Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-10-12
SOUTHERN POSSIBILITIES.
HOW Capital May be Attracted
and Enterprise Encouraged.

Selma Times.l
We published yesterday an exceed
ingly interesting interview with John
II. Inman. the successful Southern
millionaire of New York.
Mr.. Inman is a man Of the finest
personal character, and this, in addi-
tion to his great business capacity and
immense fortune, has secured for him
the highest regard and confidence Of
the great business men Of New York
and the North.
Starting with the statement that
there is in New York an unprece-
denied amount of capital idle or bring
ing low interest, he shows that there
are no good opportunities left untaken
in the East, North and West; that
the climate Of the West is especially
f~orbidding and its general condition
unattractive. In the South, on the
other hand, nature is lavish in her
bestowments Of rich soil, mineral
wealth, equable climate andsalubrious
air.
The main drawback of the South
so far, he says, has been a lack OF cap
ital among her farmers, and he very
properly reasons that the fact hat
Southern farmers, in spite of all OPP
posing circumstances, such as scarce
capital and the consequent high rates
Of interest, and profits on advances,
and the new system of labor resulting
from the adjustment OF the slave sys-
tenn, have not only kept their heads
above water, but have actually made
money, is the very best proof that the
South is the finest section for farmers
in America. As soon as capital
comes in that will enable farmers to
get money at low rates Of interest and
supplies at reasonable profits, as
soon as they learn 10 diversity crops,
to run q farm like a business nan does
his store, as does the Northern farm
er, the South will be the most pros
porous country on earth.
How can this be done? Mr.. In
article tells us. We have the
railroads, which he truly says are the
greatest agents in the development of
a section. And the principal ones
are, we believe, in the capable man
agement that he demonstrates to be
to their fullest usefulness,
and are inclined to make ofthis place
one of those great interior harbors"
Of which he speaks. But what can
do IN ASSIST In the first place. be
says, we must stop eroaking. The
South is rich, prosperous, and men
working actively and intelligently are
making money. If you are not, it is
your own fault. But if you are not
.Juccessful, don't throw cold water on
svery movement about to make some
one else successful. Encourage all
such innovations, and you will soon
see that the prosperity Of others will
react in your favor. The success of
the mass brings success to the indl-
Be full OF the future great
ness of your country, your section,
your town. Impress yourself and
you will impress Others. Such a
made Atlanta, Nashville and
New Orleans what they are,
and will make them whatever they
will be. When you meet travellers
from those places, they are enthusiast
tic, even unto a ridiculous extreme, as {
We sometimes think, about their
but their predictions are usu- l
lily fulfilled. Initiate their example, I
in yourself, and others will be- ]
ieve in you. Treat them as they are I
to be, from the evident I
standing they have at their homes 5
live them information. Show them !
THAT advantages your place has. and T
-et them to invest. Show them your I
.ppreciation Of what they can do, and !
recognition Of the need Of its
icing done. I
Again, encourage the great railway 5
ordinations reasonably. Let them {
,et hold Of the short local lines, and :
incorporate them in their systems. I
The railroads, as Mr.. Inman says, are Z
be creatures Of TIE country. The
ountry makes them whatever they
.ecome, and il Is sense and justice, a.
Tell as policy. TO encourage them, and
nable them 70 make the eouatry az
settled, as fully developed and S
rosperOus as their dictates Of inter
st plainly demand Z