Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-08-18
COTTON MILLS IN THE SOUTH.
THE REASONS WHY THEY CANNOT FAIL
TO PAY.
address Of President II p Yummctt,
of the Piedmont EuctoYw

of the Piedmont Factory
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the
State Agricultural and Mechanical Society
and of tho State Grange: The subject
which has been assigned to INC for somo
remarks aud suggestions OH this cccasion is
one that has recently been attracting con-
siderable attention throughout the South
ern States, and is one which, if practicable
and profitable, as many suppose it to be, is
of vital Importance to the people and to
the country.
THE RESOURCES OF TIE SOUTH.
ihe most important matter to be deter
mined BY all communities is to ascertain
correctly and intcIigently what their uatu-
raj resources and advantages arc, aud the
most practical way of developing then.
Ordinarily and properly, the fertility of tic
soil, combined with tho climate, uud their
ndeptability to the production of such crops
as are necessary for human existence, is the
primary inquiry. Fisrt that the population
may be sustained, and second, that the sur
plus of capital and labor which they may
possess may bc used ia producing surplus
of such products as can be sold elsewhere
to the greatest advantage, by which their
capital may be increased aud their general
condition improved AS capitaI accumu.
latcs Investments are made. The natural
inclination Of agricultural communities is
to increase their individual landed estates
and afterwards invest in such properties us
is likely to enhance its value, and at tic
same time make good return upon the
capital invested. When sufficient progress
has been made, other developments are
looked to, railroads are built, mining and
man utacturiug interests are developed, and
commerce becomes all element in tho com
munity.
This great and important section of our
common country designated "thc South"
is perhaps unsurpassed by auy other puff
of the civilized world for tho richness of
its soil, tho mildncss and hcalthfulness Of
its climate and the variety of its products,
and DO less SO for the abundance and variety
of its mintrals and facilities for manufac-
turing aud converting its great staples into
goods to be scut and sold throughout the
universe. These afford opportunity for high
dcvclopmcnt,,i lin wealth, education, retiuc-
mcnt and all the elements that contribute
to make people great, propcrous aud
happy.
Amongst the many great staples grown
in the South, which is or should be sur-
plus crop, is that of cotton. Its aiaptabil-
ity to the soil and climate, and the cheap
ness with which it eau be produced, gives
to this country almost a monopoly in its
production. Tho whole world is mainly
dependent upon it for supply, and the
chcnpncss with whic! it can be produced
will, in all probability, forever prohibit any
sharp competition in the growth Of it.
With all these natural advantages Of soil
climate, variety of products, Minerals and
facilities for manufacturing, there should be
! Il diversity of pursuits in all parts of the
country, so as the better to utilize and de-
velop the natural resources which nature
has provided. No country ever became
rich, powerful, intelligent, universally pros
porous where the population was engaged
in only ono pursuit. AS facilities have
been provided by Providence so pursuits
should be diversified One part of the
population, perhaps, from natural ipcina-
tiop Should Till the soil ana in doing so,
all tho products natural to it should be
grown other parts Of the population should
pursue other and varied pursuits, such as
intelligcntly present themselves and the
country affords opportunity for pursuing
COTTON MANUFACTURING
Amongst tho many and varied pursuits
specially suited to tho South is the manu-
turc of cotton into yarns, fabrics and other
useful goods, not only for home consump-
ton, but for sale elsewhere in tho United
States where facilities for manufacturing
arc not so favorable, and also for export to
all parts of the world wherever there may
be demand for them, thereby adding the
value of the skilled labor used in manufac-
turing them to that Of the raw material,
and materially increasing its value, 50 that
when the goods arc sold and the money re-
turned for them it will include both the
value of the raw material and the labor,
together with whatever profit the manufac-
turcr may mako upon his investment,
thereby adding materially to tho wealth Of
tho country, largely attributable to labor
which is tho basis Of all wealth.
The most. t.wcalthy, prosperous and power>
FIJI people on earth arc Ithose who have
practically pursued this course, amongst
which may be mentioned Great Britain,
and nearer to us New England. This ap
piea hoI ou'y " colIoh SoouS, oul W cHcIy
variety of goods manufactured whore
skilled labor forms on important element
in their value. The manufacture of cotton
into yarns and fabrics, now ono of the
groatest industries of the civilized world,
is Of recent origin, although by its rapid
progress it now involves many millions of
money in its operations, and furnishes en-
ployment to millions of people aud provides
clothing and fabrics for almost all purposes