Year: 1866




Despite the preaching Of those who are con.
tent to make the United States the subsidized
auxilisries Of British commercial prosperity,
or, bringing the matter nearer home, think
that the West, which produces, should send its
raw material East to be manufactured, the
West is destined to mike manufactures an
aid in building up its prosperity.


A Chicago Company, for the manufacture
of cotton goods, has been organized. There
will be cash capital ofa halfmillion of dol
lars. Good business men have the enter
prise in in charge. In its article upon the
project, the Tribune says:


1t would be difficult to overestimate the
benefits which are destined to accrue to the
whole community from the creation of such
an important branch Of industry in the city,
or to foretell What may be the ultimate re-
suits to the growth and prosperity of the whole
Northwest Sach m institution becomes the
quickener of . whole district, stimulating the
activity Of the poPaiation, and making regions
which were languishing in idleness alive with
the healthy strength Of labor. Chicago can
not be said to be behind any city in the world
in respect to every kind Of activity, although
there are not wanting many Jeremiahs, who
confidently assert that the city has now seen
its best days. Such predictions are not very
likely to be fulfilled in any case, but with the
prospect OF its becoming not only . great
commercial mart, but great manufacturing
centre, We may co6dently look forward to an
unlimited career Of prosperity. Our great
lack has been felt in the metropolis of the
West. 1t has depended too much for its com.
mercial welfare upon its position as place of
transit, and has relied too little upon its own
resources for affording employment and sus.
tenance to the multitudes who live within its
borders. There Is no reason why it should
not provide ample means Of employment for
all by establishing new branch of industry
There is no reason to doubt that, as Lowell
has gathered around it, from adj parts Of New
England and Canada, an industrious populs
ton, and furnished labor for thousands Of
men, women and children, who would other
wise have remained idle, Chicago can also
find employment for half the women and for
all the children. There are at the present
time hundreds Of poor little Arabs. wandering,
idle, and destitute throughout cur streets, and
rs many poor mothers who are unable to find
the means of support for their families, who
might be encouraged TO habits of industry,
and be enabled to earn an honest and respect
able livelihood, were cotton mills once es,ab.
lished in our midst Employment of all kinds
Is becoming scarce commodity in Chicago,
and at no time for these four years past have
there been as many idle persons about the
city. All this can be remedied by the new
impetus given by the carrying out Of this new
project of q cotton manufactory, and the fears
Of those who pbnphesy the downfall OF our
commercial greatness be set at rest forever.


With regard to the position Of Chicago for
such purpose, We have every advantage in
our favor. We can obtain cotton at as cheap
rate as in any portion Of the United States
We have an unlimited supply of pure ya.er.
We have coal, WHICH With Ftte Improve
rent in the mode of using it, can be made
equal to any coal in the country. And lastly.
we can obtain cheaper labor People can
subsist here for one third less than in the
East, and there are now in the city alone, nm :
employed people enough to furnish haifa doz.
On mills ofa similar capacity 10 the one now
about to be erected. Doubtless other cotto n
mills will soon rear their roofs above the
ground, following in the wake of this initial
movement, and other manufactures will be
set on foot till Chicago shall be able out of her
own bounds and by virtue of her own indus.
try, to supply the necessities of civilized ex-
istence to the great West, taking her legiti-
mate place as the great manufacturing empo-
rum, where the wants Of the people cen be
supplied equally az we'll IS at the hands Of
Europe, and with this advantage, that the pro-
duet money will all be kept in circulation in
our midst, instead of being carried of TO en-
rIrh ofh