The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1885-02-27
THE FUTURE OF LOUISIANA.

Until within the last few year
the South has been regarded as al
most exclusively an agriculture
country. to the exclusion of manu-
featuring and mining interests;
and the industry Of Louisiana may
be said to be confined to the pro.
duction of sugar, cotton and rice
it we except the construction oi
railways within the last few years
But the construction of railroads
and other causes have developed
many Of the latent resources of the
South, by opening up her immense
forests Of superior timber to the
manufacture of lumber, bringing
to notice her coal and iron fields
and introducing skilled industry /;
and We think brighter day of
prosperity is dawning upon our
State, if our people will only profit
by the opportunity now offered of
bringing our advantages promi-
nently before the world and invi-
ting the investment of capital in
the building Of manufactures, par
ticularly cotton mills, saw mills,
furniture manufactures, sugar re-
fineries and such other manufacto-
ries as can be furnished with raw
material that is produced or can be
obtained from our own soil in such
abundance as to justify their en-
ployment.
1t has been fully demonstrated
that cotton manufactures can be
made more profitable employed in
the South than the North, although
it appears to the thinking mind
that such demonstration was not
necessary, as common sense should
teach that, other things being equal
manufactures should be located
where the raw material is produ-
ccd. But the production of the
raw material u not by FAR all the
advantages we possess over the
North. Operatives are not expo
sed to such severe winters; our
navigable streams are never frozen
up and cheap transportation to
foreign markets interrupted; the
Mississippi river and its tributa-
rics and the opening of new rail-
ways brings US into direct commu-
nication with the great Northwest, |
from whence We draw.our supplies
IT meat, corn and -four, and which |
should draw its supply of cotton |
goods, sugar and rice direct from |
rs. and which will do SO If we will |
manufacture and prepare them for
market.
We would not have our agricul-
ural friends abandon their occu-
'ation to engagein manufacturing
'ursuits for that would result in
uin- but we would have them in
lite manufacturing industry and
invest their surplus capital in such
Enterprises
It is ever being said, that we
ave not the capital to invest in
lanafhctories. Doubtless it III
cry true that there is not sufficient
apital 70 build and operate all
actories needed, but there il
nough money to invite other cap
alto invest : sufficient amount
prove onr good faith to those !
leking snch N investment and in
noe them to come among rs with /
leir capital, their skill and their l
,cryy. IN
The New Orleans ExpositionwiH '
tract attention to the State, but Q
# to "a sections of it unless those }
ctiOne are represented there, or =
AXE = effort to bring thsmselvcs 9
to notice AID presentto the world
nae q their local advantages. y
has I bright future just =
sd aud those localities whose :
ople ~ tie most 70 hasten that 9
= and make thenselves known =
TO outside world will be the :
4 - mp ~ fruits aud enjoy Q
. blsnsings o. prosperity. 2 :,
Ihie = ! progressive age, : pfo- !.
1l!e year- koEyiom y being !. !.