Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1890-01-16
Progress and Prosperity of the South.


Much has been said Of late in our
exchanges about the growth and
prosperity of the South. A careful
study Of the facts and statistics will
convince even tho most skcptical
that the tide has turned and the de-
cade upon which we are entering will
witness marvellous development in all
material things. The times are pro-
pitious, and we must soon have a
great South as well as a great North.
The advantages with which the
South is favored for tho development
of great wealth, are uncquallcd by
any country on the face Of the earth.
Here are happily combined the chief
resources and advantages of nearly
all other countries, without their
many serious disadvantages. In soil,
climate and hcalthfulncss, IN timber
and mineral wealth, in navigation,
both by sea and river, in bountiful
rainfall, and in all respects that could
be asked, nature has bestowed lcr
favors with lavish hand upon this
fair Southland. Every branch Of
agriculture can be made success.
Coal and iron seem to be cxhaustless;
in fact, Of their wealth and extent
the half has never yet been told.
There is also an abundant supply Of
nearly all other minerals used in the
arts Of science. Our timber is al
most unlimited in supply, including
all kinds and varieties.
How theu can any one study this
remarkable combination Of rcsour-
ccs, without being convinced that, in
natural advantages for great material
development, the South stands far
ahead of any other country in the
world ? And the conditions for
greater prosperity than any part of
this country has yet ever known, are
found here to-day. The conditions
are permanent, therefore the pros
.A'crity must eventually be permanent
Statistics arc said to be dry, but
they cannot fail to be interesting
when they show that the South is
growing more rapidly than the bal
ahcc of the country in:
Thc production of pig-iron.
The manufacture of cotton goods
The building OF railroads.
The building Of industrial towns
and cities.
The mining of coal
The manufacture of lumber.
The raising of grain.
The establishment of national
banks.
The South is the place for the
manufactures, because here he is
nearer to the raw material, and has
around him new and ever growing
market for his product; it is the
place for capitalists, because the op-
portunities for safe and profitable in
vcstmcnt are such as cannot be found
anywhere else; it is the place for the
merchant, because the rapid increase
in population and in wealth creates
constantly increasing demand for
merchandise of every sort; it is the
place for the farmer, because the
same causes provide a continually
growing markc, for all the products
of the farm and garden.
"Thc South is solid" in the deter
mination to utilize its natural advan-
tagcs, develop its resources and
build up its Industrial interests. The
South viii be in time the richest
area on the globe, and its people the
happicst
Nor is South Carolina falling be
hind the other States in steady
growth and development. Like hcl
sister States, she has still mainly an
agricultural people, but the times
arc propitious for better days for the
farmers. They are organizing fol
the bcttcrmcnt of their condition,
and working out Of debt slowly but
surely. We shall never see our
greatest prosperity until the farmers,
as a class, are free from debt. Then,
but not before, will the prosperity be
general, blessing all classes and con
ditions of men alike.