The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-01-01
Invading the South.


General Samuel Thomas, President of
the Thomas Iron Company Of Philadel-
phia, owns 10000 acres of mineral land in
Alabama, and recently determined toerect
a 81 100000 furnace plant on the property.
This is an important movement for the
iron interests of the South. and is one of
the results, doubtless, of the placing i'll the
markets of Philadelphia, New York and
Boston of Southern iron ut less cost than
the same quality of metal can be produced
in the East, after paying the cost OF trans
portation from the Southern furnaces to
Eastern markets. This important move
ment Of eastern enterprise and capital
will constitute forcefnl educator i'll eco
nomic policy. and awaken the people OF
the South to the Importance OF sustaining
the policy which encourages such enter
prises. The Messrs. Noble, who have in
vested millions in iron manufacture III
Alabama. although heretofore identified
with the Democratic party make protec-
ton to American industries paramount,
inasmuch as it not only justilies the de-
yelopment of the mineral wealth OF the
South. but stimulates farm productions, by
furnishing them home market, builds
up towns. and in general enriciles commn-
nifty.
Then Samuel j. Randall, IL protective
Richard of the Lion Heart, is invading the
dominion of the infidel Saracen, Waiter
son, Of Kentucky, in defiance of the threats
and sneers and taunts of this impetuous
Saladin of Free Trade. He will speak
plainly of his beliefs and put the people to
thinking of their material interests in
stead of following such impractical theo-
rists as Watterson and those OF his way
of thinking The indications. indeed.
point to quiet, effective revolution in
public sentiment, not so much because OF its
entertainment as in its expression and
practical enforcement at the otboN.
for many believe in protection, not only
in Alabama and Kentucky, but all through
the South, who have not heretofore sum
moned up courage sufficient to encounter
the opposition Of the Bourbon bosses and
their proscriptive methods. With the en-
couragement of such enterprises as Cen
Thomas is about to inaugurate and the
counsel and arguments of such Democrats
as Mr.. Randall a sentiment will crystalize
and strengthen which will defy the plans
and methods Of political reactionists, who
study only how to get and retain place
and power, regardless of the interests of the
people.
1t will be happy day for the South
when independent thought and expression
and voting are recognized rs the brit h
right of freemen. and not to recognize
them in the spirit of the laws and consti
tuition viii be regarded as u stigma upon
the manhood of man. The South to-day
is for the protective policy if the mora
courage was present to vote the real sentl-
ments of the people. AS it is the few
control the many by appeals to prejudice
and passion. and are thus advanced to
power, where they are accepted as the eN-
ponents of public opinion, to the harm OF
the constituency they represent and the
serve. We trust the time is fast ap-
preaching when this condition of things
will be radically changed and questions
considered and determined on their merits
and men sustained orrebuked, Just as they
feel with and reflect the policy that logi
cally and naturally works for the conmor
good.
We welcome Mr.. Thomas and MI. Ran
dali to the South. and all who think as they
think, and are laboring for the uphuildine
of American industries and the advance
ment of American labor. 1t is with this
policy that the future prosperity of the
South is interviewer. and when it is fully
embraced and practically recognized by
the Southern people our progress and atilu
ence will be assured.