Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-06-18
lEMPHTS APPEAL
FRIDAY, JUNE Is, 1876.
,ar REsULT OF mANUFACTURING.

THE REsULT OF mAhtfASEtAiNS'
The Mobile Register ironically says:
Some hundred years ago there was
come talk in Mobile about having cot
ton factories. It was concluded how
ever. that we were too far from the raw
material. and i. was cheaper to buy
resdv.made shirts from New York.
Eiuce then there have been spssmodie
attempts on the part OF visionary young
men to interest the public mind IN the
matter OF manufacturing cotton, but the
sterling common sense OF our moneyed
men has invariably frowned upon such
Wild adventures. In Georgia, at Au-
Rusta, the people are not so conservative
a. At Mobile. There they have risked
much money upon those Yankee inven-
tons known Is cotton factories, and,
singular to relate, instead OF being de-
frsuded out Of their investments, they
have actually, accumulated money. In
order that our people may understand
the strange infatustion which has seized
upon the good people OF Augusta, and
the wild recklessness with which they
have flung their hSrd-gsined earnings
into the sBindles and wheels OF cotton
factories, we propose to sketch the his
tory Of the doomed enterprise which is
now attracting general attention" This
sarcasm applies with equal force to the
people Of Memphis, who seem to have
a perfect contempt for the absurdity OF
building up cotton factories in the south
and competing with Boston, situated in
the heart Of the cotton region. But to
show what manufactures does for the
community in which they are located,
we have only to refer to the little town
OF. Durham, on the North Carolina rail-
road, in the county Of Orange, 1t
In an example OF what ssgacious
application Of capital and industry will
do for people. Ten years ago Durham
was known only as a wsy-station on the
railroad, and q getting-oft place for the
University of Chapel Hill. To-day it is
literally ia every mans mouth, famil-
lar name all over the United States and
not unknown to the ends Of the earth.
What has made this mighty change?
Nothing but the introduction OF manu-
features. True, it is mainly confined to
one staple. But the manufacture Of
that staple moves the springs Of hun
bred industries. It stimulates the far
mer in the production OF crop which
he sells at good prices. at his very door.
II gives employment to hundreds in the
conversion Of the raw material into the
manufactured article. 1t gives work to
the carpenter in the manufacture Of
packages. 1t gives activity to thou
sand needles in the making of bags. 1t
draws population, and to meet their
wants mechanics are called in to con-
struct houses. The increase OF popula-
ton necesitRtes the increase Of mercsn-
tile establishments, and the necessities
of this increased population beget other
trades, industries and manufactures.
Everybody is busy. Everybody finds
employment. There is no idling, no
lettering, no complaint Of dull times.
These facts should be pondered by the
people Of Memphis and the south. The
future prosperity Of Memphis depends to
8 great extent on her becoming a man
ufscturing city. The attention Of our
business men must be turned to manu-
features as q great source Of wealth; for
in this we occupy vantage ground su-
perior to any southern city. Memphis
should supply the whole country
which contributes to her sup
port the various articles which are
purchased elsewhere. The prosperity
that has been given to the little town OF
Durham will be found in every town
and city that engages in manufacturing.
Everywhere ia the United States cities
and towns have prospered under the
stimulus of manufactures. The moment
manufacturing establishments are fairly
put in successful operation, the whole
country is transformed as il by magic.
Handsome dwellings appear. Large
and comfortable schoolhouses are erect
ed. Banking institutions are formed to
meet the demand for money. Store
keepers drive profitable trade. Farm |
ers find ready sale for their produce. |
Our own city especially illustrates the
wonderful Efficacy Of manufactures in
promoting growth and wealth.