Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-03
SOUTHERN MANUFA CTURERS.

The manufacturers OF the south are
showing a disposition to make them
selves heard and felt. In this they are
to be commended. The more the peo-
pie OF that section can be brought to dis
cuss their industrial and commercial
relations with the rest of the country
the better it will be for them and for
the general welfare. There are very
marked indications of growth in this
direction. The rapid strides of some
of the southern states in in
dustrial progress and prosperity
have aroused quite generally in that
section strong and earnest interest in
practical questions. Especially the
people of the states most favored with
resources, having discovered the value
Of their possessions, are manifesting an
eager desire for their development,
Offering inducements to capital and
labor to enlist in the work. Those of
other states, whose resources are less
abundant, are being spurred by eX-
ample to use their best efforts in turn
ing to the best advantage what they
have, and, as far as practicable, to emu
idUt UllC ulOEC III
all forms of improvement and progress.
Thus the south, generally, under the
influence of vigorous industrial
growth, is fixing its attention, more
than ever before, on practical affairs,
and there is pretty sure to be continued
progress along this line.
A ''solid SOUTH" having for its OBJ
ject the promotion of the nations for
eign commerce and the restoration of
its merchant marine on the ocean,
! would be condition certain to secure
vastly more respect and advantage for
that section than can ever possibly
come from solidarity in that
interest of any political party. 1t
would be an evidence of patriotic con-
cern for the welfare OF the country, and
OF genuine devotion to national pro-
gress and prosperity, not to be afforded
in any other way. There is a possibil-
ity that the south. or a large part of it,
will be found solid, regardless of poll
tics, in demanding policy designed to
extend the foreign commerce of the
| country, restore its practically destroyed
shipping interests, and once more send
its flag, covering the products of farm
and factory, into every port where its
| merchants and manufacturers have
trade.
There is the suggestion of this in the
expression Of sentiment by the Southern
Manufacturers association in session at
Augusta. The president of the associa-
| alton said in his address that we should
control the markets of South America
| and Mexico, that our flag should float
over every bale of cotton that leaves our
ports, and the association adopted reso-
lutiOns to memoria!lze congress in favor
of government aid in establishing steam
ship lines to Central and South Amer
lea. 1t is not necessary to agree with the
method proposed in order to commend
| the spirit of these expressions. They are
| in the right vein, and the source they
! proceed from gives them especial force
and interest. The American people
| are beginning to earnestly realize the
| necessity OF extending their markets.
The vast and increasing productive
forces of the country require a broader
| field of distribution than at present.
There is no subject of greater impor-
tance demanding immediate attention,
and it is OF equal concern to all sections
OF the country. With II general awak-
ening to its consideration the methods
necessary to attain the desired result
may be agreed upon without great diff
| iiculty.