The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-29
THE CONDITION OF THE SOUTH.
from the New Orleans Price curent.l

from the New Orleans Price Current.l
Any one who will take the trouble to exam
inc closely into the condition OF affairs IN the
South at the present time, as compared With
the state of things attendant on the lmmedl-
ate close Of the war, cannot tall to admit that
acterized every branch Of trade, commerce
and agriculture, an improvement calculated TO
give the liveliest satisfaction to all who desire
the welfare and prosperity OF the South, and
to inbpire the hope that at no distant day her
agriculture and commerce will attain to their
former commanding position IN the business
of the world. The close OF the war left busl-
ness almost suspended, plantations destitute
of stock and many of the implements OF hus-
bandry, and labor, as it then seemed, hope
lessly demoralized. A large proportion OF her
most useful citizens mad been killed or perna-
nently disabled, and some OF those SO rorts-
nate as to return we're effected, more or less
by the Generalization consequent on so many
years Of camp life.
Half the population were In mourning, and
some of the bravest hearts discouraged and
despendent, saw nothing in the future bus dis
tress and ruin. But as little by little our peo-
pie have turned from the memories OF the past
to the necessities Of the present, and attempt
ed to sdapt themselves as nearly as possible
to'the new condition OF things, new possibil-
tiles have presented themselves, and new
plans have been adopted, with measure of
success which promises well for future.
It seemed improbable at the close OF the war
that the negro could ever be taught or COM
PEELED to labor when in q condition OF freedom.
now demonstrating the fact that to hire
negro at reasonable wages, paying monthly
or yearly, is actually cheaper for the
planter in the long run, than to run the
risk of his cost when owned, and to assume
the responsibility of his clothing and doctor
bills and his support when disabled by disease
or by age. Ali our planters now ask, Is to be
left to make their own bargains with the ne.
gro, and whenever this is done his labor will
prove profitable to both employer and en-
ployed. Another encouraging fact Is that a
large proportion OF those plantations formerly
doing their years work on advances froa mer-
chants, are sending this years products to
market without having had such assistance,
and consequently with no claims due upon
them, except those of the laborers. Many
plantations are embarrassed with debts and
mortgages; but 3 few years OF plenty cannot
fail to raise these embarrassments and put
all on footing to make another start On
surer track for the acquisition Of wealth.
Business, agricultural and commercial, IS
being carried on on firmer basis; moro cash
payments are being made and less credit being
given OF being asked than formerly. Are not
all these improvements, after so great oamage,
these renovations, after such terrible destruc-
ton, this dawn OF prosperity rising from tho
night of ruin and disaster, cause OF eongrat-
:listion to the Southern people, and promise
of renewed success and recurring triumphs IN
the future? We think So, and We have
cause to value them, outside of their
promise Of actual profit in dollars and
cents, from the fact that they prove more
than anything else the energy, the industry,
and the business capacity OF the people OF the
South. No people ever bore greater hardships
with less complaint, aud no nation OF men
and women, reared in luxury and comparative
Incidence, ever adapted themselves to circua1-
stances and accepted privations and labor with
such cheerfulness and fortitude as have the
men and women of the South within the last
few years. We believe that the expression
s.Nerthern energy" made use of by so many OF
our contemporaries, would lose its significance
to some extent il they would ponder, carefully
the late history Of the South. With such a
disposition continued on the part of eur pee-
pie, We have nothing to fear. and everything to
hor iy,} f1tura hpfOre