The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-07
LESSON FOR THE SOUTH.
What IL Needs TO Learn Concerning
Diversified Crops and Industries.

PiN'iNiii't 0iPliN anu hhhh0NlN7.
Editor OF The Times:
Systematically ia almost any section
OF the State one can find an ante-dilu-
Wan specimen OF humanity who dcplores
the fact that civilization and commerce
have progressed so far as 20 demand the
building Of railroads and the develop
mcnt Of material resources. II has been
tho writer's fortune or misfortune, TO
meet several OF these within the last few
weeks. They live en- the past and have
never turned their faces 90 the rising
sun. With them every symptom OF pro-
gress Is a calamity. The railroads only
brought calamity and the smoke as-
cending from the stack OF furnaces ana
other manufacturing plants is an eX-
preston OF declining wealth. They sigh
for the return Of the time when their
tobacco and other crops must bee carried
IN wagons. over roads kncc-docp in mud.
20 Lynchburg and other towns. For
tunately for the rising generation. this
species is fast becoming extinct. and the
discord Of their dolcful wall will soon be
heard no more We are on the
eve OF great material II not So
cial revolution Diversified industries
will make new demands upon all our
productive powers and furnish employ
ment for many hands that are now idle.
In past years we OF the South have been
accustomed TO doride New England
methods and customs. Even now we
would prefer that some Of them should
not be introduced in the South. but we
might greatly profit by the Introduction
of some others Thrift and economy gem
orally have gone hand I'm hand On New
England Economy with them has been
q r.s.r q Nl
OF methods of industry. With their
sterile soil they have. by the establish
ment of many industries. created grow
ing demand for AN that soil would proc
duce. and with this came demand Tor
AN increased productivencss OF SOIL
"As population has crowded upon
space with Them they have demon
stratcd that the bounty NJ nature COM
hineI with human skill and ingenuity
has not been exhausted. and barren.
rocky hinsidcs have been made produc-
tive Of many Of the necessities OF llic.
The South needs 90 learn the lesson not
only of diversified crops. but the econ
omy Of smaller areas better titled. She
SIS now rapidly learning that the estab
ushmcnt OF factories. with their smah
populations of mechanics and textile
workers creates a demand for many pro-
profitable market further from home
The year 3ust closed has witnessed
greater material progress ion the south
than any previous year I'm her history
but IL is only "a prophecy of yct more
prosperous years in the near future.
Simply as an agricultural section the
South would forever be 'hewers of wood
ana drawers Of water for the prosperous
manufacturing communities Of the North
and East We are just beginning 90
realize that untold wealth in the form
OF a variev of minerals is concealed in
the mountains OF these Southern states
10 will come forth in yearly increasing
quantities TO add TO the growing prose
perity OF tho South. and the demonsifa-
ton OF the existence of these stores of
almost inexhaustible wealth will demand
the locatio in our territory OF furnace
and other plants for utilizing them, just
as our cotton and tobacco fields have
demanded the location of factories foi
converting the raw material into inc
manufactured article.
Andrew Carnegie had the prophetic
ken when DE said that the Pittsburs dls-
trlct could now supply steel products 20
tho markets OF the world at less cost
than those markets could produce them;
but added that if proposed efforts ai
steel making in the South should prove
as successful as her efforts al making
pig iron. Piusburg might have to surren-
der the palm 90 the southern field. Ana
We do nop doubt Mr.. Carnegie ana otheI-
are watching this new enterprise ODD inc
South with anxious sohciude.
Iron is said TO Doe the best barometer
of commercial conditions The success
Of pig iron manufactured in the South
has been phenomenal. and 30 augurs
equal success i'm the making of steel ln
This as I'm other great lines Of industry.
the Souths opportunity lies gust before
her. ana in this contest for success
thero rs no room for the pcssimist No
BILE courage. bounding hope and mieii-
gent activity will win what we strive ioI.
Roanoke. Va. Jan. 4. 1922. b.