The New York herald., 1879-02-10
A Letter from General Sherman on
Southern Progress
WHAT HE SAW DOWN IN GEORGIA
The Industrial and Agricultural
interests Considered.
SOUND ADVICE TO EMIGRANTs

Of Atlanta. Go The General gives the result Of his
observations through the State Of Georgia and points
out irs advantages to those persons who contem
plating emigration He shows the need Of the FUR
ther developments Of the SOUTH and compares pro-
gress that respect with the material progress OF
tho West Hc gives also explanation of the
phrase carpet basgers." and Expresses the opinion
that IN another generation the much talked of soca
ostracism" viii disappear:-
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
ATLANTA. Gs., Feb. I, 1879.
General ", T. sHKnMAx:-
DEAN Srn-In the esnrse Of several conversations
while you were IN Atlanta you were pleased 70 refer
70 the growth and prosperity Of tho city and TO
material progress made by the people Encs the
You also spoke of the healthfuness OF our climate
and the advantages offered hero 70 capitalists and
dustrious immigrants.
Your position during tho war gave you an oppor-
tunity to study carefully State and especially
Atlanta. BY the time this reaches you you will have
passed entirely the State. and have thought
that II you could be induced to write the result Of
your observations with respect to the natural avan-
tages Of our soil. climate aud the resources Of our
section II might bo the of attracting tho atten-
ton Of those Who have capital a. wcll as those who
control and give direction TO tho tide Of immigration
know that continual demands. Official and social,
made upon your time, but was struck with
the aptncss of some of your comments and the prac
cal nature Of your suggestions that have ventnrcd
y "' ''' .E p. HOWELL.
GENEnAL sHERSfAy's REPLY
ST. AvuUsTIxx Fla, Feb. l. 1879.
captain IS. r. dOWELI4, Atlanta, fa.:-
MY DEAR SrR--Your most acceptable lettcr of Feb
ruary reached me here yesterday aud avail myself
Of the first moment Of leisure to reply.
My opportunities for studying the physical fea-
tures OF Georgia have been even argor than you
ton. In 1884, went from Augusta to Mari
eta in q stage (wlien Atlanta had no existcncc);
thence TO Bsifontc, Ala. on horseback. returning
sfterward all the way on horseback to Augusta by
different road; Igain. in 1854. conducted all the
world knows, vast army from Chattanooga to At
lsnta and Savannah. and just now have passed over
tho Same district In railway cars. Considering tho
history Of this period Of time thirtyfve ycars the
development Of the country has been great but not
comparable with California Iowa. Wisconsin or Kan
for observation. The reason why Georgia has not
kept pace with tho States have named is beyond
question that emerston would not 60 where slavery
existed. Now that this cause is removed there is
longer reason why Georgia. especially the north
part shoulds not rapidly regain her hroxninence
among the great States Of our Union. 1know that
no section is more favored in climate health soil.
minerals water and everything which man needs for
his material wants and to contribute to his physical
and intellectual development. Your railroads. al-
ready finished. giving your people cheap supplies
and the of sending in every section their
have immense beds of iron and coal. besides mex
haustibe quantities of TIMBER oak, hickory, beech,
poplar pine &C.. 30 necessary in modern factorics
and which are becoming scarce in other sections Of
North Georgia is peculiarly adapted to fruit or
chards, to gardens and small farms; and all you
need 70 make it tenn with prosperity 10 more people
from that class OF Northern farmers and manufac-
turers. and that other large class of European omi
From . wilderness into comfortabie homes for its
millions Of oontonted people.
ROOM yoR MILLIONS.
have crossed this continent many times, by
almost every possible route. and feel certain that 1t
ments for ndustrious ensrants as that rom Lynch-
burg. Va. to Huntsville. Ala. right and left. en-
b.scns the mountain a. ranges and Intervening
and Alabama. hope will not give of'ense in
saying that the present population has not done
full Justice to this naturally beautiful and most
favored region or country. and that three
millions OF people could be diverted from the great
wost to this region with profit and advantage to all
concerned. This whole region, though called
Southern. is. in fact. 'northern"--viz., it Is
wheat growing country: has climate in no sense
small farms and not for large plantations. In tho
region have named North Georgia forms q most
censGs or capital is smraby sansed dt' shonl
sand feet above the healthy. with abundance OF
the purest water, and with granite. lime
build second London. In 1894 nv
army. composed Of nearly . hundred thousand
grouped about Atlanta from June TO November
without tents, and wero as vigorous, healthy and
strong - though they were in Ohio or New York.
Ocmulgce. Is famous for health. pure water. abun-
dant timber. and with a large proportion OF good
soil. especially in the valleys, and all you need is
moro people Of the right sort.
BRIDGrSG THE cHAsM.
am satisfied. from my recent VISIT that Northern
professional men, manufacturers. mechanics and
farmers may come TO Atlanta. Homeland Chattanooga
with certainty Of fair dealing and fair encourage
ment. Though was personally regarded tho bete
Of the late in your region. the author of all
your woes. yet admit that have just passed over
the very ground desolated by tho civif war, and
have received everywhere nothing but kind and
courteous trestment from the highest the lowest
and heard Of no violence to others for opinion q
sake. Some Union men spoke to me of social ostrs-
cism. but saw nothing OF it, and IL IL exist II
must disappear with the present generation. Our
fonnd on IN" personal snd poc sdnssy
citizens and philosophy teaches that social dstnc-
tions can only rest on personal merit and corre-
nifty clings distinctions founded on past condi-
tioDs will grow less and less with time and finally
or privileged class at tho south on tho fact thee
their fathers OF grnndfathcrs once owned slaves
will result In ridiculous, failure ana sub
jcct tho authors 70 the laughter of mankind.
l refer to this subject incidentally because others
have argued the case with me- but whether attempted
elsewhere in the South am certain 10 will not
be attempted In Georga therefore, sha believe and
maintain that North Georgia il Ia Q condition to
n, any sro rr r an o. our
should advertise widely the great Inducements your
region holds out TO the industrious and frugal OF all
lands. Agents should be appointed in Now York TO
advise, and others at Knoxville, Chattanooga Kome
Atlanta, &c. to receive cinigrants and to point
them arrival where cheap lands may h, had with
reasonable credit, where companies may open coal
and iron mines, where mills may be crrctcd to grind
when, aud corn. spin cotton and to manufacture tho
thousand and one things you now buy from abroad,
and moro especially to make known that you are pre-
pared to welcome aud patronise men who will settle
IN your rtBsvn snu iorAl psrt OF your community.
60 soU1H
Your growth and development since the war hsve
been good. very good-oettor than Twas prepared to
Portland Oregon; Lcaveuworth, Chicago. 81 LOUIS
or hundreds Of other places could mention, less
favored in climate and location than Atlanta. These
cities have been notoriously open tho whole world
and all men felt perfectly st liberty 10 90 there with
their families, with their acquired wcalth and
with their personal energy You must gusran-
tee the same, not supcrfcislly sclnshly.
but with that snceritys and frankncss which
carry conviction. Personally, would not like to
check the ncw Of emigration westward. bccsusc OF
the vast natural importance cf that region, but do
believe thai every patriot should do what he can to
benefit every part of our whole country, and. am
that good will result from turning part Of this
great tide of human life and energy southward along
the valleys OF the Alcg nany Mountains, especially OF
East Tennessee Northern Georgia and Alabama, and
II can aid you In this good work assure you that
will do with infinite plcssurc-
VINO 'CARrEr- BAcoHnf'
Excuse me II 1. ask you. editor, to let ND
somewhat on tho rsvoritc hobby OF "csypetpaggefs'
know that you personally apply the term only