will insure the establishment OF
manufactures and general prosperity in every
branch of productive industry. In our pres
cnt disordercd poitical condition, capital will
be clutious Of any Investment, but as peace
and security become moro sure these results
must follow