The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1875-09-02
THE SOUTHERN OUTLOOK,
Mopgc. Jor me Beicr that have Occurred i
me- Hooiion.

Mongcs Jor me Beuer hat haze Occurred in
ne Section.
No part OF our country since the war
has undergone greater changes than
have the southern States. Left insa de-
yastated condition by the war, they were
cursed by a bad local government, and
in many localities by social and civil
contests which drove capital into other
parts OF the country by rendering prop
erty and even life, insecure. With
these troubles politics have had but
little TO do; true, there has been bitter
hatred between the two leading parties
Of the section, but this has been an effect
and not o Of the Frustrated oondi,
ton Of the country. The unsettled
state OF society a necessary consequent
Of the war ; the decentralization OF the
working classes the flocking OF laborers
from the rural districts to the cities ;
the immigration of numerous reckless
adventurers from all parts OF the world,
all %conspired to the injury OF the sonth'
ern States. BY this condition OF allairs
capital was Withdrawn from the country,
credit wrecked, and for come time
the prospect was anything but good !;
but time has wrought changes for the
better, and to-day the outlook in the
sonth is bet err, in some respects, than
that Of portions of the north,
In labor the south has largely the ad'
vantage. The usual price Tor plantation
HANDS in the south at the present time
is $l2 per month and board, while in
August, 1874, it was $50 and board.
While these rates are not particularly
%remunerative TO the laborer, they are OF
great advantage to the employer, and
will ultimately lead to more extended
operations in planting throughout many
parts Of the south. The destruction Of
the credit system in the south has
thrown every one on his own resources,
and consequently farmers and planters
are out of debt. Manufactures OF sew.
eral kinds have been carried on, success
fully competing with those in the north.
The political condition Of the country
has become settled most of the eading
men have accepted the results OF the
war have become tired Of strife, and
have resolved to maintain peace. The
largo crops of tho past few years have
also contributed materially to the ad.
vancement of the southern country, and
to the prosperity it now enjoys.
The results Of all these circumstances
may be seen in the increased acreage
planted in the south, and the large
number Of new country houses and cab
ms which arc being built, The towns
have been emptied Of their superlluous
population, and the city loafers are be.
taking themselves to the country, where
they find employment in abundance.
Lands in many sections of the country
may be purchased for five or six dollars
per acre when under cultivation, how
ever, good rents are demanded andpaid,
It is not wonderful, then, that the south
should be looked to by capitalists as a
region for the profitable investment OF
money. Nor will it be strange if capital,
which is now lying idle or being vested
ut low rates Of interest, should be di-
yerted from the north to the south,
where as much as twelve per cent. is
often paid for it's use. On the whole,
the condition of the south is promising
of future prosperity.