The Van Buren press., 1877-11-06
Our Condition..

There was never aphorism more pure
| " true than that we are never content
with the Circumstances-no matter how
mnchsoever proptious-by which we
are surrounded. If prosperity does not
linger near us always, in our daily am
buIations we pine, and are exceedingly
troubled. If we are successful in the
varied enterprises of our lives, we won
der why we are not more so.
In our own sweet, suany home we are
mpre advactageously situated than at
any time since the war; and still we are
dissatisfied The earth has opened its
capacous breast, and from its mellow
depths all natures choicest gifts to man
most bountilGIIg t, him have sprung.
/ The gentle summer breeze has kissed
alike the luxuriant- headed wheat, the
siIl<en-tasscIcd corn, and tr-colored cot
ton. The tress have bowed their bran
ches beneath the heavy weight OF fIult
that hung thereon. Our barns are filled
with plenty, and the voice Of prosperity
adds charm to the scene. Autumn, our
choicest season, looks in upon the recll-
ming summer, as she rePoses from her
labers. and. in tho melancholy moaning
Of her breath, sings to her winter sum-
bers, the liteseason of the year. Is 1t
any wonder that we love our Southern
home, with her fruitful fields, her lovely
climate Do you think it strange that
she winds the arms Of her enchantment
around all who come within her inhu-
ence and wins them away from the colder
cimes of their birth Let people come
South from the North, and their hearts
will be touched by the happiness and So
ciaIity, Nature, in almost oriental beau
ty, will present living pictures more ex-
travagantly beautiful than they have ev-
er before seen. They will see the Eden
of America. Yes, kind reader, let us
be thankful that We are permitted to live
in our own dear South.
And all the more thankful will we be
whea we contrast our condition with
that of the North. The old States are
manufacturing, rather than agricultural
in their interests. The farms are, in the
large number of cases, small, and the
labor required to make them productive
very great During the residence, by
. the writer, of nearly three months. in
the east, he had an opportunity to Oh
serve the terrible busines lethargy thai
had seized upon that section. The ma
chine shops were some closed, some run
ming half time. The factories were il
} similar condition. The wages paid il
: the latter, were small, and when reduced
! half, by the three days plan, will barely
afford a subsistence. There is no doub
, but in that scction-whch contains {
+ larger population than it can support
; many will be without employment, ant
tkfspost tGrGihlehtYPtG6y G6i sun. lug IN ,n
e be computable. All kinds of mechanic
5 are ovcrrun, and so pressing are the ne
Z cessities Of some that they are glad t'
+ work for their daily food. In New Yorl
+ city there are more, far more destitute
t people-thoSe who have nothing to eat
+ and almost nothing to wear-than caI
be found all over the South. In a word
i if soup-houses and benevolent soccte
t are not established in the large cities, il
= the east, bread-riots must ncccssaril,
I occur.
:, There are the two pictures. Compar
them, and see if your heart is not sur
{ teitcd with thanktulnass that our lovely
/ South is rising from the ashes of her hu
{ initiation more beautiful and prosper
, Gus than ever while our unmerciful tasl
5 masters are bowling beneath the burden
t, Of woe that they have long impose,
|, upon our section. If it becomes neccs
% sary, the noble generosity of the Soutl
i will be manifested in their sublime mod
- of returning good for evil.