The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1867-06-28
Prospects of the South.

Under tue head OF prospects Of the
South" the New York IEi5uaae indulges in
some remarks on the present condition of
Southern agriculture and some speeulations
on the futnre of Southern industry. As to
the present the Z5i5ane estimates the crop
no coming to market at 1900, 600 bales,
which perhaps will not turn out to be far
from the truth. This is far below the ex-
traVagant estimates formed in the begin
ming OF the season, but it is enough to
show the falsity of all the charges Of indo-
lence and lassitude which have been so
freely lavished on the people of the South.
It alec indicates that the apprehensions Of
any permanent decentralization of the la
boring class, consequent on the sudden
change in their social and political coudi-
ton, were measurably unfounded. What
might have been demonstrated priori is
proved, or almost proved by experiment
that the mass Of blacks like the mass of
whites, viii work for their living when ne
cessity compels them to do it.
The novelty of their condition. the hopes
of a still greater elevation which have been
aroused in their minds, and the absence of
accustomed restraints. may. for a time,
render them less industrious than before,
and consequently. less productive. But
the stimulus of necessity viii be felt, all
the more strongly on this account. The
less the negroes produce. the less they will
receive /; and if the products of their labor
fall short Of given amout, they must first
| suffer, and then starve. Such is precisely
the condition of laboripg populations in all
civilized countries. It is necessity that
makes them work because, unless they
work they cannot live. The fact that un-
der all the adverse circumstances of the
last season. nearly two million bales Of cot
ton were made, speaks highly for the in
dustry, and energy, and Persevering hope
fulness of all classes of our population
Last year was, perhaps, the most disas-
/ trous season ever known in the cotton
/ growing country. The alluvial districts
were inundated; bad seed compelled re-
| planting in many places ; intense drought
excessive rains and sufFocating weeds as
sailed the plant in all sections, and finally,
| the worm devoured at least third of what
remained. If. under all these adverse
circumstances, two million bales were
made, we may safely assame that, wiz OF
/ binary favorable eoncomitants, the crop
would have reached four million bales
! Had such an amount been produced we
should now be out of debt and in fair con-
ditiou to commence the new seasons ope-
rations.
But, as the Tribune says, the South is
still poor. The net product Of our last
years crop was not sufficient to pay of
/ the debt incurred for advances, and for the
replenishmeut Of the devastated planta-
tions. The food crops, too, very general
! ly failed, and, consequently, corn must be
imported to make good the deficiency
Yet We begin this year, generally, IN better
plight than twelve months ago. We have
the experience of the year to guide US
We know better how to utilize the labor o
the negro. Most of the plantations-ever
those which lost money last seoson--are re
stocked There Is not so much to buy fo
the coming season, and, generally, 1t ma.
be said that the net result Is an advances
and improvement in our industrial eondi
ton.