The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-06-30
LEEDS AND NECESSITIES OF THE HOUR.

NEEDS AND NECESSITIES OF THE HOUR
"Show me a place." said a distin
guisEed political economist, "where
the soil, climate and minerals exist
in the greatest profession, as is seen
in the South, and will show you a
country destined to become the sea,
of the highest state of human develop
ment."
But of what avail is this, if not taken
advantage OFF,
The South must needs conform to
the exigencies of the hour and the re.
quirements Of the time, if she wishes
to maintain her supremacy, or even
hold that which she now possesses.
Diversity of home productions for a
home market and home consumption,
should be the watchword of the South.
The manufacture of every possible
article for home needs and require
ments should be the basis of the
South's growth and development. The
conversion into finished forms of iron
and steel is an urgent necessity, and
so long as the Southern States continue
to make only pig iron, SO long will
they remain the under heap. If the
Southern manufacturers only ambi-
ton is to make cheap iron and ship
it to Ohio and Mississippi river points,
the south will never attain prominence
as an iron or steel producing centre,
and so long will the northern iron and
steel masters hold supreme sway over
the markets of the country.
Why then should not the South
work up her raw products more into
articles of trade, such for instance, as
shelf hardware, wire, firearms, ETC.?
Why not utilize and work up into
objects of decoration the unlimited
plastic materials such as kaolin and
other clays?
Why not develop more largely the
marble, granite, and other building
stone found in unlimited quantities
and qualities?
And how about the conversion Of
the unlimited supply of water power
into electric and other motive power
for the operation of the smaller in
dustries?
Is there any reason why the varie-
gated woods of the South should not
be used in the manufacture of chess
men, checkers, inlaid work, etc3
Why should not the South have
manufactures for pins and needles,
hooks and eyes?
What is to prevent her from having
in every city and town penny savings
banks.
Is there any justi6able reason why
Home Insurance Companies--life and
fire--should not be equally distributed
all over the South and the money kept
at home?
Let the South at once further the
development Of silk industries--for
the Usage orange and the mulberry
are indigenous and grow luxuriously,
giving abundant supply of food for
silk fibre.
For what cause is there not in the
South to-day large button and corset
factory?
Why not enlarge canning factories,
thereby creating a trade in the east
for such products as cannot be obtained
there?
Should not the South build better
roadways, thereby afording easier
transportation facilities for agricultural
products, besides beautifying the ap-
pearance of the country?
1t would be wise if the South would
never build towns ahead of their local
industries.
And far better if she would seek the
investors instead of the spectators.
Would it not be wise and policy to
keep investments in the hands of resi-
dents, whether native or not, so long
as they are fixtures in the community,
thereby assuring mutual interest and
protection and the future Well-Delng
of the community?
INDUSTRIAL SUPREMACY ASSURED.
These and many other suggestions
might be cited to show wherein lies
the wealth and opportunity of the
South, but it is not necessary to dwell
longer on the subject.
The South is already invigorated
with renewed courage and pulsated
with the blood of new life; its course
is in the ascendency, and the patience
and perseverance of its advocates and
upbuilders at last are being rewarded
with the emblem of commercial victory
-SUPERMACY.-Nezo York Globe.