Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller - [Lights of Lowell 01] by A Tapestry of Hope Read Free Book Online Page B

to refrain from exporting their products to England and begin looking to the North as their primary buyer.
    This won’t be an easy task. As we all know, most of the Southern plantation owners are comfortable with the English markets they’ve developed and see no reason to change their habits. We’ve convinced a few of the growers, but not nearly enough.’’
    ‘‘We’ll have to give them reason to make those changes,’’ Bradley said.
    ‘‘They should be loyal to their own country, if nothing else,’’ James put in, ‘‘but I imagine additional money is what they’ll ultimately insist upon. However, if anyone can convince them they owe allegiance to this country, it’s Bradley Houston.’’
    Bradley gave him a grateful nod and then looked at the remainder of the gathered men. ‘‘I hope the rest of you will agree.’’
    Wilson Harper, one of the more recent members to join the Associates, stepped forward. ‘‘Is this a paid position? Seems to me there might be others who need a job more than you, Bradley.’’
    ‘‘I’ve told Nathan and Matthew I’d be willing to accept the position on a commission basis. You’ll pay for nothing unless I’m successful—which will equate to your success also. Now, I know there will be stumbling blocks. I’ve heard reports some Southerners resent the growth and industrialization taking place in the North while the South is relegated to raising the cotton.’’
    Robert Woolsey, another new member of the group, leaned forward and set his eyes on Bradley. ‘‘Those plantation owners don’t realize how easy they’ve got it. Their slaves do the work while they live a life of leisure.’’
    ‘‘I don’t think we can approach negotiations with that kind of attitude, Robert.’’ Bradley continued, ‘‘Our Southern brothers have a significant investment, in both their land and slaves. I’ve recently traveled south to learn more about cotton production, and while we face difficulties and expenses with our mills, they, too, face adversity. They’re dependent upon the elements, whereas we have few concerns in that regard, and I believe we’ll need to be sympathetic to their situation if we’re to develop good relations.
    The Southerners resent their reliance upon Northern factories for the majority of their purchases while they are forced to depend upon agriculture for their economic well-being. I believe that’s why many of them continue to ship their cotton to overseas markets. They’d much prefer to develop their own textile mills and avoid the tariffs placed on our products. And while you decry the fact that they have slaves performing their labor, the Southerners would likely argue that the mill girls and Irish work for us while we lead lives of leisure.’’
    Robert’s face knit into a tight frown. ‘‘The difference is, we pay wages.’’
    Bradley shifted in his chair. He didn’t want to beleaguer the point, but Robert’s condescending attitude annoyed him. ‘‘And the Southerners have constant costs associated with their slaves, including food, housing, clothing, and medical needs, all of which I believe the mill girls are charged for. Slaves do not pay for these amenities; they are provided for by the plantation owner. In order to attract additional Southern suppliers, we need to refrain from imposing our values and harsh judgments upon them. After all, they might just as easily judge you.’’
    Matthew cleared his throat. ‘‘I’m sure we all agree that we need each other if the country is going to prosper. Right now we need to embrace, rather than alienate, the Southern growers. Far too many of them still prefer to sell their cotton to England for the very reasons Bradley has so eloquently stated. They see no reason to practice any extended allegiance to the North because as far as they’re concerned, they are a country unto themselves. Consider the current state of affairs. We have complications with Mexico and the southern