The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-01-19
Can the south Become n Manufaetur-
ing Couutryf'f iiF

ing Countryfr f'
In this day OF sore calamity to the people OF
the cotton growing States, it becomes every
one, whie he il so heroicaly enduring the
| can, any possible plan of relief, consistent
with tho good order OF, society. Wc may not
now, IN the language OF Hhskspeare's mixed
metaphor, attempt to '1ake mp nrms against
ssa OF troubles, and by opposing, end
them" We must struggle on not the less
nanfuli?, however. if We would SEQ our oouu-
try prosperous and happy, and leave to our
| children an inheritAilce.of freedom and inde-
With most OF us, agriculture liz our voca-
tion, and must continue to be, and how to
make it yield the best returns is, or should be,
our constant study; buE are there not other
employments better suitedt to many Of our
people. which might prove helpful friends to
agriculture, powerful patrons to our staple
product, bonntiful benefactors to our people.
| and magnetic influences to'the worthy immi-
grant TO cast his lot among us2 1t has be On
said that no nation can attain to any conside-
rable eminence whose prosperity depends
upon any one employment; st would seem.
therefore, to be the part OF wisdom. to di.
versify our industrial pursnits, and whilst the
| sturdy husbandman continues to gather from
his broad acres the ailken fleece Of our great
southern staple, the swiftly moving spindle
should twist 1t into thread, and tho restless
little shuttle should construct it into those
thousand beautiful fabtics which 80 wonder
fully enhance it's value. lr.
The water power OF our streams, now for
the most part running to waste, is literally
inDalculable; tho advantages ot our mild and
ealubrlous climate unsurpassed; the labor
suited to the work, and seeking employment,
abundant; tho compensation to the oapit a!ist
especially tempting; and the general good to
the country sufficient to satisfy the bepevo-
lent aspirations OF the purest patriot or phi
lantlropist. Are there any reasons why the
spin her own cotton? II so, what are they,
| and how may they BIO met? The first that
will probably be urged is tho want Of capital.
This is much losS Formidable than At first
sight would appear. Tho site and adjacent
land Tor all requisite uses would. in mauy
places, bo given gratuitously; building mate
rial OF the best quality would, in most cases,
be found on the spot; and contractors mny be
found ready to take portion OF tho expense
OF construction in the stock OF the comp pany.
AS to tho cash required, let it be domon-
| strated that The annual or semi. annual divi-
dends will exceed the prevailing rate of inter-
est, and the cash portion OF your capital will
be readily forth. coming But. says q cau-
tious philosopher, tho condition OF the South,
both financially and socially, il too unsettled;
your officials are too corrupt; yonr Legsla-
ture too ignorant; your tnxos too high. Evcry
word true, but these evils do not bear any
heavier on manufactures than upon any other
property i'll the South; indeed, our Solons
have, on more than one occasion, exhibited
wish to encourage such enterprises by ex
empting them from taxation for q certain pc
riod. The official and social evils will effect
their own cure in time, and the organization
OF such companies as should be formed for
tho purposes proposed, would prove to be
powerful auxiliaries in accomplishing 30 de-
sirable an end.
What would be some of the obvious bene.
lcial results from the introduction, moro ge-
nerally. OF cotton manufacturing establish
ments through the Southern States? A home
market for our produots, employment for
m .ny OF our destitute poor, who would con.
stitute large portion Of the operatives. Un-
der tho sheitering roof Of the school house,
aud the church. would gather tho children OF
ignorance and vice; habits OF industry and
economy would tako the place Of idleness and
wastefunoss; there would be more OF sobriety
and intelligence, social culture. comfort and
with them demand for other mechanical
employments, arts and artisans; bringing
more wealth, a larger population, less taxa
tion wiser legislation. ard less official roguery
and corruption. II these views arc we'll found
cd and they are Mt east honestly ente ertained,
how strongly they appeal to every feeling Of
our botter nature, while, at the samo tim .,
they address, themselves to our stern judg.
ment and practical consideration.
RUSTICUs.