Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-20
DAILY COMMERCIAL.
,AI.TIrTORE, MD.
wrnvrSnaY 1ORNING. DEC. 90, 1865.
TEEr, CIgsNCES OF MARYLAND FOR
PROSPERITY COMPARED TO THOSE
ON orEFEs STATES-N0RTEIEgsN CAPT.

ON orsfEis STATES-N0RTEIEgsNC CAPT. |
TAB.
The more carefully we consider facts which |
hear ,,pon the hoped for advance of Maryland |
in industry and wealth, and all that beside |
which marks the greatness of States, the more |
are we compelled to regard the present period |
in her history as eminently tavoring her in
ever respect A fact bearing upon this mat
fer came to our knowledge recently, which is
SO significant, that it will serve eminently to
Illustrate what we mean.
Since the war has come to an end, Northern
capitalists have had numerous applications
made to them from the far South tor means
TO cultivate the abandoned plantations of that
section as well as to work valuable mines
with which those States abound, But, in a
small circle of these capitalists, recently col
lected together to entertain propositions from
one of the most tempting regions-naturally-
in the whole South, circle representing in
wealth, ten millions of dollars, not dollar
was to be had-and why? Because-as these
gentlemen frankly told the applicant-'you
.'cannot guarantee down there safety Of in
.'yestments and life.
They told HMM continuation-that So
ciety and labor were disorganized; that with
no power on the part of the State governments
to organize, protect, and make labor avail
able, and with the fact made more and more
plain, that only the General Government could
act efficiently for them through its military
power and the Freedmen's Bureau in en-
forcing contracts and restoring confidence,
the hostility was so evident and the short
sightedncss so marked, that action there to
their advantage must necessarily be postponed
until they could be made to see that the Fed
eral Government was the common protector
and best friend of all; that until that time, the
outside world would neither invest its means
there to any great extent, nor go to their aid.
except within hail Of great cities like Sayan
nah, Mobile, and New Orleans, where they
could rely upon something stronger than these
States themselves could extend to strangers.
in the way Of protection
Now, we repeat it, the interview in question
was substantially as we have stated it, in the
debate elected, as we get it from one Of the
capitalists of Northern city himself; man
anxious to go to the rescue if he could see his
way clear to do it. The North-be it re-
marked-is eminently anxious on the subject
Of a cotton supply, and is by no means ready
to discourage applications for aid from the
cotton districts; and this on the most obvious
principles of self preservation in the forward
ing of its great interests. These men, these
capitalists, do not wish to see their mills run
ming short of a supply of the great staple nor
exchanges with Europe limited; nor do they
wish to see great and fertile section left for
years, so desolatc and so helpless that il
can furnish no market for their goods But
they have come to the determination to leave
the rural districts Of the South measurably to
their own resources until a different condition
of things obtains down there's determination
which involves so much Of long continued dis
ability and growing weakness, that it can in
spire amongst the true friends of the South
only the deepest regret
But now, is there not remedy for con-
dition Of affairs SO much to be deplored? The
South-sO much Of its population as still
cherishes vindictive feelings against the general
government and the loyal States, insists upon
the withdrawal of the Freedmen Bureau: the
nearest and most efficient agent Of the Federal
Government in ITS general dealings with the
population Of that section; whereas, as the
0Riy intermediary agency to maize and enforce
contract, and maintain order, the South should
call for its continuance there, and with en-
larged powers. If those States have neither
capital nor organized industry, and cannot
command it from the outsde-as we have al
ready shown-i6 it not the supremest folly to
discard, pettishly, the only power that can
reach them, that can bring order out of con-
fusion, and restore their affairs, generally, to
that condition that the world outside with its
capital and enterprise will feel authorized in
going TO the rescue?
We have thus dealt with this question, at
this time, for two leading reasons-the first is,
to sh ow the people Of Maryland, once more,
the eminent advantages they possess an the
eyes Of capitalists abroad, orer communities
further South; and the second, to impress
upon all who may have entertained prejudices
against the Freedmen's Bureau, the necessity
of standing bt the President in his endearorS
to make lie useful IN restoring the South to
peace and prosperity.
Let it be noted, in this connection, that
whilst the far South is suffering in its chances
for Reconstruction" from the causes we have
set forth, that our own State has been favored
in an eminent degree in escaping the worst
evils Of the late conflict. Whilst it is true
that we have lost much Of our labor and been
greatly divided in sentiment, socially and
politically, our farms have not been extensive
ly devastated, our fences removed. nor our
land titles invahdated. All over the State.
order reigns; industry is measurably we'll or
ganized-what there is left of labor gives no
particular cause for complaint, leaving not
single reason to deter capital from being
brought here for investment in anything that
promises well, from the mountains to the sea.
And when we see and know that the outside
world is rapidly approaching facts so vital to
our advancement: when We are told by reli-
able, well informed and prominent men here.
that certain sections are palpably increasing
IN population, brought in from abroad, we are
made to feel again and again, that it is indeed
the golden opportunity for Maryland, because
the great fact is plain that that surge of indus
try and capital and enterprise which otherwise
might pass US by, is held back. to break upon
our shores, giving to US that which we most
need to insure our future prosperity.
We say then, to al, that whilst as patriotic
citizens, lovers of our whole country, we may
well regret the disorganized condition of things
South, which holds them back in the race, it
is our duty to seize the chances which offer
themselves to advance our own State. Organi
zing our own industry, and inviting and mel
coming amongst as those needful aids other
States cannot command, let us make MARYLAND
the model in all that distinguishes great and
prosperous commonwealth
MARRzED.