Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-04-05
scEIIAM EoUs.
TOO MANY DOCTORS FOR AN On
APPRECIATIVE PATIENT,

The following ablo article, from tho Nash>
vile Aduocate, We insert at the request of
libsral-minded intelligent northern gentle-
man, fer some years past an enterprisins cit.
izen of our county:
It is q fashion TO assume that the South is
sick. Everybody wants to play doctor. The
politician is ready with his prescription of
special legislation. The philanthropist in.
sists on thrustiug down her throat theories
never put into practice anywhere else. Ad-
vice and reproof are offered to her without
limit by the political economist. The sem
sational pulpit usos the South for striking
illustration aud disparaging allusion. Tho
novelist, when other topics fall unon the
popular taste, has only to 60 on q FOOLS err
rand to got hearing and to turn penny.
Every quack has his own diagnosis and
mode of treatmont.
The bewildered and obstinate patient is
denounced because she docs not swallow all
the medicine prescribed by these self.ap>
pointed doctors. 1t is in vain that she as.
! sures them that she docs not feel SO very sick
after all, and that she is pretty comfertable,
aud hopes to do very we'll. They insist that
she is very sick, and that unless something.
is done quickly she must die. On the ono
hand we have any amount Of gratutous adj
vice, and on the other, invincible obstinaey.
Now, q patient is not always good judge
of his own condition, but usually sick per
son knows he is sick. What about tho
South What is its real condition i?
1t has been asserted that the South was
being depopulated, and that nothing but
immigration could save her. The revelations
of the lato census dispeled that illusion.
Instead of being depleted the South has
grown rapidly in population during the last
ten years. The immigration doctors were
wrong in their diagnosis.
Il has been seid that the South was pcr>
ishlng for the lack Of reliable labor system
1t has been charged that the whites wero
too proud, and the negroes too lazy, to work,
and that both races were in danger Of star
walton. That illusion was dispelled by the
annual exhibits of the Agricultural Bureau
OF the Government, showing increased pro-
duetien and heavier exports than ever
before.
With more plausibility, it has been said
that Ignorance is the disease that is killing
the South. The census of iliteracy is pas
raded, and we are told to swallow the new
educational nostrums prepared for us OF die.
A comparison Of criminal statistics, which is
the true test of social soundness, shows that
the South is in as healthy condition as her
sisters. There is no ground for boasting
anywhere on this score. But these stats.
tics strengthen the opinion long entertained
| by many in all parts of our country that
mere sharpening of the intellectual faculties
is not the only condition necessary to the
stability. prosperity and happiness of State
more important faotor is the religious be-
lief and moral status of the people The
plain tiller of the soil, who signs his namo.
with = cross>mark, and yet believes in God
and in mortality, is a safer depository of the
liberties and happiposs of State than the
graduates of any system of education that at>
tempts moral culture without recognition
| of God aud sense Of accountability to Him.
At this point also the diagnosis is not alto.
gether correct, and the proposed treatment
is of doubtful efficacy.
Toe much doetoring will make q well per-
son sick. 1t is not wise to go to taking
medicine for every slight disorder Of the
body. A healthy boys "growing pains" are
not dangerous. Leave him alone and let
him grow. The South is growing in all the
clements of material and moral progress.
During the last fifteen years she has suffered
more at the hands of her volunteer doctors
and nurses than from all others. Under
earpst>bag rule she was bled within IN inch
| of her life; but she survived, and Ia now do.
ing we'll. Her appetite is good; her sleep
is sweet; her lungs are sound; her limbs are
strong; her eye is bright. Let her grow
awhile. Don't waste go much advice where
it is not needed. Don't discourage a brave
and struggling people with this unceasing
elsmor of censure or evil prophesying. Be-
fore the war the Southern people, in dealing
with difficult aud peculiar inherited eoDdis
tions, acted their part as we'll as any of their
censers would have done under the same
circumstances. Since the war they have
shown great adaptabiIity, and they have ex-
hibited, in marked degree, the qualities
requisite for political organization and self
government. They are not an efote race.
They are not barbarians. They are not
sick or dying people. They have given
many names to the roll of illustrious mes
whose lives are the glory of our country and
they will add many names to it in the future.
There is life ia the land yet. Let there be
q stop to croakiDg at home and of nagging
from abroad. The last ten years was a pc.
riod of marvellous progress to the South.
The next ten years will be still more pre-.
gressiye.