The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-11-28
The Future of Memphis.

The Memphis Ledger, in a recent is
sue, prints the following: What is to
become of Memphis? !" "This question
is often and anxiously asked by re-
turned refugees and by thoughtful
friends of the city who do not live here.
This is really a serious question, and one
we do not undertake to answer at once.
The business season has been shortened
over two months. We have lost four
thousand people by death and Others
would go away if they could realize
half-price for their property. But real
estate has only a nominal value now,
the well-to-do classes have as much as
they a carry; and outsiders cannot be
expected to make investments here
soon. The Legislature may do some
thing to enable the city to stand off the
bonded debt and the mandamuses, but
if the entire debt were wiped out we
would still be surrounded by difficulties.
We must not expect too much from the
State or National legislation. The
people must unite and help themselves,
and we still urge that a sanitary mass
meeting be called at an early day to con-
slider what should be done to promote
public safety and prosperity. Memphis
is not ruined by any means, nor has a
period of decaaence set in. Cotton grows
all around us as well as ever, and the
population within the radius of Mem
phis trade is becoming more dense every
year. No place in the South has ever
been destroyed by epidemics. Take
New Orleans, for instance, which has
suffered oftener and more heavily than
any place in the country. In the year
1920 the population of New Orleans
numbered twenty seven thousand souls.
During the years 1873, 1922 and 1929 the
city suffered terribly from visits of the
terrible scourge, yet in 1880 the popula-
ton had increased to forty-six thousand
three hundred and ten. In 1888, 1885 and
1887 there were epidemics, yet during
that decade the growth of the city was
most wonderful, the population reaching
n hundred and three thousand one
hundred and ninety-three. Again in
184l, 1843 and 1847 there were epidemics,
but still the census of 1850 showed q
population of one hundred and sixteen
thousand three hundred and seventy
five. 1852 was the terrible epidemic,
1858 was another epidemic year, but
the census of 1860 foots up a population
of one hundred and sixty-eight thous-
and four hundred and seventy-fve. In
1867 there was another epidemic, and
the census of 1870 shows a still furthe r
increase-191,418 From the little col
ony of B~ienville, of fifty souls in I718.
New Orleans has thus gradually ex-
banded its borders far out into erst-
while impenetrable swamps, and along
the shores of the Mississippi, from the
plains of Chalmette to the upper line of
Carrolton, has now a population of two
hundred and twenty-five thousand, and
but for the far more direful calamities
than pestilence the census would show a
still more largely increased population
Our own history is but a counterpart Of
that of New Orleans. We have been
liable to epidemlcs for more than a gen.
Grafton, and yet have steadily increased
in wealth and population. The last sad
blow, however, will be felt for a longer
time than usual, unless we unite in
measures that will place the city in a
sound sanitary condition. We have
great faith in the vitality and elasticity
of Memphis, but to recover speedily
from u misfortunes every citizen
should be willing to sacrifice some
thing, and to unite in a common effort
for the common good. 1t is cheaper to
sewer and clean up the city han to run
every year. There were, at the least
count, twenty-five thousand refugees
from Memphis, and their expenses could
not have been less than 81 per day
each. to say nothing of loss of property
and business at home. This amounts
to $25,0OO per day, or 1 800, 900 in two
months spent by the Memphis refugees.
That sum would sewer the city, and
place a tunnel from end to end of the
bayou. From this time on we must ex-
hibit pluck and enterprise enough to
show the world that we know Memphis
is worth saving. Then we will attract
capital and emigration. But we must
look within for help frst-it will come
to us afterward from the outside"