The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-04-08

which has prevailed in certain quar-
tiers, that the blacks are drifting t
loertain favored localities of tn
South where they willnltimately sup
plant the whites. Tho statistics 0
the census give no countenance t.
this view. Tn the States of Virgins
and Missouri slight decrease was t.
be expected, but on the contrary il
Georgia, a State not peculialy favor
| ablo to tho blacks, the increase ha
been nearly double the average col
ored increase; whilst in Louisiana, ;
sugar and cotton State where th'
blacks should have an advantage, tn
|colored increase is considerably les
than half tho average; in Alabam;
under the average; in Mississippi
below two per cent; and in South Caro-
lima les than one per cent. In Texas, ii
lis true, tho colored increase has been
enormous, but that of tho whites
has been very nearly equal. Tho
real movement is not from the more
Northern to the Gulf States, but
from the rural districts to the towns
the colored population of Charleston
having increased fifty per cent. in
ten years; that Of New Orleans hav.
ing doubled and that of Washing
ton having actually trebled.
In two particulars, the writer finds
very encouraging evidence Of pro
gross among the colorcd race-edu-
cation and exemption Of women
from work. In 1860, there werc not
more than 32,C29 colorcd persons at
school in the Union in 1870 1882
or nearly six times as many. The
withdrawal of the negro women from
outdoor labor, though pressing heav-
lily upon the agricultural Interests,
conduces to tbeswelfaro of the color
ed race, in promoting homo interests,
and giving proper exercise TO the
feelings and duties of mother.
hood. Tho effect of emancipation
upon the white race, though attend
ed with evils unnecessarily severe.
the writer thinks will ultimately
prove a blessing; and the influx of
and capital, will restore
the wasted homes and fields Of the
South.
The estimate given of the loss of
at the South by cmancipa-
ion, is appalling. Estimating the
:aluo of each slave at $780,. the ag-
sregatc value of ali the slaves would
have considerably exceeded s2,OoO,-
200, ,OO0-thc amonnt Of the national
debt of the United States, and double
tho indemnity which was imposed
apon France by Germany, and upon
D population only onc-sixth as large
rs TINT of France-or from $3.50 to
$500 upon each white man, woman
and child in tho South. This loss is
estimated, not as SO much property
from tho wealth Of the
Union, or even from that Of the
South, but only from the wealth OF
the white inhabitants who owned
slaves. Irrespective Of slaves the
Of property is estimated
at 81 per cent, and this taken in con-
ncc,ion with the rate of increase
elsewhere which was 100 per cent,
would mako the loss of property at
Tie South over four billions of dollars,
Or moro than tho national debt of
Great Britain, or with tho loss from
the liberation of slaves, would pay
off the debts both Of the United
States and Great Britain.
Is it not wonderful then that there
should bo distrust at the South but
he evils which exist have not arisen
solely from war and emancipation,
out are largely owing ito carpet-bag
nisrulo and Ku-Kluxism. The wri-
,er thinks that tho wise and humane
policy of the Government would have
ocon to have put the South fora gen
Grafton under military government
hat would have ensured protection
to the blacks, and saved the whites
rom tho last degradation Of being
'ulod by their own slaves. Another
policy was adopted, and the evil &c
suits arc seen in the corruption which
exists everywhere, and which is eat
ng out the national lifo. Asa rene
ly, the writer suggests o moro just
and conciliatory policy towards the
South, which should lead to the os-
adjustment Of honest and impartial
there. The success
which has attended the Liberal move
nent in Missouri affords the most
cheering evidence of what may be
accomplished by union of honest
men, without respect to race, color or
condition.