Bob Taylor's Magazine, Vol. I, No. 2, May 1905

by Various

Industrial Energy and Enterprise of the Old South.

There is little danger that the glories and beauties of the Old South, as reflected in its social life and ideals, will be forgotten in the industrial progress and prosperity of the New, for these things have been made immortal by the sure touch of tradition and literature, but there is another phase of the old regime well worth our pride and attention, which seems to have well nigh faded out of popular impression and consideration. We refer to the industrial and commercial activity achieved by the South before the war, of which the general idea takes so small and disparaging account. It is tacitly assumed and loosely declared that previous to 1860 the South lived in ease and sloth upon slave-labor and the cotton crop, paying no heed to manufactures or industrial development, and that before the wonderful business progress of the last decade commercial enterprise and ability were unknown qualities in this section. There were heroes before Agamemnon, however, and the truth is that long before the New South existed in phrase or fact, the Old South was holding its own in wealth-producing industries with other sections of the country.

In a pamphlet, published some years ago, Mr. Richard H. Edmonds, of Baltimore, first drew attention to these facts, and in so doing performed a unique and important service to historic truth, no less than to sectional pride. “Facts about the South” is the title of Mr. Edmond’s brochure and he prefaces his summary of present prosperity and prophecy of future development by a somewhat novel presentation of Southern industrial conditions previous to 1860. He boldly challenges the assumption that the South during that period was not fully abreast of the times in all business interests and quotes indubitable statistics and historic records to prove his case. In the decade between 1850 and 1860 the growth in Southern railroad and manufacturing interests was especially marked, the government reports showing a greater percentage of gain in the South than in New England and the Middle States, or, indeed, the whole country at large. Moreover, the popular idea crediting the Old South with producing only cotton, rice and sugar, is clearly disproved by Mr. Edmonds, who gives the figures of Southern crop production for 1860, showing a condition of agricultural diversity and prosperity unsurpassed in any part of the country.

This vigorous protest against a prevailing delusion should be read in its entirety by every Southerner who, as he reads of the thrift and energy of the Old South, will be inspired with a firmer faith in the growth and strength of the New, recognizing in the industrial development of to-day, as Mr. Edmonds expresses it, “not a novel creation” in this section, but “the result of evolution.”

Mr. Editor:

After all the flowery speeches and kind words that have been showered upon Bob Taylor’s Magazine, all of which I heartily endorse, I am afraid you will not appreciate what I am going to say, but I’ll say it, nevertheless; it will be as good as a corrective; too much sweets are always cloying.

I have read the magazine through from cover to cover, even to the advertisements, and found everything good, better, best, yet I was disappointed and will tell you why. There was no smallest fraction thereof devoted to women. Why is this thus? It cannot be that you do not think women of enough importance as to be worthy some part of it especially fitted for her eye alone. I know our editor-in-chief doesn’t feel that way, at least he does not talk that way, as every woman knows who ever talked to him for five minutes by the clock. I don’t mean a page devoted to Housewives, Motherhood, Cooking Recipes, or Fancy Work, altogether. These are all good, every one of them, and we are all more or less interested in them, but a page, pure and simple, devoted to things that women are specially interested in. Will you rise and explain, and satisfy several women?

E. A. C.

The above communication is self-explanatory and is published for what it is worth. Possibly others of our friends may have something to say along this line. At any rate, whatever is worthy of space, pertaining to women, can, at least for a time, find expression in this department.