Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-12-07
The South.

1t is admitted that the North surpasses
the South in all that constitut es free
and enlightened nation. This superiority
can not be ascribed to supposed natural
advantages or to peculiar texture of north
eru brain. 1t arises from q Practical
application in the North of the principles
Of political economy, principles which
must always he invoked for an explana-
ton OF the financial prosperity of any
country. Commerce, agriculture, manu-
fac,ure, and mining, with their manifold
divisions and subdivisions, unite to deve!
ope culture, and enrich great people
Our wealth springs exclusively from no
trade or profession, or flows wholly from
no state or section. Butt it is most abundant
where Investigation of industry Is great
est; aud in this fact may be found a rea-
son for tho intellectual and lndustri al
stagnation of the southern states.
Prior to the war the South was devoted
particularly TO agriculture aud was de.
pendent on slave labor. The advocates
of the "pecuIiar institution" believed that
it was tue throne of King Cotton and that
the overthrow of the monarch's royal sea-
would he the ruin of the sunny land. They
asserted that the South held slaves be-
cause she was agricultural, while she
really was agricultural because Of her
adoption of slave labor. The keen eye of
the political economist, however, saw the
real position of the South. In vain did
his science appeal to preiudiced people
and direct their eyes toward the North
and the fruits Of the application of its
principles. Every year riveted more firm
ly the letters of the black man, and the
cruel whip cracked out IN more startlin 6
S)und the curse of human bondage and the
industrial ruin of whole people. The
condition ofthe South was remediless; for
she would not abolish slavery, and slavery
could not co-exist with diversified indus
try.
But in good time q terrible war broke
out and demonstrated the weakness aud
lmpoverishment Of the slave-holding
states. Her speedy downfall evidenced
the folly of slavery and of its concomitart,
an UNMARRIED and single industry. The ab-
clifton of slavery, however, was not fol-
lowed, by prosperity,as many good people
fondly imagined it would be. For many
years stubborn prejudice and unyielding
pride. together with the slaughter of Re.
publicans and the os,racism of Northern
teachers and preachers, have repealed lm-
migration and discouraged investment of
capital. No invitation has been extended
to the ar,ificer, the architect, the designer,
or the mechanic. The apathy of the poor
people has been disturbed by no attemptto
awaken thought and cultivate a demand
for the comforts and luxuries of life. They
are content with the old regime Of cotton
raising ard they complain only because
the negro could not be compelled to do
their work.
The disparity between the North and
South will disappear. Already the dawn
OF new era is visible. The recen. expo
sition at Atlanta, in which the chief dis
play was the manufacture of cotton goods,
has called the attention OF the world to
the resources and posi- abilities ofthe south
ern states. The people them selves are
awakening from q dream. Their papers
are beginning to dilate on the necessity
OF manufactures and to speak in glowing
terms of the moral and social benefits
howinfi from the increased activity Of
mind and body. A very near future will
odd the South studded with factories,
school houses, and there will consequently
be stronger attachment to the Union. A
mild climate, fertile soil, and diversified
industry will make the southern states
the home Of the poor man and laborer,
and the peers of their now more prosper
Gus northern nelghbOrs.