The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-02-28
The Truth About Charleston.

has just returned from an extended tour
through the Southern States, and has
furnished the Sun with the result OF his
observations. His account of the unpro.
ftable character Of the years cotton
crop, and of the embarrassed condition
Of the Southern planters, is, in the main,
warranted by the facts. 1t is when ne
attempts to sum up, in sentence, the
condition and prospects of the chief COM
mercial cities OF the South that he be-
trays, if not his prejudice, at least his
Ignorance OF the truth. We have had
enough OF these tourists, who fit through
our country and then undertake to make
authoritative statements in regard to the
fortunes of the South and the temper OF
the people. Doubtless, they mean we'll
this must rest their poor excuse.
The New York millionaire says "that
| charleston seems to have sunk into a
'.kind Of sullen stupor and inactivity.
stMobile, likewise, is dead, and New Or
cleans is declining. No new buildings
ssare to be seen in either Of these towns" F"
There is one bright spot for the New
York millionaire VOWS that Savannah has
"become the second city OF the South in
':regard to the amount OF its exports,
"and of its business generally" This
is more than we expected. We con-
gratulate Savannah; but against the broad
assertion which is made in regard to
Charleston, we propose to set the evi.
dence of plain and incontrovertible facts.
We admit, to begin with, that Charleston,
in muggy weather, is not cheerful
city. Nor is London, nor was Paris.
The Burnt District, in the heart Of
Charleston, chills the Gothamite, and forces
him to think, that the whole community
is going the reverse Of Heayenward. But
what is the truth in; regard to this Burnt
District? Charleston, before the war, had
more houseroom than the population re-
CURED. Houses were built to be occu-
pied two and three months in the year
O house in Charleston was the correct
'thing," in the idea Of the wealthy planters.
After the war; the straitened means Of
the people forbade them to rebuild dwell
linss which had been Injuries, and were
not necessaries. Two anu three families
moved into one house. The consequence is
that the Burnt District has forlorn appear
ance, with the exception OF SO much OF it as
was occupied by business houses, and Mts
portion has been rebuilt We have abundant
house-room; and this is not the consequence
of decreasing population, for the United
States cersus, as well as that of the State,
shows that ace are many thousand souls
stronger than are ,cere in 1860. So much
for the general statement that Charleston
has sunk into sullea stupor and inactivity.
We now take up the question OF general
trade, and claim that the commerce OF
Charleston was never (since the war) in
a sounder or healthier condition than it
is this day, and that besides, it shows
marked evidences of active progress:
1. The cotton business Of Charleston
improves every year. We have received
this season, so far, $4,000 bales more
than we received in 1870, which last
named year was long way ahead of
1869. This Is satisfactory improvement,
aud as much may be said Of the trade in
naval stores, which is growing quietly
and steadily. In his connection it may
be stated (and tto statement is verified
by the official rcports) that the coastwise
aud foreign trade Of Charleston has in-
creased steadily in volume, and is larger
now than at any previous period since the
close OF the war.
.. Charleston has larger grocery aud
provision trade than any other city be-
tween Bsilimore aud New Orleans. The
jobbing trade of Charleston is counted by
millions. Savannah, on the other hand,
has an exceedingly small general business,
aud her jobbing trade is next door TO
nothing.
3. The phosphate business, in ITSELF is
sufficient to lift Charleston iar above any
competitor on the southeastern coas.. We
have now twelve Phosphate Mining and
Manufacturing companies, rcpr:sen,ins
capital OF three million dollars. Eight Of
these companies are nov mining and