The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-10-19
As Others See Us.

no VkHVtC OCO VS.
That old and reliable newspaper, the
Philadelphia Ledger, congratulates the
South upon her progress, and has the
following advisory and prophetic COM
ments:
The extent and variety of the material
development of the South and the re-
vival of business in that section are Of
the most gratifying character. Mines,
manufactures, agriculture ans Transport
TIA ton are healthily active, ana employ
ment Is abundant, with wages and
prices bouyant. The crops have been
more than ordinarily fruitful, with res
eryation as 70 cotton and tobacco, conn
pensafon for the latter being had in an
increase in quotations. The Southern
farmer Is beginning to Diversity his
crops He no longer stakes his all on
cotton and prospers or fails as that
staple Is remrinerative or unsuccessful.
He is giving greater attention to cereals,
to fruit and to garden produce, and finds
the results greatly to his satisfaction.
Mdnfng operations are being conducted
ON a more extensive scale, with greatsr
intelligence and system and the products
are being marketed in more BUSINESS
Ike way. lMangtda ctursS show a wonder
full growth, and the South is preparing
to supply its own needs in this partic-
ular by making up the finished article
with the raw material and the labor cit
Its door. Notable progress is shown in
the textile trades. With it's own cotton
and The fleece of its own sheep the South
is getting ready to make it's own cities
and towns veritable hives of industry.
Less politics and more attention to bus
mess, less rerdning over the lost cause
and moro ambition for the future, less
sectional distrust and more friendly CO.
operation with Northern neighbors-this
is the spirit of the South of today, and
n 10 l6taftf 15faf.
under such worthy inspiration that Sec
ton is fast assuming the proportions
of a land overlooking with milk and
honey.
In the main the Ledger's statements
and predEodorS are we'll founded, but
it must be admitted that the Southern
people still have much to learn before
they will reap harvest of prosperity
Too many Farmers still make the mis-
take of depending upon cotton. They
do not pay enough attention to their
food crops.
Manufacturing, too, is in it's infancy in
the South. Capitalists and men of en-
terprise do not yet fully appreciate the
tempting possibilities of the situation.
In the near future they will see that the
South holds a monopoly in cotton; prac-
iically q monopoly in iron; cheap fuel
and satisfactory labor, to say nothing
of many other advantages. The railway
distributing facilities are perfect ard
there is no reason why a profitable 6f-
rect trade should not be built up with
foreign pon,s.
But big change is necessary before
the South will make the most of her
resources. The sectional question: and
fine race problem will not make trouble
unless agftated from the outside. What
is needed us a diversified industrial revo-
luton.
The farmer should diversity his crops;
che people their occupations, and the
idea should gain favor that the bulk
of our RAW material should be manu-
featured here at home. This Is the road
to independence and prosperity. 1t is
the only way to build up large cities
and towns; the only way to furnish
home markets for The farmers; the only
way to give every willing worker
chance. The South will never be rich
until she carries out this programme