Mr Hammond was possibly not taking notice of the non-plantation style planter. There were many who had fewer acres who grew what they could and in a good year covered their expenses. Throughout the South there were more family farms with a lower income. The oratory was on some of the larger planters idea of life.
In the areas that did build mills and factories, there was not a shortage of workers. As today, a life built on a 'secure' job meant a 'safe' future for ones family. Had there been more 'industrial' jobs, the story may have been different. Too many poor planters had little say or choice in how the story was written.

Pam