Economics

Franklin County, Pennsylvania //The Economy// Franklin county was connected to surrounding areas in several ways. It had a very densely built infrastructure, including railroads, major roads, and minor roads. The majority of Franklin residents lived on the edge of a road of some sort. The expanse of these transportation systems provided a way to trade goods and travel from county to county efficiently. Franklin's economic structure relied solely on its strong transportation systems. For example, a newspaper article stressed the importance of a rail connection from Franklin to Gettysburg. It states the connection would be highly beneficial to farmers and merchants as a direct connection to Baltimore. The article states:

//"The importance of a connection with the Railroad at Gettysburg is attracting the attention of the businessmen of this neighborhood. We have heard considerable talk, within a few days past, of having a survey made in order to show the practicability of constructing a road, over a route of an easy grade, and free from any unusual expense in building. Such a route we are assured exists and that a survey of it will be made at an early day. The great advantages that a connection with the Gettysburg road would open up to our farmers, and the business community, are so obvious that self interest must sooner or later determine its completion. By the route proposed which would only require about twenty four miles of road to be built, we would obtain a direct railroad communication with the Baltimore market, at a saving of forty three miles in distance and at least twenty five per cent on freight over the roundabout road we are now obliged to travel to get to that market. The Merchants of Baltimore see the necessity of this road, in order to secure the trade and produce of the great Cumberland Valley, and express themselves as ready to invest their money in it whenever the demand is made upon them. From the well known energetic character of the men who are agitating this subject in our community, we have no doubt whatever that this road will be built at no very distant day." //        In addition to this anticipated railroad, there were several other major railroads such as The Franklin Railroad and the Cumberland Valley Railroad. Everyday the world of Trade and Commerce in Franklin County was creating new routes for trade and transportation.        Franklin County's main agricultural product was wheat, with corn, rye, and oats following closely behind. Land value in Franklin was known to be higher than in Augusta County, Virginia. The high quality if soil provided the perfect environment in which to produce mass quantities of agricultural goods. All Franklin residents lived no further than 6 miles from a major road, making the transportation network for goods extremely accessible. The wealth was very equally distributed throughout the county and all of Franklin was important to the county's economic growth and sustainability. There was not much of an upper class to make society top-heavy. Everyone was equal in wealth for the most part. While Franklin produced many agricultural goods, the North relied heavily on the South for its raw materials. An article in a local Franklin newspaper read: //"Reader, of whatever political faith you are which will be the best? That the country shall remain whole and united as it is, the South being the receptacle and market for the manufactories and workshops of the North--furnishing the raw material and affording labor to toiling millions of the North, and buying the goods again in return, thus causing general prosperity all around,, or that it be disrupted, and the intercourse of the two sections of the country severed, the South opening her own ports and receiving her supplies of manufactured articles from foreign countries, and leaving the work-shops and manufactories of the North desolate and without market. Which will be the best? This is a matter for every voter to consider. As the country now exists, the South is the market for manufactories and workshops of the North. North cotton mills get their cotton from the South, thousands of hands are employed in them, and receive their pay for their work, and then the cotton goods are again sold to the South. Other manufactories sell their articles of manufacture South. The little town of Lynn, in Massachusetts, alone sells several millions of pairs of shoes and usually South. The iron works and rolling mills of the North find their best markets South. The cities of New York and Philadelphia, and other northern cities, depend almost entirely upon their commerce with the Southern States, and their teeming millions thus have prosperity.--Which then will be the best? Will you elect Lincoln, the candidate of the "irrepressible" Republican party, who will not receive a single elector 1 vote in any southern States and whose election incurs the risk of disturbing the harmony of the several States as they now exist, or will you say it is best to "let well enough alone," and contribute all in your power to his defeat. It is for you, consulting your own interests and the interests of the country to say, which will be best?" //   This article represents the Northern and Southern debate to a T. There was a huge debate in the North as to how they were going to succeed without the South if they were to secede from the union. While the North was very industrious and agriculturally productive, the South's raw materials were vital to the trade and commerce cycle of the country. This proves how reliant the North was on the South. The North, or Franklin County, was only a small part of the trade and exchange system equation in America. Without one or the other, both societies would be effected economically. The North would no longer have access to the South's raw materials, and the South would no longer have the relatively local and more convenient trade with the North. While the South would be trading and exchanging overseas, it was still much easier to work in unison with the North. Which choice would be best to make and which one would benefit both the North and the South at the same time? The article is addressing the citizens of both Northern and Southern precincts, and encouraging them to ask the question as responsible citizens with the best interests of the country in mind, "which will be best?" The economy was a huge factor during the Civil War and it caused much debate among political leaders as to how they would pull apart without destroying the economic system they both were so heavily involved in.