New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-03

Tried bv Northern standards, there are only
q few cities between the Potomac and the
Rlo Graudc that can he said To he growing
and prospering. These few are surrounded
by agricultural districts more Northern than
Southern in their climate and characteristics,
are engaged 10 some extent in manufactures.
and have a considerable infusion of Northern
blood III their population. Chief among these
exceptions to the general rule of lcthargy
and lack of progress are Richmond, Nashville,
Atlanta and Little Rock. CHANGING at the other
important cities OF the South, We find Norfolk
asleep by her magnificent harhor Ncwbcin
and Wilmington at Il stlndstill Charleston
unable to rebuild the large district burned
over during the war; Savannah rcpOsing IN
the midst of her beautiful parks and gardens
with barely 10000 inhabitants, although the
metropolis of the Empire State Of the
"South =; Montgomery showing no sign Of
growth; Mobile dilapidatcd and hopeless
Memphis Frustrated second time by an at
tack of yellow fever; Nicksburg looking just
rs unattractiVe rs ten years ago; New-Orleans
handling more cotton and sugar than ever but
erecting no new buildings, expanding little
for paint or repairs on the old ones and
allowing her streets to become cess-pOOls 10
breed il new peStilence Galveston bright and
CHEEKY. but with fewer inhabitants than she
mad IN 1873. The smaller towns that make
figure on the map as railroad centres or State
capitals are in 10 better condition. Some
have evidently seen better days; nearly all
have eliminated and are barely holding their
own
The changes in the labor system of the
South brought about by emancipation in
flicted heavy blow upon the trade of South
crn 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 for themselves at little
cross-road stores, which have sprung up all
over the country, and the planter does
good deal of his trading in the
county-town, because he cannot afford to go
to the city 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 neigh
boring 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 manufacturing facilities
i'll the United States, and that little
the North can speedily supply. 1t would
be folly for Southern towns to at
tempt feeble competition with the great
Northern factories. Capital, skilled and or
ganlzed labor and competent managers are
alike wanting. and if these could be obtained
If would take years to get possession of profit
able markets by crowdng out the powerful
interests already in possession of the field. 1t
is one thing to make cloths, shoes, carriages
tools and farm implements. and another to
find sale for them at remuncrativc prices.
The only substantial hope of these stand-still
Southern towns seems to be III the gradual
improvement of the rural population, and
especially of the colored portion of il.
Treat the negro fairly and encourage
him. instead of working as Il field-hand
for so a month and a ration of bacon and
corn-meal, to become an independent farmer,
owning the land he tills. and he will con-
tribute largely to the prosperity of the towns.
lie VIII buy two suits of clothes where he
now buys one he will want house instead
of a cabin more furniture, and better furni-
turc ii carpet perhaps, and sewing ma
chine improved agricultural tools good
harness for his mule in place of the cOmbna-
tion OF old ropes, straps and tow strings he
now uscs. and vehicle to ride 10 church in. i'll
these things will be supplied by the towns,
and they Will flourish just a. Northern towns
do which are sustained by thickly-setrled
country inhabited by independent farmers.
The old system Of big plantations and hired