Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-29

JAcKsoNvILE, FLA, Sept 2S-Only one year
ago the Southern people, with the most re-
markable unanimity. were arraYed in oppo-
sition against President Garfield, and the party
of which he was the recognized leader. II any
one had prophesied that in less than a twelve
month these same people would have prayed
for his restoration to health with a fervency
that was unfeigned-would have sympathized
with his sufferings as sincerely as tho the
sick man was friend or brother, and would
have gazed upon his ifeless form with tears Of
genuine sorrow believing their cheeks, the pre-
diction would have been received with con-
tempt and derision.
And yet to-day the South bends over the
tomb Of the dead President with no idle mock
cry of grief The sable trappings that meet
the eye at every turn are the mere outward
tokens of a respect that is honest, and
regret that is universal. Time has wrought
many remarkable changes. but few so
speedy and so great as are expressed in the
altered sentiments Of this section. Somehow
the belief had become general that Garfield
would have been at least Just in his dealings
with the South; that he would have risen
superior to party and would have done all in
his power to promote the general welfare. A
feeling or security was taking root among us
that the worst was over, and that we might
confidently look forward to bright future of
peace, quiet and prosperity. Now there is
gloom and uncertainty, where there had been
hope and contentment. A new sea is to be
navigated, and the helm of the ship of state
has been taken by an inexperienced pilot, IN
whose guidance few feel any confidence. We
look on in fear and trembling, dreading that the
good vessel may again become entangled
among the breakers of stalwartisn %. and go
down with the hopes and wishes OF millions.
The miserable bastard who now crouches in
| his narrow cell in Washington. with the inef-
faceable brand of Cain scared into his b .ow,
struck the South a fearful blow when he
| raised his accursed hand against his august
victim. How strange that an instruments so
despicable could have worked such woe and
brought about such consequences
There is no hypocrisy in the sorrow enter
tanned by the South. When the news went
| flashing through our borders on that fatal I'd
| Of July that Garfield had been stricken down
by vlllainous assassin, groan or anguish
and a chill OF horror were felt and uttered by
| the entire community. Never was there
greater spcntaneity of sympathy for a sufferer
never was there more hearty deteStation of
a criminal. ALI hearts went out in tenderness
| towards the victim. and towards his noble
wife and little children. Men watched the
| fluctuations of the case for seventy-nlne days
with untagging interest, and hope and fear
alternately predominated as the scales hung
| trembling in the balance Prayer arose from
| hearts all unused to praying, and eyes, long
| dry, were moistened with unaccustomed tears.
It was sight seldom witnessed in the annals
| Of history.
see that the Macon people are congratulate
ing themselves upon the projected construc
| ton OF a railroad direct from that city to
| Tampa, Fla, and that the portion lying in this
state had been begun already. The road
| alluded to is the Florida Southern, which has
been completed between Gainesville and Pa
latka. The prong for Tampa will commence
/ at point between Gainesville and Micanopy.
/ From Gainesville the road will be continued
| north to Lake City, and thence to Dupont, Ga.
| In your State the road will pass through Perry,
/ SpoonVille, Eureka, Dooly, IrWinville, Edge
| field to Dupont 1t is asserted that the road
| will be commenced within ninety days after
| the charter has been signed by Gov. Colquitt,
and that fifty miles of the road in Georgia will
| be completed in the next twelve months.
| Among the names of the New York incorpora-
| tors is that of w. H. Aston.
No less than fUe railroads are projected to
/ Tampa and Charlotte Harbor. Two of these,
/ the South Florida, with Sanford as its northern
/ terminus, and the Tropical, which is part Of
1 the Yuee system, are making rapid Roadway.
| The Florida Southern, already mentioned, is
/ also making progress. The road from Live
| Oak and the Tampa, Peace Greek and Jackson
/ vile have surveying parties in the field, and
i expect soon to commence active operations.
ut never rains but it pours," and heavy
| shower OF railroads is falling upon the PENN
/ sula. That portion of the State is only hun
/ bred miles wide. and if these lines all con-
4 structed they will be within hearing distance
of each other. At all events active competi-
ton and low freights are assured. 1t looks now
Il
i future of Florida.
The Disston purchase was the spur that
/ woke up these companies into such activity.
| There can be but little doubt that several of
these charters would have remained dormant
| for greater or less period had the big sale OF
/ the four millioni acres not occurred. Anxiety
| TO secure the benefits the Internal Improve
menU lands ere it was too late woke the sleep
1 ers from their slumbers and aroused the lag
| ging energies. Florida is greatly indebted to
| SIR. Disston and his associates for having
fh,r " inf fha be oft
/ unwilling animal.
| BY the way. this company has received the
patent from the State for the first $50 600 acres
| to which they are entitled, and are preparing
| maps for the grading corps, who are now in
| the field AS soon as the lands have been
graded they will be placed on the maj ket The
| second patent of $4,000 acres will soon be
| ready for the same process. The lands will be
| carefully estimated, and the valuation will be
| made according to quality OF soil, convent
ence of TRANSPORTATION and other advantages.
| Much of the land selected is comparatively
| worthless in its present condition, and will re-
| Quire much labor and outlay to fit it for culti-
| walton. The good lands must bring enough to
| pay for those that are valueleSS. There are pur-
| chasers now waiting for large quantities of the
| Disston lands, as soon as the ofaceiis ready for
business. This was q grand transaction for the
| State, and has expedited its development at
| least quarter of century.
| New faces are making their appearance upon
| the streets, and prospectors for locations go up
| the river by every steamer. Our summer wan
| derers are fast returning, and familiar coun-
tenances. which have been absent for the past
| few months, are again visible. A large portion
| of our population is originally from the North,
| and it has become the fashion among this class
| to pass each succeeding summer in cooler
climate. Thus far the city has been able to
| show an uncommouly clean bill of health, and
the prospects are favorable for a continuance.
1t is pleasant to know that the Grand
| National Hotel is to be placed in complete re-
| pair for the winter business. This fine build
ing is most eligibly situated, and If properly
conducted will always secure its full share of
patronage. Extensive alterations, addition, and
improvements are to be undertaken at once,
and it is expected that the doors will be thrown
open for guests on the first of December. An
elevator will add greatly to the comfort and
convenience OF the occupants. The work is to
be commenced Immediately, and will be
prosecuted vigorously. Jacksonville will have
| need of all the accommodations possible this
winter. for the number of visitors will be far
| beyond the average
The procession On Memorial day, last Mon
day was largest ever witnessed in this city,
lsnu was formed as follows:
Assistant Marshal and Aids.
Detachment of Police.
Union Band
Colored Odd Fellows
Citizens on Foot.
Detachment of Police.
Jacksonville Cornet Band.