The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-12
MANUFACTURRs.

There is nol'branch of industry which
should engage the attention of the Southern
people at this time so much as that Of man
ufactures. ! 1t is true that they are an agri-
culturalands pastoral people and have but a
very limited knowledge of the management
and profits arising from such occupations;
still it is "a fact which cannot be disputed
that very large dividends have been and are
now being realized by this industrial branch.
The people Of New England have grown
rich by their manufaetOries, and yearly de-
rive very large profits from this source alone.
Indeed, without them they. would become
very poor, as it is fact that their natural
advantages of soil and climate could not
yield them q generous support. Such being
the case, they have been driven by necessity
to invest their money and employ their skill
and energies in the production of fabncs
and useful machinery. The results have
been most satisfactory and encouraging, al
though the raw material had to be trans
ported to their establishments from remote
places and at heavy cost.
But our people could start ont with inn
mense advantages; just at their doors gen.
erous nature has provided them an abund-
ant means for the production of the raw
materials. Water power ample for the pro-
pulsion of the machinery of hundreds of
manufactures, is at their very doors. The
cost of transportation to distant points
would be saved and added to their gains.
The field is large, and the surety Of success
should stimulate our people to instant ac-
ton. li-.d h.nov -sia'n iaf "tt +"
2 Cotton yarns, cloth, leather, shoes, har-
ness, hardware, hollowware, crockery, car
riages, buggies, wagons farming imple-
ments, cotton seed and castor bean oil, and
variety of other articles could be success
fully and very proitably made. But one Of
the greatest advantages has not yet been
mentioned. 1t is one thing to make money,
but a far more important one to keep it at
home. IN the production Of cotton under
the present ruinous custom of buying every
thing from abroad with which it is culti-
waited, and in most cases the food for subsis-
tence while it is being raised, the money
paid to the producer cannot be kept at home
but is paid over to the merchant who sends
it off to the North to meet his bills as they
fall due. The consequence is that our peo-
pie derive no real and permanent benefit
from all their lsbors. They would DO,
many of them, equally as we'll and save
much trouble of mind, if they would work
for their board and clothing. But suppose,
instead Of persisting in this ruinOus course,
they should invest their money and labor in
manufactures, what would be the RESULT
They would make and realize a, great deal
more money, and would not be compelled
tosend it off for the various articles which
are now purchased elsewhere The money
would be kept at home to benefit our own
people; each factory would give employ
ment 70 large number of operatives, who
with their families, would settle IN the
towns and villages, build houses, open lit
tie farms and gardens, and spend the money
which they would earn with our own peo-
pladw Hundreds of thousands of dollars
would be kept in circulation at our doors
property would improve, wealth increase,
population flow in, schools and col
leges be established. The poor wo-
men and children who now too often
are neglected and suffer for food
and clothing to some extent, would get
steady employment at good wages, and
earn. in the aggregate large sums Of money,
and thus become producers, and benefactors
to their families and the community, instead
Of being non producers and consumers.
Thrift would follow idleness, plenty would
take the place of want and general pro-
gress in the arts and sciences would be the
inevitable result. These results are not
the mere visionary. specuIations Of fancy,
but founded on facts which the statistics of
the country viii prove true.
At some future time, when We have more
space, and not snch q pressure upon our
columns. data win Be given, showing the
percentage derived from manufactories and
tie dividends declared by various companies
IN the meantime il is most earnestly
hopot that men of business and energy wiz
invesligite the natter for themselves, and
aOe in accordance xith the facts- Each
manufacturing company, properly managed,
i = blessing 70 tie commun7ty.
---.-.....s.....@