The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-03-05
From the Wilmington Journal.
TEXAS VS.. NORTH CAROLINA.

TEXAS VS.. NORTH CAROLINA.
Some how we have managed to look upor
North Carolina as the best State on this COD
tInent Why we have come to this conclusion
we are not prepared to say. 1t may be from
love OF nativity, or for climate, or from life
residence. However our feelings may be, the
many reports received from friends who leave
the "Old North State" for new climes, certainly
90 tar to make us love our mother more and
more We have been permitted to copy the
following extract of private letter from an in
telligent gentleman, who appears to have been
anxious to see some of the world. His expe.
rience will no doubt prove beneficial to many
others
"LExINGToN, Texas, Feb 9th, 1867.
81 seat myself thinking you would be pleased
to have few lines from these "diggens." |
left Wilmington January I'd, ard landed in
Galveston the 7th. come via Augusta, At
lanta, Montgomery, Mobile and New Orleans
1t cost me about 800 from Carthage to Calves
ton. 1t was pleasant trip to Galveston, but
anything else since.
81 have been here about month, and have
been travelling nearly all the time-have gone
over seven counties said to be the garden spot
of Texas; [ have found it very difficult and ex-
pensive to travel in the State. We are told in
North Carolina that Texans take emigrants by
the hand aud all that kind of thing; but have
found, after much experience, that they take
you first by tie purse, and every one that gets
a wipe at you seems determined to size your
pile
"Texas hospitality extends as far as your
money goes, and mary step farther. I have
travelled in all kinds of ways here, high, low,
public, obscure and impenetrabls, and almost
invariably, every morning, had to pile out my
specie, and often regular tavern prices for mis-
erable accommodations.
81 am pleased with nothing in this country
except the fertility of the soil-tbat is fully
equal to al you have ever heard about it. Most
Of this, central Texas, is prairie country, aud
very little rain falls here 1 learn from old
settlers that the good crop years will not average
more than four out Of ten Some summers they
have no raiu at all, then they do not make the
seed planted.
"The lands on the Trinity, Brazos and Col
orado rivers are more certain-there they make
more or less every year. Last year being what
they call wet year, the river lands only made
about half bale to the acre, but the uplands
averaged bale. This the prairies may not do
again for three or four years.
"The climate, contrary to my expectations, is
very uppleasant-some days very mild and warm,
then again severely cold. have felt the cold
as seasiby here as [ ever did in North Carolina.
Diseases of the lungs are very common, being
caused by the sudden changes from warm to
cold. | bad thought that norther was of short
duration, but find that it frequently lasts from
one to five days.
"The range here is failing very fast-stock
becomes poor in winter, but live the year round
without being fed. A gentleman in this county
(Burleson) told me that he bad been here four
teen years and never had to fatten his pork but
twice during the time. l have seen the farmers
driving their hogs from the woods to market
fne fat pork, too Water is very scarce in this
county | have travelled about four hundred
miles and think I saw only six running streams.
Only one of these was sufficient to turn a mill.
They do all their grinding and saving here by
steam or horse power. Were it not for the
would be one of the finest countries in the world;
but that will forever prevent it from being
very desirable place to live in.
"These people live rough, hard life. They
are destitute of multitude of the comforts and
Of life. Timber is very scarce
here, hence their bulldogs, many of them, are
very uncomfortable. Every man here, even
from the lowest poughman to the highest pro-
fessional character, is s'sharper." Hence, the
poor "emigrant" is often feeced of bis little
means before be turns round often. There is
no established system of labor, prices, or any
thing else here consequently "new conner"
cannot make his calculations definitely, but has
to 90 it blind, and trust to Providence-and
from present appearances, it would seem that
Providence don't have very much to do with
this country. In Brennan, they asked me $40
in gold to carry me and my trunk 45 miles [
left my trusk and adopted the infantry mode of
transportation. have walked over 80 miles
since have been in the State
"My Texas fever has abated very much-it is
down about zero now-the entire system is cool
curiosity gra,ifed, &c, &c. can now adept
fully the sentiments of the song,
"The old North State forever"
Just now can, to a considerable extent, sympa-
thize with the sProdigal Son." and am almost
ready to say, II will arise and Co." But it is
"no 60" now.
"All things considered, I think can do better
in North Carolina thaa can here. A man can't
make much money there, but then little there
"goes long ways"
SHARP OLD GENT.-During the recent session
of the Equal Rig hts Convention in New York,
strongninded female entered a crowded street
railroad car. An old gent rose to give her
seat, but asked, "Be you of these women's-right-
ers Z" Il be-" s'You believe woman should
have all the lights of man." "Yes do."-
"Then stand up and enjoy them like man" anc
stand up she did.
More than ever is it now necessary that every
Southern boy should learn a trade-should take
off his coat, roll up bis sleeves, and 60 at some
which he can make living, and
support himself