Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-10-03
DIR. OTKIN ON THE SOUTH.
DR.. Otkin, of Mississippi, has

will be of great interest to the
South. Init he says:
The South will have plenty of
immigration. The boom period in
the Northwest is over and tho imag-
nations of men are no longer ex-
cited by visions of instantaneous
changes from nothing to wealth.
Texas has perhaps a better pros
pect of a boom than any other
State, but even in Texas it must
be boom of industry and produc-
ton. The El Dorados are all ex-
plored. Hereafter Americans will
understand; that the climate of
California, the mines of Idaho, the
smooth pralries and the rich bot
toms of the middle basins perform
no miracles. Most of the pioneer
railroads are built. The South has
the greatest known attraction in
the fact that comfortable living is
assured to anybody who will till
a piece of ground. There is no
long winter to consume large pro-
portion of the fruits of summers
labor. There is no abject depend
ence upon distant markets and for
eign generosity. The means of ac-
tual living are right on the spot
around every home. That fact Will
draw more and more immigration
every year. Capital is uneasy at
the lack of employment. 1t will
go instantly where profitable en-
ployment, and good security are
offered. The best employment and
the best security are where an
abundance of resources and eco
nomical methods of business exist
together. The South has the re-
sources. It has five times as much
land as it halfway uses. 1t has
every variety of mild climate and
productive soil, from black river
valleys to the clays and sandy
loans Of the uplands.' 1t has a
native white population which has
displayed the highest qualities of
rectitude, and the most unquench-
able courage under difficulties. 1t
has talent for business and persis-
tence for steady application. 1t has
serious purposes and an inborn
sense of public ,,and private duty.
1t needs to perfect its individual
habits of doing business; so that
the rewards of work will not be
wasted in loose methods of saving
them. It's only other pressing need
is to inculcate ambition for good
living in it's negro population.
Before long the rule will be un-
derstood that no man can afford to
ever borrow from his merchant, or
his lawyer. Competition disap-
pears and excessive prices, and fees
prevail under such customs. The
borrower IS likely to pay 25 per
cent. interest in one way and all
other; and, on top of that, to have
his mercantile and legal business
done in a slovenly and bad fashion.
Every Southern town should have
a bank, and every man should get
enough ahead to keep a bank ac-
count. Thus every man would es-
tablish tangible credit, and when
he desired to borrow could do so at
low rates of interest. Thus, also,
an ample available capital would
be stored and putin the most con-
venient form. Thus, still further,
available capital would be distrib-
uted through countless localities,
and the power of banking concen-
t1ations in large centers would be
partly dissipated. The futility of
sitting around the stove and specu-
lating on negro deportation would
as we'll be abandoned. Negro de-
portation or emigration is some
thing that will never happen on
scale large enough to transform
conditions. The desire for the
things that labor alone will bring
must be inculcated in the negro
mind. Like all other human be-
lngs, the negro is initiative, and
when he absorbs the idea that it is
disgraceful not to labor and to
have good home, good clothing,
good food, and little money
ahead, he will become useful