Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-04-11
Fifty Years of Achievement.

Fifty years ago this week the south
was on the eve of a great war.
Wrought up to state of tension by
the prospect of conflict with the
north, which however it ended, 1t was
recognized, would involve the eXpen-
diture of millions of treasure and the
sacrifice of thousands Of lives, busi-
ness was at standstill. The pail
of commercial stagnation had spread
its panoply over both sides of the
Potomac and men without employ
ment roamed the streets. hungry and
anxious. For four years the hands
on the clock of industry stopped NOV
ing. When they resumed, half a mil
lion brave fellows had been laid away
beneath the sod and ten billion dol
lars had been consumed in powder and
armament
No fifty years in the worlds history
have seen greater changes anywhere
than have been wrought since then in
the south. which rising from the
smouldering embers Of industrial
prostration has taken her place among
the most progressive, and most en-
terprising sections of the nation. Un-
aided by the rest of the country it has
solved the tremendous problems
thrust upon it at the close Of the war
with an intelligence. initiative and
courage in keeping with it's best ira
ditions. Beset with disbursements
on every side, handicapped by lack
Of capital, and encompassed by diff
culties that called for the exercise Of
extraordinary firmness, tact, industry
and judgment, it has optomistically
kept its face to the rising sun and
succeeded where pessimism suggested
failure. 1t has stimulated agriculture
and given a new impetus to manufac-
ture. 1t has encouraged the extension
of the railroads through undeveloped
communities, promoted irrigation for
the arid wastes and fostered drainage
for the low lands. 1t has infused new
life into the cotton industry, now worth
5000, 100000 year to it and vies with
the west in it's ambition to wrest from
England that country's centuries old
control of the worlds linen market.
Comparatively a new conner in the
textile field, it's mills already chal-
lenge those Of New England and s.
900, 900 of the 24,O00.00O spindles in
the United States hum their song of
industry within it's borders. Its fac
tories boast of S3S,717 horse power,
employ a capital Of $1,2S7,921,0S4
and annually produce goods Of value
of $500, 100000. Barely explored
yet, with only their surface deposits
touched, it's coal mines, richer and
more extended than those Of Penn
sylvania, yield S3,596,3O2 tons a year
and apace with its development in
other directions its railroads provide
transportation over 66,3S7.S6 miles Of
its territory. with an aggregate wealth
of 1881, 1,929,S0S and yearly accre-
tions of many millions, 1t is stronger
and commercially more formidable
than at any time in its whole history
Looking back through the half CEN
tury of it's unceasing constructive ef-
fort, the south pausing to review it's
accomplishment in the various fields
of human service to which it has ap-
piled it's energies. can feel proud Of its
superb record. For it the fifty years
that have rolled by have been years
of distinguished achievement and
steady progression. They have been
years worth while.