Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-26
ESTABLISHED 1850.
GEORGIA AND THE TROJAN
HORSE
A Glance at the Present and CsiSmpses 3
at the Future.

ATLANTA. February 24.-Editor MOraiRq
Neacs: The genial sunshine that heralds the
approach OF spring inspires me to I'LL up a
leisure hour with few reflections that seem
pertinent to the times. and possibly bearing
upon the interests Of our own people specially
identified with the future of Georgia.
The general gaze is just now fixed upon the
FEDERAL capital, pending the ceremonies and
+ stivities that are to usher in another Of the
-asars. Mardi Gras is almost lost sight of,
while the juggIers of the mart and exchange
may suspend for the moment their tricks and
schemes to glance at the passing pageant Of a
new administration. The people, as q mass,
however, specially in this section, feeling deep
ly concerned in the material necessities of
their situation, look on listleSSly or decline to
raise their heads from their occupations. We,
ahthe South, seem to have settled into the
grim conclusion that, as controlling factor in
national affairs, power has passed from us for
ever and that political thraldom is to be our fate
The wave of Northern ideas is seen steadily ad-
vancing, assisted in its progress by some among
US, who hope to ride upon 1t to place and pelf-
regardless of al that distinguished what was
formerly considered honest statesmanship
1t would then appear that we were not only
overwhelmed in the field, but even the land
marks of all our philosophy are to be swept
away. We are to be invaded by all sorts of
tides-evo'ution in every form-tin not yes
tige of the old South shall be found, save in
our church yards and the archives Of our his
toFical societies. Some may contem-
plate this picture with complacency and
even satisfaction, but to old fashioned
Georgians such consummation furnishes
no occasion for te deunl, and presents many
reasons for doubt and distrust. Progress is a
good thing, provided it be progress in the
right direction and no Pandora's box be
opened on its march Money is q good SER
want, but, like fire. hard master, as the pee-
pie begin to realize in our politics, for it is to-
day more potent in naming Caesar than the
Pretorian Guards ever were: while the people,
in spite of the mighty efforts to enllghten
them by dlSbur sing tens of millions annually
on the public schools, are lulled into sweet
dreams of some new Utopia under the sooth-
ing promises of demagogues and spectators
working up boom of fancied prosperity.
The reconstI uction programme, having as q
political measure per Sc so far disappointed
the wise men who framed it, and the question
Of ruling Southern affairs being sill vexed
one, it may be opportune to consider whether
serious efforts win not be made in other ways
to accomplish what the New England philoso-
pliers desire. viz: the total disintegration and
destruction of the South as a distinct and sepa-
| rate entity. by process more tedious. per
haps, like the slow approaches of the skillful
miner combined with the insidious bribery of
| the garrison.
| The system of railroads from the Potomac
| to the Rio Grande is steadily passing into the
| hands of Wall street spectators, while new
| capital from the same quarter is being con-
! stantly SO icited for new and similar enter
| prises Fresh accessionS of capital TO develop
! permanently many industries where the fruits
are to remain and accumulate is desirable, but
/ the control of our great highways by un-
| friendly hands, or those not Immediately in-
terested in the future of our section politically
| or otherwise, while perhaps promising some
temporary advantage may terminate to our
! lasting detriment as an independent State, even
| in a very restricted sense
The State of Georgia, as yet, occupies an
! exceptional position among her neighboring
! sisters, because she has been able to preserve
| financial independence and material iden-
| tity of her own. For this identity she Is more
! indebted than to anything else to the fact of
her having been able. up to this time, to stead.
/ lily maintain firm grip upon her great arte-
ries of commerce and great lines of transpor-
! tation within her borders, which have been
worked honestly in the interest of our peoplc,
| and not converted into shuttlecocks for the
amusement of Wall street spectators Let
| her once lose control OF these, however, and
| the air is full of rumorS, allowing them to fall
into the possession of the stock jobbers, and
she may find that the Trojan horse has en-
tered her citadel while she morally languishes
! in the coils of the anaconda
All honor to the able and patriotic managers
| of our leading railroads in Georgia, who, up to
| this hour, have successfully fought the battle
against the giants of Wall street. The people
| should cease unreasonable complaint and
! clamor, stand by their great highways, and
hold up the hands of the managers in this
| great warefare, upon which, in a great meas
ure, depends the individuality Of our State.
As<+%.