Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-11

ACbuAho VI VuC AdtC GCLouo AOAaNtfC W bib ud-
tivity of the population of this State, presents
facts Of much interest. 1t appears that of the
10000 persons enumerated in Florida in 1880,
17S 4s1 were natives; 326O1 were from Georgia;
1882 from South Carolina: -12, ,O23 from Ala
bama; 6,297 from North Carolina; 3,329 from
Virginia and S3S from Tennessee. Now these
various figures aggregate the sum of 247.O .Oss.
In addition, nearly 10, 900 were born In foreign
lands. Deducting the total from the whole
number returned by the census. we have 13 600
as born in the remaining former slave States,
and the entire North and West. New York
contributes {, 2,s75, Mas .achusetts S62 and Penn
syIvania S55
1t is thus shown that the bulk of those born
outside of the State have been largely drawn
from those communities Immediately a6join-
ing or contiguous to Florida 1t also goes to
prove chat the population. contrary to a gen.
orally received opinion. is almost exclusively
composed of persons Of Southern extraction.
IL Is often said. and frequently admitted, that
Florida is being rapidly developed, and that to
an unusual extent by immigrants from North
ern and Western States Yet the figures given
by the above high authority are a complete
refutation to such opinions, and summarilv
demolish all Of the fnespun theories formed
on such basis
When you think Of the matter there is moth
ing strange in the occupation of Florida by
Southerners. 1t is a goodly land, and they ap-
preclate its advantages quite as fully as any
otnerS They are accustomed to the climate, the
productions of the soil and its cultivation, the
usages and customs of the people, and at once
accustom themselves to the change of locality.
What is odd to others is familiar to them, and
they are at once at home with their surround
ings.
There is but little consolation in the above
statistics to those who dream that Florida will
ever become in its ideas and sentiments
Southern Massachusetts or Vermont, and that
its political doctrines will ever coincide with
those of the present dominant party in New
England. There is a steadily increasing influx
of new comers from Florida's nearest neigh
bors, and the next census will show a con-
siderable number of Kentuckians. Over all
the numerous avenues leading into this State
from Alabama and Georgia, over all the many
wagon roads. there are constantly arriving
vehicles loaded with the effects of their
owners, vending their way to some Of the
lower counties. From each wagon you will
see protrudiDg the heads of a buxom
woman and half-a-doZen tow-headed
children. happy and contented pioneers.
| requiring but few Of the luxuries of life and
sturdily bent on making new homes and con-
quering the wilderness. They melt into and
are absorbed by the interminable pine forests,
| and few years after are the owners of nice
homes and fourishing orchards. They make
| no stir in the communities in which they set
| tie. Plain, simple, unostentatious people, their
advent is unheralded in the local papers, and
| they attract but slight attention. But they
| come and continue to come by scores, hun
| dreds and thousands, and the population of
| Sumter, fernando. Hillsborough, Polk, Mana
| tee Brevard and Monroe counties is annually
| largely augmented from this unfailing source
of supply. These are the men who are salts
| fed with forty acre tract, and who believe
| that they can make q livelihood without rails
| ing cotton. Bye aud bye modest cabins dot the
woods, the pine is replaced by the orange, a
school house is erected at the crossroads, fol-
lowed by church, and, presto there is a
thrifty community on its way to comfort and
independence.
Those sturdy fellows bring with them the
traditions and simple teachings of their
fathers. have not yet fathomed the occult mys-
terieS of 1.-The higher law" and have but
vague conception of Boston cllchGtU. Although
they acquiesce in the results of the late war
and although in the event of difficulty with
foreign power, no people in this broad land
of ours would seize their arms with greater pa
| triotism more alacrity in defense of the com
mon country. They repel with scorn and re-
| sentiment the application of such epithets as
''rebels" and traitors" hey believe in free
trade, a solid South-as long as the necessity
exsts-and vote unanimously and always for
the Democratic party.
The facts above presented, from official
sources, sustain me in the opinion which
have advanced in previous letters, that Ger
tainly three-fourths, and perhaps four-fifths,
of the new blood now being infused iuto
Florida courses through the veins of Southern
men and women. The dollars come from
Northern banks and safes. but the muscles are
of Southern origin The contrary opinion
arises from the fact that this State has become
the popular winter resort for so many thou
sands of our Northern brethren that it is for
gotten that the visitors are merely migratory
birds, and not permanent residents.
Then, too, in this age OF ShoddyiSm. wealth
and station exert such powerful influence.
