The daily gazette., 1878-08-15
Prospects of the South.
WHAT THE NEXT CENSUS WILL SHOW
RELATIVE PROGRESS OF THE
VARIOUS STATES SINCE



Ihere are many reasons for thinking
lnat the national census of 1880 will re-
veal surprising recuperation over the
whole sixteen States constitutino tbe sec-
ton known as the South. This reaction
may not be so decided in population. but
In actual wealth, manufactures and agri-
culture 1t will be found unexpectedly
great. 1t is, of course, known and adj
initteu tnat the progress of Texas and
missouri has been very remarkable in all
material aspects. In fact, these two
states Will contest with Virginia the posi-
ZION OF the leading Southern State.
Eventually it seems likely that Texas
Will outstrip all other Southern States
unless her territory shall be divided. But
Missouri is so near to the great sources of
southern capital, so convenient to St.
Louis, dncinnati and Chicago. and NOS
sesses such enormous resources. that her
progress must be very rapid and astonish-
ing.
Next to these States. Virginia will
ProDao,y make the best show, her people
having peen almost entirely clear of law
iessness since the civil war, her peace
having been perfect and undisturbed. and
ner entire attention given to the recovery
from the waste and desolation of war and
che development of her neglected inter-
hal resources This progress might have
been made much greater: but- IN truth
the sufferings of Virginia during the wa,
exceeded those of any three other South
ern States combined, and her losses of
men included large proportion of her
best elements. Georgia will make a pros
porous display in material wealth, but not
In increase of population. Manufactures
nave made much progress there during
the past ten years. But the State has
iost seriously by the emigration of her
ulssatisi1ed freedmen with their families.
North Carolina has been generally tram
gun since the war, and has made consid-
cradle beadway.
Kentucky and Tennessee have been
distracted by resistance to the excise taxes
on tobacco and spirits, which have been
the real causes of the outrages by mid
night marauders attributed to political
organizations. These troubles are wide
spread, and seriously interfere with the
prosperity of the two States. The excuse
Tor them is that the unavoidable opera
tion OF such taxes is to favor the creation
OF vast monopolies, and to crush out all
small concerns. 1t seems to be conceded
tnat this result is a necessity for the pro-
per collection of the revenues, and is so
IN all countries where such taxes are en-
iorced. Many parts of the South are still
disturbed by these troubles. Since the
whlskey excise was perfectly successful
IN the Northern States the great distiIling
business has been chiefly monopolized by
the West, so that tho struggle now is be-
tween the West and South.
There has been considerable material
progress In Delaware, Maryland, West
virginia aud Florida, sufficient, in fact.
10 compensate for the losses of South
Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi and
louisiana; In Florida the largest in
crease will be found in the agricultural
dlstrlcts OF the northern counties, into
which there has been a large and STEADY
emigration from Alabama, Georgia and
lMissippi. The influx into West Virginia
has been chiefly from the old sources
rennsyivanla and Ohio, but the weak |
ness OF the State government is a sad |
drawback on the prosperity of the young
Pittsburg seems to have
the most commanding influence in that
region. Arkansas has become TRANQUIL |
and hourishing of late years, and shares |
In the progress of Missouri and Kansas
, Ihe cotton culture has recovered its
FULLEST antl-war proportions, and must
have enriched the planters and dealers.
The tobacco culture has not recuperated |
C, 10 the same extent, but is doing well. |
The rice culture has taken a great start, |
and has proved very profitable in Louis /
ana, Georgia and South Carolina. New
Orleans has done much for rice, sugar
and cotton, Notwithstanding all her po-
lticDl distractions. In all the Southern
States great progress has been made In
wheat, corn and live stock. Stock-rais-
ng has peculiar attractions for Southern
armers. Railroads, mining and manu-
actures have struggled under the disas-
rous influences of want of capital and
n the main these interests have improy-
I'd at the South. Altogether, the condi-
ion of the South warrants larger efforts
% secure its trade for our own trades
nen.-Phl. North An,eracan.