Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-08-27
THE SOUTHERN OUTLOOK
Through Northern Republican spec
GacIes.
st. Louis Globe-Democrat.


St. Louis Globe-Democrst.
No part of our country since the war
has undergone greater changes than
have the Southern States. Left in
devastated condition by the war, they
were cursed bya bad local government.
and in many localities by social and
civil contests which drove capital into
other parts of the country by render
ing property, and even life, inse-
cure. 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
cause the FRUSTRATED condition OF
the country. The unsettled state of
society a necessary consequent OF war;
the decentralization Of the working
classes; the hOcking of laborers from
the rural districts to the cities; the
immigration of numerous reckless ad-
venturers from all parts Of the world,
all conspired to the injury OF the
Southern States. By this condition Of
affairs capital was withdrawn from the
country, credit wrecked, and for some
time the prospect was anything but
good: but time has wrought changes
for the better, ara to-day the outlook
in the South Is better, IN some respects,
than that of portions of the North.
in labor tee South has largely the
advantage. The usual price for planta-
ton hands in the South at the present
time is So 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 ex-
tended operations in planting through.
out many parts Of the South. The de-
struchon Of the credit system IN the
South has thrown everyone on bis own
resources, and consequently farmers
and planters are out of debt. Manu-
features Of several kids have been
carried on, successfully competing with
those Of the North. The political con-
dition of the country has become set
tied most of the leading men have ac-
cepted the results of the war, have be-
come tired Of strife, and have resolved
to maintain peace. The large crops Of
the past few years have also contributed
materially to the advancement 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
cabins which are being built. The
towns have been emptied Of their SUI
perAuous population, and the city loaf
ers are betaking 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, however, good rents are
demanded and paid. 1t is not won
derful, 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 at
low rates of interest, should be di-
verted from the North to the South,
where as much as twelve per cent. Is
often paid for its use. On the whole,
the condition Of the South is promising
of future prosperity.