Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-24
WHOLESOME TALK FOR SOUTH
Enn L HEEEn-Enc

of the day and reTiewedlthe condition
of the South since the war. His de-
auctions are so conservative, so full of
that practical common sense needed by
no small proportion of the Southern
people, that we give the substance of
those especially applicable to the ex-
listing state of things in the recon-
structed States. He believes that,
however we may feel concerning the
bitter experiences that followed defeat,
however much we may regret that We
were not, permitted to work out for
ourselves our own future, and to have
TINS avoided the terrible effects of
forced and arbitrary changes of our
institutions and habits; yet, taking
the facts as they now exist, an IN
prejudiced consideration of the
subject unquestionably justifes the
opinion that our capacity for progress
has been increased, and that the pres
ent opportunities for developing our
resources are greater than were posi-
| bic under the old regime. The materi-
al resources of the South had been de-
velcped to a very imite6 extent, as
compared with her population and
wealth, and hence We have always been,
in this respect, the most helpless and
dependent people of the civilized world.
1t is conceded that the greatest source
of weakness to the Confederate cause
was the lnadequacy of the material and
supplies of war for the numbers en-
rolled In our armies. We were stronger
In every other respect. There was, of
course, much to admire in the refine
ment and culture of Southern society
before 1.-THE war; but there was little
opportunity for that rapid increase of
population and general diffusion of
wealth so characteristic of the
North. Our people relied almost ex-
clusively upon agriculture, but the
people of the North, besides tilling the
ground, directed their attention and
energies to commerce and manufac-
tures-thOse other landmarks of pros
perity. The yearly increase Of popu-
lation and wealth IN the Northern
States, accordingly, far 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 country, in 1860 it
was less than one-third. The popula-
ton of Virginia in the early days Of
the republic almost equalled that of
any two Northern States, while in 1860
she ranked fifth in the census list, and
averaged only twenty-six persons to
the square mile, whereas Massachu-
sets averaged one hundred and fifty
| seyen.
Our material progress, then, from
year to year, WIS not what it should
have been, and in that respect the result
was a continuous loss Of power and in
fuence upon the part of the South.
This fact is indisputable, whatever the
causes may have been. And it is use
less now to inquire whether it was the
result of false craftsmanship and an
unfortunate prejudice against COM
merce and manufactures, or the effect
Of our peculiar institutions. The
causes, however, no longer exist: and
our present condition and opportuni-
ties are such as should insure us, if
true to ourselves and to the
lessons of the past, our full
share Of prosperity. The losses,
hardships and sufferings that have
befallen our people are well calculated
to make them appreciate now the i'm
portance of developing all our resources,
and viii no doubt educate them not
only to realize the necessity Of labor,
in all its forms. as the means Of ma
terial success, but also to honor It as
an essential condition Of social progress.
There could be no better schooling for
our people in this respect than their re-
cent experiences, and they already I'M
derstand, in all its force, the true
meaning. as well as the philosophy, of
the Divine decree, "By the sweat Of thy
brow thou shalt earn thy bread"
General Logan well says that what
the whole country now needs, so far as
her material prosperity is concerned,
is, that the South on the one hand
should acquire some Of the character
istic thrift and business energy Of the
North; should build up her cities by
manufactures and commerce; should
populate, improve and cultivate her
waste districts; should omen and 6per-
ate her mines; and should, IN short, de-
velop as rapidly as possible all her ma
terial resources; while the Northern
people, reconecting that eternal Wig
lance is the price of liberty" should
on their part cheek any further ten
deney to Capitalization, whether in the
executive, legislative, or Judicial de-
partments. While we should study
more the science and art
Of wealth. they should study
more the science and art of
government. Corrupt administrations
in some of the Southern States and
the demoraHzing influence of adven-
turers and ofice-seekers over our col
ored laborers may continue to depress
business and enterprise, but there is
now reason for believing that these
blighting Influences viii bonlye tenn
porary. The future of the negro in
the South, as a voter and citizen, is an
interesting subject of vital Importance;
but 1t involves a problem which time
alone can solve. We can, however, at
least, see the beginning Of the end, for