The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-05-06

eraDle NUMBER OF cOiOureu peOple
scattered all over the free States.
Yet it appears that the rate Of in
crease Of the entire coloured popula-
ton of the whole Union exceeds by
no more than one-half Of one per
cent. the rate Of increase Of the con-
quered side in one of the bloodiest
end most exhausting civil wars the
world has ever seen. 90 &c r
In round numbers the white popu-
lation Of the Confederate States
amounted inlS6O to Ave and a half
miliions-say,' the present popula-
ton Of Ireland. 1t 1waged a despe-
rate contest for four long years
against "a population nearly four
times as numerous, and in the course
of the struggle III raised armies
amounting altogether, according to
the estimate of the Superintendent
of the Census, to million of men.
In other words, out of every eleven
men, women, and children, two men
were withdrawn from all productive
industry, and actually sent into the
field. There they had to meet ar
mics at least twice as numerous, and
to guard every portion Of thousands
of miles of coast and frontier against
their, attacks. oIn consequence the
soldiers had to serve for O long ger
term than in the Federal armies, be-
ing generally, indeed, enlisted for
the war; and, therefore, they were
used more completely and continu-
ously than the Northerners. More
over, the South was strictly block
AIDED, and thereby prevented from
obtaining the supplies it needed.
Necessarily, therefore, the losses in
battle as, we'll az from privationf and
hardships Of every kind were heavier
than in the Federal armies, and the
deaths from wounds and sickness
were more numerous, owing to the
want of skilled medical and surgical
attendance, as well as Of proper and
sufficient hospital stores. For all
these reasons the Superintendent of
the Census estimates esthe actual
deaths in the Confederate armies at
$50, 600, or, seven-twentieths Of the
entire strength. That is to,say, ac-
cording to this estimate, almost ey-
| cry white man capable of bearing
arms in the Confederate States was
drafted into the army, and of every
three so drafted one died in service.
Such having been the frightful NOR
tality, it is easy to understand that
the constitutions of the two that re
/ turned must. have been seriously in
ijured. Moreover, the. service having
been, SO continuous, but few births
can have taken place in the families
| of the absent soldiers. Yets ae. we
have seen, the rate of increaseof the
white population Of these States is
within a fraction % high as the rate
rate Of increase of the coloured pop
ulation throughout the Union. Itis
not to immigration, as the reader
may be inclined to suppose. that this
astonishing result is due. The Cen.
Gus officers have been. happily in
bspired. to accompany their report.
with coloured maps showing the dis
tribution of the immigrants over the
]; Union. But on these maps thewhol'
.Confederacy is q blank with the ex
ception2 ofthree or four faint and mi
mute dots, at immense distances from
one another The increase, then, i
is, evident, is mainly a natural one
1t would be, difficult to adduc'
stronger proof of the abiding vitalit!
i of the white race in the South
With sucha people, it is safe to pre-
dict the North will again have Il
! count, at no great distance of time
unless it manages, while there isye
opportunity, to allay its discomfort
1.-THE facts now given afford meas
ure of the fearful waste of.negro lii
occasioned by the reckless, inconsit
crate manner in which emancipatio
was effected. 1t must not be, forgot
ten that the majority Of the slave
remained quietly working on til
plantations to the very end Of II
{ war. This it was thatpermitted Il
E whole white population of .fghtil
age to march against the enemy. u
81 Like Russia in the Crimea, Il
Al South kept her assailants at bay. Z
oil the outskirts Of her territory as lol
, as her resources lasted. When d
ii interior was pierced the contest "
e virtually ended. But during oil th
Ixs 4. 2 4 r. 4 - Il