National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-07-05
SOUTHERN INDUSTRIES.

There seems to be n ray of common sense
stealing in upon and radiating the South
ern mind as to the subject of fostering and
building up the industrial interests of that
section. This is a most gratifying indica-
ton, and points to the only path which
leads out Of sectional poverty into fields of
advancement i'll population, wealth, and
permanent prosperity The great and al
most fatal mistake made by the Southern
people when they became convinced that
they must surrender the cause of secession
and rebellion was that they did not accept
the situation honestly, and betake them
selves assiduously to the work of repairing
their broken fortunes and to the rebuilding
of their material interests through
gradual but determined development of
their internal resources. IT, when the sur
render was made at AppOmattox, the brief
admonition Of General GRANT that they
should keep their arms and horses
and return to their homes-till their
farms, build up their business interests, and
become good and industrious citizens, had
been accepted and appreciated for its full
worth, and its counsels had been reduced to
practice, the South to-day would be on the
high road TO sectional prosperity. The loss
of slavery rs an incident of the war was in
one sense severe blow TO the resources of
the South and in another blessing. The
South had a covenant with the earth and
its tillage for its success and prosperity. Its
manufactures were comparatively few, in
proportion to its territory and population.
II relied upon the product of the soil, titled
by servile hands, TO make its wealth, and
this reliance had not disappointed their ex-
pectations. The few in the South were
rich while the masses were poor, and where
the agencies of agriculture were impaired
the rich became poor while the poor became
poorer.
If the South had not built so largely upon
slavery, it would have been much stronger
in its change of condition. If it had had
its WOODEN and cotton mills-if it had man
ufactured its own clothing, including hats
and shoes--if it had manufactured its own
agricultural implements, its machinery, car
riages, locomotives, &c,-it would have had
population Of skilled and independent
artizans to lean upon instead of a depend
ent multitude to support This view of the
case seems to impress itself with some force
upon the Southern mind ut this late day,
and it is TO be hoped that it will make such
lodgment as will lead to n revolution in the
future and bring lasting benefits TO the
country. If the South had had any other
prop than slavery to sustain its interests
prior TO the rebellion, the chances of that
great catastrophe would have been mate
rally lessened. thinking, intelligent
population, such as usually cluster around
well-managed, enterprisng, and extensive
manufactures, are not Of the class that
would have encouraged secession, rebellion
and war The victories they seek are those
of peace, and they would have 80 far leay.
ened the Southern loaf that the attempt tC
oycrtum the Republic would never have
perfected itself in war, but the spirit of dis
content would have satisfied itself with the
inalienablc right 10 murmur and sough
peaceful solution Of the knOtty problems
that have cost the nation SO much of an
guish and treasure.
But the country has passed through tho
thlOes of revolution and has conserved tn,
Republic. Now it should be the purpose o
every citizen to contribute by counsel an,
example to the work of rebuilding tn
broken columns Of our National unity ant
power thus bringing back at the earlies