The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-11-08
OUR TRADE IN THE EAST,
The Atlanta Constitution Endorse!
Senator McLaurin.

Carolina, is remarkable IN many re-
spects.
The purpose Of this appeal is to en-
list the cooperation of Senator Nc
Laurin and his associates in congress
in preserving the open door, as it is
called in the Asiatic trade. In other
words, the South Carolina cotton man
ufacturers, recognizing the fact that
they depend upon the Pacific trade for
the sale of their product, are anxious
that we should occupy the position Of
"the most favored nation" in reaching
the 500, 600, 600 consumers in the orr
ent
Before proceeding to consideration
of the political features of this letter,
it will be we'll to consider, as before
stated, the remarkable showing it makes.
Within thirty years, with no attraction
to offer to capital save those furnished
by nature, the state of South Caroliua
has advanced from being one peculiarly
agricultural until now she ranks next to
Massachusetts as manufacturer of
cotton goods 1t is claimed, with
commendable degree of pride, that this
enterprisiDg state is not onl y the fore
most in the south in spindles, looms
and in the number of hands employed,
but also, in addition to standing next
to Massachusetts,, that her own local
mills consume fully one third Of the
cotton raised. The result thus ach.ev-
ed points to the development, within a
few years, OF such condition that
South Carolina will not have a single
bale of raw cotton for export. When
we consider South Carolina is only
little in advance of her sister states
Of the south, and that the time is com
ing when local mills will take up the
cotton crop,equally as well in every
other state, we can then appreciate the
great.interest which is felt in the ques-
ton of finding foreign markets.
The markets which have made this
cotton development possible have been
found in the far east. 1t is not long
since that freight train pulled out
from Spartanburg with 100000 worth
of cotton fabrics bound for the markets
of China. 1t is not to be wondered at
that with our purchasers, standing be-
hind reluctant ports of the Aslatir con-
tinent, we should be greatly concerned
o'rout every political and military move
Il ut which may affect that trade so
vital not only to our manufacturing but
to our raw product interests. Under
the conditions which have heretofore
prevailed, the United States have been
able to make the advances noted. With
Russia and German interests paramount
and seeking to be exclusive, England
has been forced, by the presence Of a
large feet, to keep ''open door" so that
her manufacturers might reach this de-
sirable market. 1t has been under this
''open door" policy and taking advan-
tage of the tolerance Of England that
we have been enabled to accomplish
what We have.
The manufacturers Of South Caroli-
ma. after presenting the importance Of
this market, and showing the urgency
for our control Of the ports, plead for
the "open door policy, forgetting, ap-
parently, that serviceable as that policy
has been in the past, it hardly comes
up to the requirements of civilized
nation which should be in position to
insist as.well as to claim. We cannot
expect that TIE cordial entente which
has heretofore existed between English
and American merchants may exist for
ever. All are rivals in trade, and it
behooves each nation to be in posi-.
ton to speak and act for itself, inde.
pendent of the friendship or hostility
of any other nation. That treaties dc
not protect is proven by the admission
of the cotton manufacturers themselves
when they state that although such
treaty rights exist, Of equal opportuni'
ties in Manchuria, as matter of fact
the Russians have broken down the
Chinese customs wall and are rushing
in their own goods free of tariff which
other nations have to meet. What !:
true of Russia is equally true of o.hel
nations aud it is only human nature tc
say that it will continue to be true on
behalf Of each Of them, so long as it il
possible.
All this being true the declaration oi
Senator ,monaurin states the issue with
singular clesrness when he says:
The products of these mills have
found remunerative markets in China
and other countries of the east, ouI
cotton goods being peculiarly adapted
for clothing the teeming millions Of that
warm climate. Their trade is the hope
of this great manufacturing industry Of
the south. If it is cut off by other ma.
tions, not only the manufacturer but
the producer Of raw cotton will suffer.
The present advance in SPOT cotton
which our planters are enjoying is large
ly due to the mills Of the south. They
have forced the local market above
New York. With active competition in
local markets, Liverpool and New York
exchanges no longer fix the price Of raw
cotton. Can the southern people afford
to sacrifice their commercial and indus
trial interests for mere political seDti-
ments?
'rhe r.aching effect, therefore, Of
policy by winch our government can
not only fod sale f,r our product
abroad, but bring to our farmers an in
creased price for their agricultural pro-
ducts can hardly be conceived. In its
magnificent scope it converts the gov
ernment from being a mere agency ct
local control into great business rep
resentative, which is to look af;er the
interests Of the people who depend upon
it, not only for protection and liberty
at home. but for those advantages
abroad whivh always 60 to skill and
wealth and power. Tie question as TO
how to advance these interests is always
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