Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-01-19
Distress North and south.

Both Northern and Southern newspapers abound
in notices of pecuniary distress but the develop
ments strikingly different in the two sections In
the South few houses have suspended, a good many
notes have been protested, banks have refused &C
commodations, railroad improvements at stand
stIll-that is all AL this exist at the North to a
much greater degree and in addition capital is idle
for fear of loss by being employ ed. and aboreIs are
thrown out of employment, and either starve or are
fed on soup BY the beneicence of the charitable
We do not alIude TO this contrast to exult the
calamities of neighbors. We would, if we could
feed the hungry mouth and cloth the naked OF all the
poor of the Northern States But Northern
friends have laughed mmoderately red hills
and sluggish husbandry. and been at some pains to
the comforts, convenences and thrift of life
at the North with life at the south, it is good time
to pay them back in their coin. True, our hill
sides red, washed, quilted and unpromslng but
they feed We. the poorest of u.s. have bread and
meat enough and to spare. Our cities very poor
things in comparison with Northern cities but soup
charity is altogether unknown in them Tight Times
has come down here too. but he makes his abode in
the big house with ''massa . Sambo is beneath his
notice and Dinah never heard of him. There is
plenty of in the crib, plenty OF bacon in the
somke house, whatever may be the condition of mas
sa's bank account.
The difference is attributable to the difference iR
the pursuits of tie two sections and to the social in
situations of the South.
An agricultural people never can be distressed for
want OF food by the state of the money market and
especially is this the case if the laborers are
slaves. AS part of the capital, the slaves must be
fed and clothed his health and life preserved, the
! profits of the capitalist will be lesseneG. Not so,
however, in a manufacturing community. The la
borer may starve and another will fill his place. II
the profits Of the mills and factories do pay in
teres, upou the investment, the mills and factories
must STOP and the BbOrer lives charity, starve
until times change, and it becomes profitable for the
owners TO set their mills and factories in operation
gain
We prize very highly the blessing OF liberty, and
would make any sacrifice to maintain it hut we
question the worth of thai Liberty which man enjoys
who is dependent upon the caprice Of his employ
the changes and cha noes of fashion and trade, the
events of war, for food to eat and clothes to
! With these views, cannot sympathise with that
feeling which prompts to desert the cotton field
for the Workshop and hope never to see the day when
the South will manufacture than will supply
her own needs. Freedom and the field are ndissou
bly, associated in our minds.
! Another and darker feature Of Northern society is
being developed by the pressure he times 10 which
the South is a stranger. Notwithstanding the c y
authorities of New York have appropriated $l0 ,OOC
for the relief of the poor and individuals are exert
ing themselves to the utmost to lessen the distress
the iabcrng classes, in their tumultous gatherings
give vent 10 threats 10 repeat the riotous scenes
1886, If the wealthy do not give them relief At a
meeting in the Park, recently, it resolved 'hat
poor families living in the city, who unable to
pay their rents. during the present hard times shall
not be turned out their houses by avaricous land
lords or their agents and also that vigilance com
mltlee be appointed to carry the above into effect"
he leaders OF Northern opinion have long taught
that there was higher law than the Constitution
anC laws made in pursuance thereof" and cannot
complain now that the "poisoned chalice " is com
mended 10 their own lips.-Colun'bus (Ga) Sentinel