The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-05
AN INDEPENDENT SOUTH.

On this page reproduce an editorial at
tending an extensive article Richmond. in
ne Hanafoctarers' Record The editorial and
the article stand for themselves. They show.
as well as can be shown perhaps In a demon
stration of this sort the facts and the spirit Of
Richmond. What we wish here to refer 10 is,
not particularly what is said Of this city, but
the impression which it makes on broad visioned
opinion as a representative OF the South at
large. In part the Record says:
1t IS interesting read this story OF Rich
mond, because il is such complete answer to
the statements sometimes made that the people
OF the South have lacked energy and broad
business ability and that they needed to lock
to other sections for the MEN and money to de-
veiop their communities. Richmond answers
every adverse statement of this kind about the
soufhs lack of energy and demonstrates how
fts own people. when fully aroused. develop
by their work and their capital the
opportunities 10 BE found in every and
city In the South. And when local men and
money do this kind of work, then sooner or
later men and money from the outside pour
into the town or city where this spirit exists.
The Manufacturers Record has stated truth
fer which We have all along contended, to wit:
that the South is SO far out Of swaddiing
clothes TO need for Its development no arti-
fetal stimulus. either OF finance or law We
are now. thanks TO years OF sacrifice and toll
upon our own legs. Occasionally, In politics, or
II trade circles, hear some abortve argu-
ment to the contrary, but the fact remains that
the Souths destiny is It's own. Every State
IL the South has since the war given TO the
Nation almost tide of the richest emigra.
tion that one section ever sent out to another.
Its picked men. Go North or West, and you
will find these intellectual and commercial re
fugees from the poverty following the war
standing pillars of prosperity and prophets
Of progress. Yet pite this drain. the South
has won not only to where It's great staples
rule the world. but where its utilization of its
commodities challenge world competition. 1t
may not be generally known. but New England
is now second to the South In the manufacture
of cotton. Ii escapes the notice OF the average
man, but the primary of tobacco manufacture
Is with US. Still less notioeabIy. the South Is
largely shoeing, and clothing. and Ieeding its
own.
The great point in all of this is, to cur mind.
not the material accomplishment, so much as
the moral The Immediately post bellum South
rate of interest, but credit Also. 1t paid Its
Interest and its principal and bettered it's
standing. Slowly and by grees 1t won to in
dependence by work. As have SAID many
OF it's brightest and brainiest went elsewhere.
Despite its handicap. the South forged it's way
from debtor to creditor. It is ready to
receive from the North and West the return
A.x for ,hn 1. AZ
giles drove Its best from home. An industrial
and financial miracle. the South whose word
was coed enough TO float its paper in the sixties
stands ready TO talk business TO new blood. and
TO furnish the capital needed for creative brains.