Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-12-13
GEoRGIA-HER PROSPERITY.

L.
By a paragraph going the rounds of the pa
Pers, it appears that the Marshal of Georgia
estimates her present population at about one
million, viz six hundred Thousand whites and
four hundred thousand blacks. If this estimate
is correct, the State has made astonishing pro-
gress in the last five years. The census of
1915 gave a total of TIA, 600: viz-whites
ASS, 900, blacks $4,000, this shows an increase
Of 226, 900. or more than 80 per cent of the
whole population in five years. We venture TO
predict that none Of the old States has increased
with more than half this ratio. 1t is further
matter ofinterest as indicating the uniform pros
perity Of the State, that of some thirty counties
whose returns have been received, every one
has increased in population. In some of the
Cherokee counties and counties in other sections
bordering upon the CIlattahoochee, the pooula-
tlon is said 10 have doubled. We have seen a
statement Of the census Of Baker, showing that
this fine cotton county has increased from 1900
TO $4,000. The towns appear to have partici-
pated in the general Improvement. The returns
from Macon and Savannah show very decided
additions. and Atlanta is reported to have receiv-
ed an accession Of about 700 in the last year.
With this increase of population, there is
doubtless a corresponding increase of wealth.
Industry has been stimulated by high prices,
and enterprise has obtained her well earned re-
ward. Every thing appears to confirm the pre-
sentiment now becoming general, that without
some disaster, Georgia is to be the Empire State
Of the South. Climate, soil and position, con-
curing with intelligence, enterprise, public
spirit and industry, are rapidly working out for
her a noble destiny.-Temp. Banner.
How humiliating the condition of North
Carolina, when contrasted with that of Geor-
gia! With a soil far superior, and natu-
raj facilities for greatness certainly equal to,
those Of our sister State, North Carolina. bv
her do-nothing policy, is retrograding instead
of advancing in the spirit of improvement,
wealth and enterprise. To her wel-arran-
ged system of Internal Improvements, be-
getting industry and enterprise, is alone to
be attributed the prosperity of Georgia
Some twelve years ago we resided in that
State, and at that time the tide Of emigra.
ton from her borders was perhaps as great as
it is at present from North Carolina. Since,
then, however, the farmers have been sup
piled with easy and quick access to market
the mechanical trades have been called
into active busIness-manufactories have
been established, that have means of send
ing off their manufactures to the mountains
and the seaboard-in a word. every depart.
ment of industry and enterprise now meets
with a handsome and ready remuneration
By this means, emigration has been chan.
ged to immigration, and thousands are NOV.
ing into, instead of departing from her Dor.
ders and her own sons remain at home,
with a sure prospect Of reaping the reward:
due to energy, industry and enterprise. Ii
it to be wondered at that she lays claim to
be the " Empire State Of the South p
Georgia is now In a condition to live by and
within herself Come what may, in the re-
vulsim of human affairs, she is iadependeni
a glorious condition, truly.
Can nothing be lone to place North Car.
DINA in the same category? Yes, but there
is. but one way. and that is to follow the ex,
ample of Georgia. If she will build up
her roads-furnish an in~ducement for men
of capital and enterprise to remain here, and
those from abroad to come among us-in-
fuse a spirit of life and activity into all the
departments of industry, she may yet take
her place along side of Virginia, South
Carolina and Georgia in their onward strides
to wealth and distinction! But if the sor-
did, selfish, ~demagogical policy which has
heretofore actuated her rulers, continue to
prevail, it would be far better she would
surrender all p~retensions to State sovereign
ty and State pride, and merge herself into
the Governments of Virginia and South
Carolina, who are this day reaping all the
fruits of her toll and industry to the great
detriment and ruin of her own market towns.
Now, is the time for her to act-it may be
too late to defer it a year longer.