The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-05-09
The Condition Of the South.

Most OF US, probably, are IN tne haDlG VI
thinking that ours is a sngularly prosperous
and fortunate nation. The condition of the
larger part of the country might justify such an
estimate. But to this state Of affairs there Is
marked exception in the case of the Southern
States Several causes prevent the North from
realizing the troubles of the South. There IS
little communication between the two sections:
The West is the child of the East, but the blood
of the South and the North has long run IN
separate streams To this want of acquaintance
is to be added another consideration. 1t is felt
that the sufferings of the South sprung from q
war which she provoked, and which also lett
deep wounds on the North Of active VIM
dictiveness, we believe there is scarcely a trace
among the mass of our people; but there is
doubtless keen sensitiveness to troubles which
are regarded as kind of natural retributlon.
But any such indifference would quickly melt
away, if the Northern people once clearly and
fully understood how serious are the mlstor-
tunes under which she is laboring.
Probably in modern times no country has
ever had its strength more complete drained by
war than the Southern States. From the first
day they were marched against an antagonist
vastly their superior in physical resources
With smaller population; with their labor
ing classes unavailable for soldiers with no
system of manufactures; with no commerce
except the stealthy supplies from blockade run
ners; they kept the field for four years against
the full strength of the North, backed by q
courage as resolute as their own. They gave
literally their whole property to their cause,
and their blood as freely as water. When the
South yielded, it was as when man drops
from sheer exhaustion; men, money, supplies,
all were gone. To-day there is literally hard
ly white family in those communities that
did not lose father or sons in the war. The
financial impoverishment can hardly be estl-
mated. A committee of Congress has reckoned
the loss consequent on the war, exclusive OF the
loss of property in slaves, at $4,000 900, ,0O0.-
But such statements give no idea ofthe amount
of individual distress. 1t is no exaggeratlon
to say that as rule all the people of property
were by the war financially ruined, as that
phase is generally understood.
To this state of things was Immediately
added total arrangement of the system OF Ia
bor. All the manual work had been done by
slaves; and all these slaves were set free at
once. Of the effect of the change upon this
class by themselves, we shall have something
more to say. But the immediate consequence
inevitably was to greatly interrupt and paralyze
the industry of the whole section. A people
cannot perfectly adapt themselves from the re-
lation of slaves to that of free laborers IN a
day, or a year, or decade. 1t is very hard to
tell how far the adjustment has yet proceeded
in the South. 1t has clearly been successful
enough to give much hope for the future. But But
meanwhile the interruption and confusion has
involved temporary loss that would have borne
heavily on q wealthy community; much more,
upon one already exhausted by war and lnVa-
sion.
Upon the first efforts at recuperatlon, two or
three most unfavorable seasons fell like blight.
The South is essentially an agricultural coun-
try. Year after year, the crops were lost through
bad weather, and the land was left as though 1t
had been swept by the murran and the hail.
To these burdens has been added yet another,
that of misgovernment 1t is needless here to
trace the political history Of reconstruction, or
to apportion the blame for its mistakes. 1t is
enough to say that in point of fact the State
governments of the South have very largely
fallen into the hands of ignorant and knavish
men, Public money has been wasted and sto-
len by wholesale. A proud and high spirited
population have seen their places of trust and
honor filled by foreign adventures and unedu-
Gated freedmen. The old political leaders In
whom the people had confidence and who alone
had experience in the conduct of affairs, have
been excluded from Office by Congress. The
tagonism between the former masters and the
blacks. and to still further ALLEVIATE the former
from the national authority.
This is a gloomy picture. One feature re.
mained to be added. Into this weakened and
distracted community there has been no infu-
sion of new, healthy blood. 1t was hoped that
immigration would renovate the South. But
there has been no immigration, or but little
The old elements are left to work out their way
unassistcd. -.
And is this all? Was it to bring about this
that the sacrifices of our war was made? NO.
There is something yet to be considered, a thing
which rightly measured outweighs all the loss.
Four million slaves have become free.
Already the fruit of that great deliverancc
begins to appear, but its full opening and per-
fection will take many years to unfold. race
has started on the road to manhood. They
have left Egypt but have not reached the
promised land. They are in the desert receiv-
ing laws institutions and training, and looking
for happy future. The ignorance and help
lessness of their cid condition must long weigh
heavily upon them. And in the new estate OF
freedom, they have met with a double misior-
tune. in that political circumstances have tended
to bring them under the guidance of dema-
popues. and at variance with the class most
able to help them.
Of the present duty of the nation at large to-
ward the South We shall here say but a word. =
The best service that can be rendered to the
Southern people politically is to let them alone,
Disabilities should be swept away at blow
There should be no more Federal interference
with local affairs Political salvation for the
South can only come through her own people
Our active duty toward them lies in another
direction. 1t consists, first, in helping secular
and religious education. This is the supreme
need of the South. We should have faith in
their sincere endeavors, according to their
light, opportunities and means, to rebuild soci-
ETY., and to include the freedmen in their efforts.
They need from lis not simply pecuniary help,
but Christian sympathy and manly trust
There are societies that are doing wise and en-
ergetic work in this direction and they have a
claim on us beyond almost any other form of
benevoence. And finally whatever fosters bet
ter acquaintance between the North and South