The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-10-29
ADVICE FROM THE WRONG SOURCE
BUT GOOD, NEVERTHELESS.

| Adv I'VE rNOM 1 lie w hoNd poChSE
BUT GOOD, NEVERTHELESS.
As rule the New York Tribune can say
nothing touching the politics and domestic
policies of the South to which Democrat
can lend assent; but there is much in the
following article that is undeniably true,
and worthy Of the serious consideration of
the Southern people.
The changes IN the labor system of the
South, says the Tribune, brought about by
emancipation, inflicted heavy blow upon
the trade of Southern cities. They handle
as much of the leading agricultural staples
as formerly, and in some cases, more, but.
they do not sell the quantity of goods they
used to. In the days Of slavery, the planter
went once or twice year to the city where
he sent his cotton, and Bought shoes and
clothing for his negroes, and implements
and supplies for the plantation. Now, the
negroes buy Tor themselves at little cross
road stores, winch have sprung up all over
the country, and the planter does good
deal OF trading in the county town, because
he cannot afford to go to thtscity. Thus
the mercantile business of the cities has
been greatly curtailed. Some recompense
has come in additions to their wholesale
trade from the country stores, and in the
retail trade of the negroes on the neighbor.
ing plantations, but the problem Of future
development is hard to solve.
A great deal of foolish advice is bestowed
on these communities by short-sighted per
sons, the burden OF which is that they
| should start manufactures. There is at
present little demand for increased manu-
featuring facilities in the United States,
and that little the North can speedily sup
ply. It would be folly for Southern towns
to attempt feeble competition with the
great Northern factories. Capital, skilled
and organized labor, and competent man
ayers are alike wanting, and if these could
he obtained, it would take years to get
possession Of profitable markets, by crowd
! ing ont thn powerful interests already in
possession of the field. 1t is one thing 10
make cloths, shoes, carriages, tools, and
farm implements, and another to find sale
for them at remunerative prices. The only
substantial hope Of these stand-still South
ern towns seems to be in the gradual i'm
provement Of the rural population, and
especially of the colored portion of it.
Treat the negro fairly, and encourage him,
instead of working as a iied-hand for ten
dollars month and ration of bacon and
corn meal, TO become an independent
farmer, owning the land he tills, and he
will contribute largely to the prosperity of
the towns. He will buy two suits Of clothes
where he now buys one; he will want a
house instead of cabin; more furniture,
and better furniture; carpet, per
haps, and sewing machine; improved
agricultural tools; good harness for his
mule, in place of the combination of old
| ropes, straps, and tow strings he now Uses.
and vehicle to ride to church in. All
these things will be supplied by the towns,
and they will flourish then just as Northern
towns DO which are sustained by thickly
settled country, inhabited by Independent,
farmers. The old system OF inhabited
plantations and hired labor belongs to the
past, and is a relic Of the days of slavery
What the South needs is to change it, a.
fast as possible, for the Northern system Of
small farms, worked by their owners.
II may take long time, even under the
most favorable circumstances, to devclor
any large share Of the black population
into thrifty, prosperous landowners, but
the change is absolutely essential to the
welfare and progress Of the Southern States
and legislation and public sentiment should
unite to help it along.