The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-07-22

lnSiy Iar exceeded that In the Southern
States; and while at the first census the
population of the South represented one
half OF the total population of the coun-
try, In 1860 it was less than one-third.
The population of the great State of
Virginia, in the early days of the repub-
lie, almost equaled that of any two
Northern States, while in 1860 she
ranked fifth on tho census list, and she
averaged only twenty-si1 persons to tho
squire mile; whereas Massachusetts ave-
ragged 157. Our material progress, then.
from year to year, was not what it should
have been, and in that respect the result
was continuous loss of power and in
tuence upon the part Of the South. This
fact is indisputable, Whatever the causes
may have been, and it is useless now to
inquire whether it was the result of false
statesmanship and an unfortunate pre-
!uo1ce against commerce and manufac-
tures' OF the effect of our peculiar fnsti-
tutlons. The causes, however, no longer
exist, and our. present condition and
opportunities are such as should insure
US, II true to ourselves and to the lessons
OF the past, our full share of prosperity.
The losses. hardships and suffeiinus that
nave Denllen our people are we'll calcu.
iated TO make them appreciate now the
importance of developing. all, our re.
sources, and WILL. no doubt. educate
them not only to realize the necessity of
!abortn aH its forms as the means Of mn
terlal success, but also to honor it as nm
essential condition of social progress.
There could be no better schooling for our
people III this respect than their recent
experiences, and they already und derstand
IN All its iorce the true meaning, as we'll
as the philosophy of the Divine decree:
nf
earn! thy bread" It is an interest;no
fnct in this connection, said to be estoh.
hshed by statistics, that the health NJ
colonists in hot climates is in direct nro-
portion to their habits of industrv
Ihose colonists, for example, who labor
habitually, secure health, as natures re.
ward for their work, and leave a hardy
progeny behind them to inhabit and
possess the land; while those who ara
inert, or whose habits of life are seden.
tary, are more subject to disease and
transmit TO their descendants enfeebled
constituelons, as natures curse for the
violation of her laws.
Cneered with the Wow, man went to till
the ground
From aos1 whence N .s.l he rose; sentenced, in
AS to punishment; yet (e'en in wrath
So mercifu1 is Heaven) this toll became
The solace Of his woes, the sweet emnIov
OF many q Hvelong hour. and the srre:t
Against disease and death"
Inc ordeal, 1t is true, to which our
people have boon subjected since tho
close OF the war has been q tryinc one
The sorrows and horrors of waf we're er.
ceeded by the evils of reconstruction
(Which, under the humilinting tyranny
OF corrupt officials, surpassed anything
that was. ever before inflicted 1pon q
people OF the same culture and ciyilizn.
tion, ana there Is nothing We have to
deplore more bitterly than the effect
upon those who were unable from age
10 accommodate themselves, to the new
r;aouhis.ances, 80 .n OF to change, with impu-t
change their mode of life, AS NAV be ne
cessary, and can meet and outliye losses
and troubles. but this is rarely poss;Iia
with those advanced in years. How manv
OF our most respected and honored have
succumbed to untold trials, losses and
humiliations, who would otherwise have
lived to good old age! This ia. indeed
one OF the saddest features of the saj
picture, and should be included with
those memories of the past that clnin,
our deepest sympathy.
IN me further consideration of our
SUBJECT, 1t may be necessary to meet the
objection, that the recent tendency to
centralization will end in imperialism, n
or permanent democratic absolutism:
and and rds,,s,; that, accordingly the. future Of
1ul M republican government is uncertain.
ihere 1s, however, no just cause for ap-
prehension: The American people viii VII
neither be defrauded of their inheritanca
%ha.t Of liberty er ~. nor foreibly deprived Of it.
ne ansy are 700 intelligent to be deluded,
and TOO brave to be overawed. The pas.
sions and prejudices Of the hour nav nav
1emporarlly cloud the truth, but the sun
shine OF returning reason will soon dissi-
aas;n pau; me % %mists. and public opinion will be
government. The republic has BEEN
termed IAN experiment." but it has now
weathered the political storms of almost
q a,iia century. and the people are not only
and deeply attached to their Institutions '
put, what is equally important. thev