The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-05
HOME EN- rERPRISE.

Before the war the people of the South, and
especially of Louisiana, were fully satisfied
with the reputation given to them abroad o.
being eminently an agricultural people; they
needed no other source of revenue than that
afforded by the rich products Of their soil.
From them was obtained all the cotton need
ed by manufacturers in this country and
most of that used abroad. Sugar and rice
were grown in abundance and gave annually
handsome yield, enriching as well the mer-
chant anu factor as the planter.
| Each year princely fortunes were amassed
| by thousands whose plantations were king
doms and each owner a king in his own
domains. But when the war came on, people
at distance found it necessary for them to
look to other localities for the much-needed
products, and it was discovered that not alone
in the South could these staples be grown.
English and Northern manufacturers
searched diligently to find where else the
necessary material could lie found to supply
their wants and keep their factories going, SO
that at the close of the war it became necessary
for US to consider carefully whether We could
not dispense in turn with the industries of
other ec'ions and other countries and find
at home the enterprise and the skill which
would enable US to be Independent of the
Wanted manufacturers of the North and
England.
1t was ascertainsd that the labor which had
been SO plentiful before the war could no
longer be depended upon and that as a con-
sequence we needed something more to keep
us in our desired position of independence.
In some localities the situation was quickly
perceived, and men applied themselves to the
solution of the problem. In our sister State
of Georgia cotton factories were built, and
have been worked with great success. In our
own State whers rics mills were but few they |
are now many, and sugar reineries are busy
when the crop is great.
The fact of the matter is we must study to |
be anufacturers as we'll as growers. Why
should we send our raw material to other
markets to be worked into shape and form
when by little perseverance and enterprise
We can at our own homes accomplish the
same result?
1t has often been said that Northern re-
liners could buy our sugar and refine it to
greater degree Of excellence than we can here;
hat the syrups sent US from the North are
much better in quality than we can make
lere. Home manufacturers and merchants
re not. however, disposed to admit this, and
rgue that most of the syrups and sugars
ent to this m arket from the North are not
ure; that they are adulterated sufficiently to
nable Northern manufacturers to sell them
much lower prices than our merchants de-
hand for their articles. It would certainly
Q more reasonable to suppose that we who
ave the material at our very doors could
ork it into as good if not better shape than
aose who are dependent upon the crops G
OF miles away, and sell it fully as G
heap, if in fair competition. This industry c
slongs of right to this State, and our mer-
lants should look to it that it is retained s
nd utilized here. o
The sooner we awaken to the fact that it is v
ot only better, but absolutely necessary, for !
to place ourselves in condition to supply n
II own wants instead of depending upon II
hers to aid as, the sooner will we be abe to
Ike another and holder step towards our fu- 81
re prosperity and independence. 81