The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-04-28
SOUTHERN FACTORIES.
M'LAURlN'S REVIEW OF OUR REMARK
ABLEPRoGRESS.

The South's Advantages and Her Splen-
did Future Gaod Reading for Every.
body.
Much notice has been taken of the
recent speech of Congressman John
! L. McLaurin, of this State, on the new
tariff bill pending in the House of
Representatives. Mr.. McLaurin said
MIR. Speaker: The provisions of this
4 bill taken as whole disclose such a
! want of fairness toward the South
that a detailed statement, as far as
+ possible, of the condition, rare oppor,
! tunities, and vast possibilities of that
section appears necessary.
As rule, the people of other sec
4 tons know but little concerning the
j. real situation in the South, and are
I apparently willing to draw conc!u'
sions from certain amount OF mlSin-
formation, obtained through prejudice
or error. If can successfully place
before them the true condition OF al
= fairs, and at the same time disslpate
whatever of error or prejudice that
may have obtained, I shall deem my
self extremely fortunate.
For more than thirty years past the
South has been making courageous
and desperate struggle against great
|odds. It was compelled to meet the
destruction and disasters of war, to
face new business, labor, and social
problems, and in addition rebuild and
readjust its entire economic fabric to
conform to radically changed condl-
tions.
During the first twenty years OF this
trying period the people OF the South
<struggled almost unaided and alone.
Business investments were denied, ,
commercial credits were difficult and
uncertain, and immigration was al
+ most at standstill.
In fact, the unprecedented growth
= of manufacturing industries in the
j North and East, together with the
rapid development of the great West,
caused, during these twenty years, the
broken and almost ruined South, in a
business sense, to be neglected.
Meanwhile her people, with heroic
devotion, continued the work OF build
Ing up the waste places and stimulat-
Ing lines of productive industry.
All labored, all economical, and all
bent their energies to restore their be-
loved Southland to its proper position
% the nation. Slowly, but surely, q
3orward movement obtained. Hard
work, rigid economy, and determin.
Ia spirit at last turned the tide, and
(he South began to attract the atten-
hon of the business world. Immigra-
ion began slowly and cautiously.
he timidity of capital was overcome,
Investments in various enterprises
Eere made, and new era OF progress
kas inaugurated. The dark clouds
which had hung so low threatening
ver this beautiful and fruitful section
j. egan to lift, and the sunshine OF a
rlghter future forced its way through
he riffs. One morning the news was
ashed throughout the country that a
j |ouns Georgian, filled with love for
lis section and her people, burning
nth desire to see her wonderful op.
ortunities improved, had stood amid
be brains and enterprise of New
England and declared there was q
lew South, and in the name OF sound
asiness Judgment and safe financial
Investments demanded that her advan-
ges, opportunities, and material in
rests should be recognized.
With an eloquence never surpassed,
ith facts and statements incontrover-
BILE, Henry w. Grady electrified and
tonished his hearers at the progress
bd standing of the South. While
aking no apologies for the past, but
senting Loyalty to her traditions and
lenories, he proclaimed new South
bxious for development, ready to
elcome immigration, and prepared
protect all in life and property.
arowing aside sentiment, casting be-
bath his feet all prejudice, he man.
lily declared that the South should
bnceforth be considered part of our
numerical system; that she had
own herself competent, had proven
rseH worthy, of the consideration
those who held the power to devel.
= her incompatible resources. It
Rs wise act, nobly and eloquently
rformed, and earned him the love
ID everlasting gratitude of every
be Southern heart.
THE TRUE POLICY.
With far less eloquence, but with
the earnestness l possess, desire
reiterate the sentiments of the Ia
bnted Grady and supplement his
brious efforts with the feebleness of
own. Mr.. Speaker, the longer I
main in public life, the more I learn
other sections, the more firmly I am
nvinced that the South should strive
extend her material interests. It is
luty she owes to herself, to the bal
ce of the nation, and to the genera
ms yet to come.
Some may contend that such senti-
,nts are sordid and do not appeal to
nobler instincts of our people. To
such would reply that disguise it
I've may, deprecate it as we should,
the fact remains that the surest
ksport to individual independence,
th much that this term implies, lies
Ia we'll lied pocket book. Love in
|ottage, with ones neighbors luxu-
ting in a palace, is usually myth.
ntentment with a crust OF bread,
lie others are living upon the fat of
land, is a delusion, and the indi-
lual independence said to come
m poverty and want is seldom, if
br met. The world is becoming
re practical and hardheaded every
o,J nc q .ao,,lf fhooru on6 cnnti