Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-12-27
Monday Evening, Nee. ~. IssO
RUGBY.

ANAEAH
Cumberland plateau in Scott, Morgan
and Fentress counties, is the best
advertised enterprise in the state. The
fact that it was founded by a distin-
suished Englishman, well known on
both sides Of the Atlantic was a good
advertisement at the start. 1t was
She first effort Of the kind since the
war, and quite a diversion on the flank
Of the great immigration movement,
which for years has been filling up the
great northwest and incidentally con-
hibuted considerably to the popula-
ton of Arkansas and Texas. Before
the war a large German colony was
founded in this region by Mr.. Girding
snd a number of other capitalists.
They we're in a highly prosperous con-
dition at the beginningO Of the late civil
strife, which drove most Of them
from their homes and vineyards.
These people fully demonstrated be-
fore 1861 that industry and economy
and sobriety will secure abundant
p~ros-9rity in that wonderfully health
full region. A revolution, for which
they we're in no wise responsible.
forced them to fee from their vine
clad cottages SO instinct with life, in
dustry and contentment. They were
dispersed to the north and to th'
south, to the west and back to thu
fatherland; controlling armies trample(
under foot their purple vineyards ant
orchards, sacked houses, burned theil
fences and laid desolate ons Of tn
fairest spots in Tennessee. Mr.. Gird
ing was a southern sympathizer aut
refuged south with his highly educatec
and refined family. After the war b
gathered up a large remnant from tn
wreck Of bis splendid property an,
va, living but recently enjoying quie
content and a good old age in the cit
Of Louisville. But the colony, whicI
had its capital, its business and socia
control of the village of Wartburg
in Morgan county, never reas
Bembled to drink each others ger
suldhsit," and rebuild the vast
places, once 50 smiling aud happy. A
quarter of a century later, an English
man, who entertains bread views, an,
represents both brains and capital
cOmes to the same neighbOrhOod t
establish another colony. Strangel
enough, yet illustrative Of the per
Vsrseness and obtusiveness Of humal
nature, the effort has been ridiculed
if not opposed, both b
those interested elsewhere, and b
ApOrtion Of our own state press, sue
opposition is worse than idle, it i
harmful Units tendencies abroad ifnO
At home, and will be retroactive fror
the outside world. theoretically "
welcome all who come from c~ivilize
Europe at least with the intention q
becoming American citizens, regard
less Of religious ta;th or politics
afinities. We hold that there j
room even ia Tennessee for a
who can come in the mex
century. and after that if the
become crowded, they eau go west, o
get up another war to kill of the sur
plus population. The CHAMBERLAIN,
plateau, which is a very extensive re
gion, is not as rich as the Mississippi
bottoms, but it is more productiv,
than New England, and the climate i
far more desirable. If the colonist
do not prosper and become self-sus
tanning, aud locally indie
pendent, it will be because the.
are lacking in the CHARACTERISED
pluck and perseverance Of EuglisI
people. The solid wealth and stabilit
Of a community cannot be acquired i
aday or in a year. Yet this settl,
ment is so near to market and has {
many advantages over our pioneC
ancestors that if it manifests only ha
their manhood it cannot fail 10 be in
Hourishing condition iin a very fe
ua..