Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-03-11
For the Spirit of Jcfferson:l
Number Two.

ar. Editor:-A short time since
I was permitted, through your col
umns, to present to the public the
query, 20 Are Charlcstown's Interests
Identical with those of the South %
This elected an article entitled 'sP.
B. p" meaning, suppose, Z" For
the Public Good How anything in
said article could be SO construed, I
confess 1 an unable to see.
Perhaps Minus is one Of the few,
in our community, who are perfectly
willing to sec outside capital invested
in manufactures, but are unable to
realize the fact that to secure the in
vestment of foreign capital, it is ne
cessary that confidence in our re-
sources and location must be shown,
by efforts among ourselves, to estab-
fish and conduct manufactures.
When people fully appreciate the
vast benefits of diversified industries,
they will willingly combine their cap
ital, be it large or small, for their de-
velopment; nor will have to wait long
for it from outside capital-it will
come as surely as the needle seeks the
poles.
Does Minus" for an instant, sup
pose that if the people of Georgia
and Mississippi had entertained and
put into practice, the ideas he adj
vances, viz: that as they were en-
gagged in the production of cotton,
they should confine their energies and
capital to that alone, because they
were familiar with its production, and
not with its manufacture-that they
would to-day present to the world the
wonderful example of development
and progress that they do?
Did they sit down and calmly wait
for the New England manufacturers,
of their raw material, to find out that
they possessed all the advantages for
manufacturing enjoyed by New Eng
land and that the cost of transpor-
tation, and difference in cost of labor,
could be saved by manufacturing
where the raw material is produced,
and large quantities of the manufac-
tured articles are consumed? 1 think
not. If they had, they would have
been waiting yet, because of reasons
which have not time nor space to
name. On tho contrary, they COM
bincd their capital, did not wait for
three persons, with $4,000 each, to
start factory, but one hundred and
fifty with 500 each, combined and
started the boom which has resulted
in what we now see, and which is but
the commencement of the greatness
of the South.
The present sentiment in favor OF
manufactures, promises we'll for our
community. Occupying, as we do, a
position which gives US direct and
quick communication with the South,
East and West, we must sooner or
later occupy the position of manufac-
turcrs, as we'll as producers and con-
sumers. The only question for us is,
will we reach out and reprise that is
offered?
What advantages docs Roanoke
city possess over Charlestown, as to
railroad facilities? Yet she is to have
cotton mill which will cost $500, 900.
Where will the machinery for the mill
be manufactured?
The Rome Goa. cotton mills have
decided to double their capacity, and
will add two thousand spindles and
sixty looms. Where will they gel
their machinery? These are but two
examples of hundreds that could be
mentioned. repeat what said in
first communication /" There is no
factory south of Philadelphia for the
manufacture of the necessary ma
chinery for these mills.
Now, in conclusion, while I do not
wish to detract one particle from, or
place one obstacle in the way of the
enterprises which have been started
in our town, and which 1 bid God
speed-yet do think, and say that,
situated as we are, there is no reason
why we should not only make them
succeed, but start additional enter
prises, which will add to our commu-
nifty wealth and Importance, and that,
too, without interfering with agricul.
tural industries.
Yours, sin futuro,''
PLCs.
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