The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-07-23
AbscntccIsn,.

We copy the following article on the evils Of
absenteeism from the Southern Is. CO. Stand
ard, the new paper recently started in Charles
ton. We beg TO add that It embodies views
which we have been urging (or years as one OF
the great means to bring about Southern inde-
pendence We can form but slight estimate
Of the enormous amount Of money that is an
nuaIy spent at the North by wealthy Southern
citizens. Bot read the article from the Stand
ard: ~
One of the greatest curses that can be inlict-
ed on any country is the periodical emigration
of large body of its wealthy citizens. To this
cause, more than any other, is to be attributed
the distress and poverty Of unhappy Ireland.
A large portion of her soil is owned by wealthy
proprietors, who spend most of their time
abroad, drawing the hard EARNINGS Of their
peasantry, to be spent in enriching the people
Of other lands. This cause operates TO very
great extent at the South. At the approach Of
every summer, our people swarm in focks TO
Northern cities and Northern watering places
the Southern stream of travel, like the Nile, en-
riching the whole country which it oyerdows
| The tax paid by Southern travellers annually al
the North, we will venture to say, exceeds the
whole amount exacted from the South by the
much abused tariff. If this vast amount was
spent at home. what great change would be
effected in the appearance OF our Southern
country. Fine hotels would grace our inland
hill tops--the busy stream Of travel would en-.
rich our railroad and stage lines--the farmer
would find a ready market for his products II
his own door-our country villages would be
built up and filed with storekeepers, jewellers
miiners, and all other accessories necessary 70
supply the wants Of fashion. Our sea islands
with their noble beaches and refreshing sea
breezes, would be covered with fine hotels
filled with gay visitants, giving life and ANNA
| ton 10 what are now as almost deserted as The
] deserts of Arabia Sulvan's Island would ii
val Newport, and Charleston storekeepers ant
fancy dealers have the benefit Of fine summer
business. ~
| There Is no excuse for this absentecism. Gu
mountain ais is as cool and salubrious as thu
most favored Northern climes-Old ocean watt
her breezcs as gently on Sullivan's island, as a
Newport, Rockaway, or Long Branch. 1t Is on
of the follies Of our people TO think that they
must seek enjoyment abroad. A Northern edi
tor remarks. with great just &C, that as long al
Southern travellers I'll their hotels and watering
places, they have no fears OF the Union--tha
Saratoga, Newport, Niagara, and numerou'
other resorts, are too great attractions for ever
TIC nltot lChiouS hufoeatt VI tN'ftr v
resist Another great cause of complaint w
have to make is, that so many send their childreI
to Northern seninnries and colleges for thei
education. But, say those gentlemen. he system
of education al the North is so much better thai
ours their colleges are more richly endowed
and are enabled 20 command higher order 0
talent 10 their p-ofessorsbips. Granted. Blu
why is thisl Those mean, money lvyiug Van
KEGS we despise so much. look upon education Al
the main foundation Of character, and you cal
scarcely take up paper but you read OF som
lmunifcent bequest or donation for edueationa
purposes Let the money spent at the North 70
education be spent at home--let Southern chiv
airy vie with Yankee meanness IN literally en-
dowing schools and colleges. md the necessit,
i will not exist Of sending our children TO North
ern seminaries. TO be taught that their father
and mothers are men-stcalers, and not fl TO hol'
communion with civilized people.
Some may think we use harsh language-tha
we BIZ hard 81 many Of our citizens who practic'