Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-06-19
The Tendency of Manufacturers to
go South.


go South.
Southern World.
The natural advantages of the South
for manufacturing industries are be-
ginning to be felt and appreciated,
both North and South.
In the early history of the cotton
and iron manufactures of the country,
the North got the start, being first set
tlei and the first to accumulate the
surplus capital necessary to inaugurate
manufacturing enterprises. Then, as
years went on, the production of cotton,
tobacco, and cane, by slave labor, be-
came the absorbing and almost ex>
elusive policy of the South. But old
things have passed away--so far as
human systems and prejudices are con-
cerned-and many things new are be-
ginning to be known among us. A
goou many millions of capital has al>
ready flown into the South, and there
is more to follow, and that, too, in the
near future. Our advantages can no
longer be overlooked, nor can they be
successfully discounted by the superior
skill and thrift of our Northern friends.
Economy of methods and practice, and
skill in details of construction and
operation, are not long confined to any
one section, but naturally emigrate to
places where improved natural facili-
ties will give enhanced profits. At the
present time, and tor several years
passed, Southern manufacturers of iron
aud cotton have been able to meet and
to successfully compete with those oil
the Middle and Eastern States in their
own home markets. The astute Yam
KEGS are beginning to argue that if the
Southern mill.owners, with the draw
backs of limited capital, unskilled
operatives deficient home markets-fol
the purchase of needed supplies and the
sale of products-can even now com
pete with them in the worlds markets
, and show better balance sheet at the
end of each year, what will they dc
when they import and permanently
adopt Northern economic methods anC
thrift? The wise manufacturer knows
that decided natural advantages
other things being adjustable, will final
ly assert themselves. The milder eli
mate of the South, her unlimited waite
Z powers, the plenty of coal and iron ant
limestone in juxtaposition, salubriou
, air, water, variety of farm products
etc., etc., all coDspire to make it tn
home of unlimited possibilities; and i
! is only necessary for her best minds t.
e decide between the inviting lines O
progress and development, and con
q centrate energy and capital into thos
! which promise the best results. Al
= the boosted (and JUSTLY skill of tn
East can be easily persuaded to ICON
South" 1t is but natural, it is accord
4 ing to the laws of trade, for skill an
0 capital both to gravitate to the poin
where they are most needed, and wi
n be most highly appreciated.
y We expect to see the day when tn
cotton, wooden, and iron manufacturer
/, of the country will realize their great
IS est development in the Piedmont RI
gion of the Southern States, includin
q the Virginias, Carolinas, Georgia an
Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky
" We are not among those who prediC
J that the Eastern States will revel
" back into primitive wilds. They wi
still continue to be progressive and ell
d terprising, find new avenues to wealt
+. and influence, while still followin
al those that have brought prosperit
a and power in the past. The success
" the South in the arts of peace and pr
II gress does not involve, or depend upo
the degradation or retrogression of ar
j. section. She will only take her RICH
lie full place, the position to which 81
may properly aspire by reason of h
u, peculiar advantages. Her measure
u snccess will LARGELY depend upon h