Midas Dives, the millionaire, who has accumu-
lated an overgrown fortune by striking ile
the accidental discovery Of gold mine, or by
a profitable contract for army or navy supplies,
concludes to try winter in Florida, having
tired of Partisan ball rooms. He comes is
pleased with the country, and discovers that it
will be good investment, as well as the proper
thing, TO purchase en- orange grove. His check
is drawn for ten twenty or thirty thousand dol
lars, and assuming the airs of Don Magninco,
he begins to talk OF the erection of a baronial
castle, and of the vast and wonderful improve
ments suggested by his European experience.
Off goes the local paper in guSh of joy and
flourish of trumpetS, cOngratuiatiDg its readers
upon the acquisition of such benefactor, and
sends up rockets, which bursting. reve Al rail-
roads, canals and golden SPARKS and end in
puff OF smoke. A big fuss is made over Dives
aed the journals in his Northern home take up
the refrain.
Per contra. Bill Jones. of Cracker Town,
Georgia, also makes up his mind to try Fiori-
day. 80 he packs his cart, covers it with bed
spread, slows away Betsy and the young
uns," shoulders his rife, and, followed by his
faithful coon-dog, starts for the land of prom
ise. He enters a piece of State or government
land, and soon has his humble ca in up, and a
field cleared and fenced. Bill is too "Ornary"
an individual to be noticed by the knights of
the pencil, and slips into his grove without
hustle or parade.
The difference is that there are several of
Bill and few of Midas. The former is always
coming, while the latter only visits us occa-
Sionally. Bill stays, the other fellow skipS with
the sfirst warm weather. Bill helps schools
pays the circuit rider, and votes the Democrat
ic ticket Midas sends his children to Harvard
or Vassar, has pew in Beecher's tabernacle,
and supports the party of advanced morality.
Bill is advancing and progressing continually
Midas remains stationary on his money bags.
I am at home with Bill, but shall always be a
ctr RI In hn ct
Bill, Jr., may be Governor, and young Midas a
vagabond
l am fully convinced of the truth of the fol-
lowing two assertions First. that Florida will
never be, as the phrase goes, Yankeeized-and
second, that there is not the slightest prospect
that the State will veer from its present po-
lItical status. The figures given establish the
hrst proposition, and base my opinion with
regard to the second, on the grounds that the
white population, now in excess of the negroes,
is increasing far more rapidly than that OF the
blacks-that all of the Southern whites, and
half OF the Northern and Western men, COM
ing into the State, are Democrats, and lastly,
that the same party is constantly receiving ac-
cessions from the ranks OF the freedmen.
notice with much pleasure that the Georgia
Press Association have concluded to take in
Florida on their usual excursion, and hope
that their visit will be pleasant, profitable and
instructive Wander where they may through
the State. they will find many old acquaint-
ances and friends, and will be made to feel that
they are not strangers, albeit In land possess
Last Sunday will always be memorable in
the annals of st. johns Parish, of this city, and
will long be held in grateful recollection by the
members OF its congregation. On that occa-
sion the beautiful building, the handsomest
and most costly religious structure in the State
was formally dedicated to the worship of God
in accordance with the impressive ritual of the
Protestant Episcopal Church Rare and choice
flowers decorated the furniture of the chanceI,
and the music was delightfully."- rendered
Eleven ciergymen; and the Bishop of the die
cese, assisted in the ceremonies, which were
witnessed by vast concourse of citizens. The
good work. commenced in the morning was
crowned the same night by the confirmation of
twenty-three persons.
The reports of the Diocesan Council that
adjourned en- Monday show a prosperous CON
dition of the Episcopal Church in Florida
New parishes are being formed, and the growth
OF the denomination is steady and encouraging
The destruction of st. Johns saw mill, near
the city, last Sunday was most unfortunate, in
the heavy losses incurred, as well as the num-
0er OF persons thrown out of employment
The pay roll amounted to nearly three thou
sand dollars weekly, most Of which sum was
expended among our merchants.
Commodore Baya has con racted for another
steamer for his river feet, guaranteeing to &C
compllsh the great speed of eighteen miles an
hour in smooth water. She VIII be completed |
by the 5th of October, in time for the winter
travel, and will skim OF the cream. He has
also purchased another elegant boat, which |
will be placed on the line in the course Of |
month.
A sulphur spring on Arlington river the op-
posite side OF the st. Johns is to be developed
into a watering place and made desirable re-
sort for visitors.
The Sir Edward Reed syndicate have effected
all the necessary arrangements for the imme-
date completion of their railroads to Tampa
and Indian River, and expect to finish the work
by November. IL is expected that q large
European Immigration to the lands owuad nv