Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-11-24
THE FUTURE OF THE SOUTH.

~ m our last on the subjset matter of the
S6uth's future. is the legitimate result of the
strain OF the war upon her every capabiiity
How great that strain was. all know who
realize her tremendous efforts and vast expedi-
ents TO which the rebellion finally yielded
They have clearly demonstrated that her avail
able resources call descriptions are incon Z
CeIyabIy greater than was dreamed of before
that occasion for the exertion of her dorm ant
strength occurred. Thus her industry has
been diversified and vastly increased, and
made 70 yield immensely increased pecuniary
returns. Her properties, of all descriptions
not before available, have come into the market
At higE prices. These changes in her material
condition have necessarily and naturally been
accompanied by changes in her opinions bear
ing on public questions. which amount In
the revolution in her ideas of which we
write. That cannot be stayed even il
Il were advisable to stay il, which we do not
believe. 1t u. In fine, Just such revolution
IN ideas as England has undergone after each
OF the great throes of civil war and political
contest that have preceded the periodical
changes in her Constitution AID the great pub-
lie laws now OVERLAPPING that unwritten, but
by no means unchanging instrument The
changes wrought by the war in the North
make our great national debt a mere bagatelI..
They demonstrate the nations ability TO pay il
IN brief period, principle and interest, well
nigh as easily a England Is now paying but
the interest on hers. The condition precedent
Is, however. that we shall not 90 back indus
trially, or IN the matter OF the general diffusion
of useful knowledge, and that the South shall
b. speedily so rescued from her present dilapi
dated and inefficient condition TO work her
legitimate share in making up the sum OF the
countEys available productions. She cannon
a WI he
clog upon the wheels of the nations pro
sress. If her people continue TO refuse 10
work her own resources to advantage they
must submit TO having them worked by Others
who will find means to elbow them out of the
way. Any Congress OF the United States
hereafter elected will be chosen TO the end of
securing Senators and Representatives who
VIII not hesitate TO force the South to become
developed and improved, To the end OF increas
ing he nations available productions and
markets, a. by the legislation of the last thirty
years they have made our great West so pro-
gress. The fact that the lands of the Soutb are
the property OF individuals, while the lands of
the West were the property of the General
Government, will not prevent the prosecution
OF some plan or other by which the nation
'hropsh Gong ess, Will compel the South's
due development and progress. The s,mpIe
7
regeneration 10 her own advantage, or will
she wrap around her the catered remains of
the mantle of the ancient gentleman of yir.
GINA $50 eulogised in Mr.. Wilioughby New
tons recent address before the Virginia State
agricultural Society and calmly cast her
present generation of properly holders, their
sons and Immediate dependents under
the car OF progress about to commence
its irresistible march over her TERRITORY,
This ancient Virginia gentleman by.ths.bv.
as pubic man, has from first to last been a
most pernieIous fellow. or much dignity of
carriage, and fine manner withal, and mo-
nopolizing nearly all the information from
DOCKS possessed In the South, he has given
tone 10 her thosght almost exclusively. His
Cherished idea mas been that he and be alone
Is ne South. That his interest has been the
sole interest OF the State. He has leeislated
since the foundation of the Government 10
make Il so. In so legislating he has found 1t
expedient TO wage uLreienting war on each
and every other surrounding interest, such
as those which by the fostering care Of North
ern legislation have made that section so in
Intelligent, skilled, powerful and
rich as communities and States. Thus, this
ancient Virginia gentleman has kept all but
oimself, within his control or Influence, poor
IL norant and idle-eomparatively useless TO
themselves and TO the State. He has also kept
down the value Of bis own estate to less than
a third OF the value of similar property
In States not under the influence of the
blasting effects OF his supremacy. Lest he
might, in the mutabilHy OF human affairs,
lose his status at home, he drew his sword
upon his country, TO carve out a government
founded upan the fancied eternal Justice and
strength of African slavery, in which he could
hone 81
francIa did that thing for a brief season in Pa
raguay. He usurped despotism over his fell
low citizens, whereby he trea-ed their lives
and fortunes with as little conjunction as IT,
mour the Tartar was wont to treat those of
his subjects and Of all falling under the power
OF his wrath. He wasted his own substance To
It's last available atom, and murdered his own
children and dependents by thousands, tens
and hundred OF thousands, in this senseless and
cruel effort TO maintain his own fancied state
against the sure march of mind, industry and
energy under the fostering care of American
institutions. lie fought this insane contest SO
long "a be bad strength TO WELD his sword;
and now hnds himself disarmed and nat on
bis back-unable TO continue IL, but IN
willing 10 help himself out OF his
terrible syehit, or 10 permit those ne has used
in the contest 70 move hand or foot to relieve
themselves of the condition into which he has
brosght them. The ancient Virginia GENTLE
man is ''played out institution" Mr. Will
iOughby Newton to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. he cannot keep his acres together by
thousands, as Mr.. Newton urges He can NO
longer high faiute" In Congres He ca1no,
continue TO encourage idleness on the part of
his sons of available sinews, unless bringing
them TO starvation. Stay laws, such as Mr.
Newton recommends a. the means Of enabling
him 10 defy his creditors. Will avail him but
very little longer. He and his must cease To
dream Of keeping up their ancient state in
condition of all things surrounding them, as
different from what their condition was before
the war, as is tie condition Of the landed aris-
tocracy Of England, whom Mr.. Willoughby
Newton would have him attempt to ape In
twenty five years, IT, with the stolidity
OF the American Indian. he refuses to
progress, the Irish Iaborer. with hrs spade
in hand who confronts him, will be the better
man in the opinion Of old Virginia; for even
she will come to recognize the fact that the la
borer ~ worth most 10 the fortunes Of the State
Ne will live up 10 the progress OF the times, as
he has been doing everywhere throughout the
n -.