Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-04
4 Lesson -Iearned-MO:e- to Learn.

The farmers of the South, taught by
the bitter experiences Of recent years that
"all cotton kept most of them poor,
haveat length turned their energies to-
wards solving the problem whether the
South could not support herself. The
reward of their Iabors in the shape of
splendid yields Of grain. and other food
crops is a sufficient answer, and the
Southern farmer, who hereafter finds
himself at the close of favorable season
dependent upon the granaries of the
West for supplies, will have only to
blame himself for his folly. 1t has been
shown, though thinking people never
doubted it for a moment, that the South
can support herself, and at the same
time produce an ample surplus of cotton,
the profits of which can be largely in
creased by judicious management.
Another lesson which the Southern
farmer has yet to learn, however, is that
he should not be dependent upon the
North for the implements, machinery,
and other accessories that are required
for the cultivation of his land. Efforts
are making at various points in the
South to supply these articles, and
every additional factory erected for
their manufacture is an added factor in
the work of Southern progress. II farm
ing implements and machinery can be
made at the North, transported here and
sold at price satisfactory to the manu-
facturers, there is no reason why they
should not be made here at a profit and
be sold at less cost to our farmers. The
materials for their construction are
abundant in our section. Skilled labor
can be easily obtained, If not in suf-
fcient quantity at home, it can be
secured from abroad. if once the need
of it is made known.
The fact that the Southern farmer has
made enough from his land to support
his family from the labors of the season
just closing, and with the profits of his
cotton will be prepared to enlarge his
operations, is the strongest argument to
induce immigration that has been ad-
vanced in years. Let the next season
make similar. and, if possible, better
showing, and our waste places will of
necessity fill up Moreover, let the
would-he immigrant know that he will
not only find land here, but also the
means to cultivate it, and he will be the
more ready to cast his lot with us.
To many it may appear that the time
is not yet at hand for new departures. p"
So thought the planter, who, for years
picked his cotton and looked to the West
for his stores. Happily he has changed
his mind and can now mediate upon
his folly, with the calm satisfaction that
it will delude him no more. This change,
we are happy to believe, has been
brought about largely by the persistent
efforts of the press, which, in and out of
season, pointed out to the farmers of
the South the path to true indie
pendence. More remains to be done.
The South has entered upon the high
road to prosperity. Let the press of the
South lose sight of nothing that will con-
tribute to the increase of that prosperity.
Our thriving cotton factories are an ire
fragable argument in themselves for the
diversity of Southern industries Those
industries can be varied indefinitely if
the purpose is formed and the will is
shown to have them so.
The SOuth's one purpose should be to
grow wealthy. With wealth will come
power, and with power respect Every
Southerner should resolve to enhance by
his labors the general good. In doing
SO he Nills advance his own well being
and have The satisfaction of knowing
chat however Ii bred with himself, his
children win rank n the Republic as did
his fathers. This is the lesson that con-
fronts the South, and it remains for the
press of the South to enforce 1t until
it shall have been thoroughly learned.