The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-30
rNDnrhNDrNcr FOR THE SOUTH.

INDEPENDENCE FOR THE SOUTH.
 We hear much nowadays about an inc dependent South, politically, socially and otherwise, and are likely to hear a great deal more before we are done with 1t. There are those who insist that Southern Democrats, which term practically means the South. should have no more to do with the Democ- racy of the country but should hold themselves aloof and act independent- ly as their own interests shall dictate. That is a matter ws have no disposi- ton to discuss just now. for we do not think this . proper time for such dis cussion, even if that time ever comes.
 But there is another kind of inde- pendence that is open to the South. and it is both allowable and conhmendabie ---that is the Independence of Tndustri- aiism. And we do not mean by that that the South is to build any wall around itself. to isolate itself or to ostraclse or take undue advantage of any other section or country. What we do mean is that the South. having everything within itself for its own support, or having within itself ample means to procure everything needed. the people of this favored section can obtain all they nesA either from ths earth, the mines or the forests, or they can produce the means with which to purchase all they either need or want.
 TWO or three days, ago there ap- peared in The Advertiser brief an- nouncemsnt of the organization Of . modest corporation-rn0dest as to the extent of it's capital--to work up some of our own native wood into some of the millions of boxes. crates and the like which are used by farmers, fruit growers, gardeners and others each year. This company is not large. eith- CT in point of capital stock or fin the numbers of men who will be employed. but 1t is important because it is one of the industries that is needed and ton. It is an industry that has waited until much of the timber suitable for such purposes has been wasted, but there Is still too much of 1t to make 1t a good policy to continue the non-use ! of 1t. There are yet millions of feet of cypress and the several varieties of gum. as we'll as other wood exactly suited to boxes and crates of all kinds, and there will be a demand for them as long as anything is produced for shipment
 It is industries of which this Is a sample that are needed throughout the South. for they turn out products that our people need and must have, and which they will have as long as they can be obtained. And in many parts of the State there are yet forests of fine woods that should be preserved for the future or manufactured into l some of the many articles we obtain elsewhere. Factories for such pur- poses give a market for the owners of the timber. give employment to many skilled workmen. bring money into the State and add immensely to taxable values.
 I And 1t is the same way with other products of the soil We raise . mill lion bales of cotton year and ought to manufacture much of it We raise fruits and vegetables in immense ouan- titles and should preserve and can them for use and sale. and so 1t is with ev- erything that comes from the earth voluntarily or as the result of human effort. It Is not so much that we, fail to produce all that is needed but that we fail to utilise 1t as we might. Each factory, mill or other manufacturing industry gives employment to willing hands. Each keeps money at home and brings 1t from other places, and each adds to the aggregate wealth of e State.
 This is the kipd of independence The Advertiser believes in. advocates and contends for for the South. We will have plenty of time to talk politics and when the proper time comes the Democrats of the South can decide for themselves what Is best and what they ought to do. In the meantime there is an industrial independence that lies within our grasp, that we can achieve for ourselves and that we can take pride in. It is an independence in at- taining which we will be justified and in the enjoyment of which there will be no cause for complaint on the part of others. and no reason for envy. Let us unite. all parties, sects and creeds, and obtain 1t.