Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1898-03-11
The SOuth's Possibilities.

1t is one of those things whicl
no man can rightly measure
the possibilities of the South
The development of the indus
trial resources of this section O
the country continues to attrac
attention, and there seems to b.
no limit to the predictions of GU
suCcess by some Of the Westert
journals who are favorable to us
For instance, the Detroit Free
Press, in commenting upon the
condition which prevail in the
Southern country. says that 1.-The
industrial conditions in the Uni
ted States are in a state of re.
adjustment, the consequences
which are destined to be far
reaching One needs but tc
contrast the manufacturing de
preston which prevails IN New
England with the awakening
activity of the South to be con-
WINGED that important changes
are going on which may trans
fer the sceptre of productive ell
terprise from the banks of-New
England's swift flowing streams
to the heart of Dixie.
These roseate hues OF the com
ing industrial greatness of the
South may perhaps be too high
ly painted by the Southern wri>
ters and speakers, but there is
every thing to encourage the be
lief that great progress in mans
ufacturing is soon to be accom-
plished south of Mason's and
Dixon's line.
The new development of the
South must bring with it inn
portant changes which are sure
to be felt sooner Or later in the
industrial and political life Of
the whole country. Manufac>
turing, when carried on profta-
oily, brings general prosperity
affecting favorable agricultural,
mercantile and transportation
interests, and greatly increasing
the wealth, population and in
fuencc of the whole section
where it exists. If the South
becomes a manufacturing cen-
tire 1t will also become a politi
cal power, acuated ty different
principles from the doctrines
which characterize the agricul>
tural people of the ante bellnm
South. The changing indus
trial conditions are certain to
bring new political ideas and
new alignment of parties i'll the
South.
Then, there is the question of
general interest, how will the
new manufacturing South affect
the prosperity Of lis Northern
and Western competitors Win
New England have to give up
Ecr extensive cotton industry,
on account of the III nous CONS
petition o: her Southern rivals ?
Will the iron and steel mills of
the North be seriously affected
by the competition of Birlning>
ham and Atlanta Will the
newly opened mines of the
South, the growing commerce of
its ports, the development of its
railroad systems and water
routes work lasting injury to
Northern and Western conpet~
itOrs?
The pessimist may shake his
head in doubt at the prospect
which Southern competition
may bring to many branches Of
Northern industry, but there is
far more reason for optimism in
the outlook than for pessilnism
The problems OF the future will
largely bring their own solu>
ion With the increase of
manufactured produces which
he new South will create, there
Will be very consi lerable in>
crease in the home market, col>
upon larger population
with greater wants and greater
means for supplying its wants"
Certainl, the continual devel-
opnent Of the South will bring
With it important changes, but
lone that will not be al advan
age to this section. In the
Freadlustment Of the conditions
If the United States. as our
contemporary is pleased to style
hem, the greater share will fall
O the Southern country. This
S destiny.