Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-20
Young Virginians.

In Texas l saw many young men from Viz
ginia, sons Of the best families there, intelligent
and Of excellent character generally. In con-
versatiOn with one of them, 1 told him that
had recently been looking about in his native
state, and that 1t seemed to that all energetic
young Virginians were needed at home, and that
there was abundant opportunity and reward for
labor there; and / asked If he liked the life In
Texas better than work in Virginia. He said he
did not, but that 1t was not yet the fashion for
young Firginans of good family to engage In
hard, rough work near their homes in the Old
Dominion cit would not do for me to work
by the month there for such wages as are paid
mere Ii would be too much Of an affection for
my family, and should lose caste with my lady
friends If man has no money he cannot be-
gin in Virginia, because he would be eassed
with the poor whites and the negroes with
whom his work and circumstances would bring
him into competition. But he can come out
here and rough it. and If he has no money he
can work by the month at herGing, or driving
team, till he gets start" l suppose this Is
true, for heard the same thing often in various
places in Texas, and in Virginia and Tennessee
the parents Of many Of these young men gave
me the same reason for the emigration of their
sons TO Texas Perhaps these reasons would be
equally potent with everybody, but at any rate
could see that many young men in the south
west work harder. and live In far rougher and
more uncomfortable ways than would be neces-
eary In the older states and that they do not make
SO much money as they might there. There is
apparently, as much emigration from Texas
Too, as from any other southern state. The
talk is everywhere OF better country than this 4"
In Mexico and New Mexico, and one soon re-
ceives the impression that nobody is settled or
Is at all certain or remaining very long. even in
Texas. i found IN every part of the south
decided and extensive movement of the a9rcul-
tural class, both white and colored, toward the
southwest and west In many cases the prin-
cipai reason FOR this movement, so far as could
discover, is the Improvement which is taking
place in the Older regions of the south When
'the new order Of things" begins to mani
fest itself in southern community there are
many persons, of the poorer classes who feel re-
PEELED rather than attracted by the indications
OF approaching change. and in their restlessness
and discomfort they leave their old homes hop
Ing 10 IND more cOngenal conditions in newer
and more spsrsey populated regions. Many of
theae persons depend only In part upon agricul-
ture for their subsistence. They obtain some
portion OF their living by hunting and fishing,
and these occupations are much more to their
taste than steady work of any kind. These emf
grants often say: Its agoin' to cost too much
10 live hyur;' and they are undoubtedly correct
In this conclusion. 1t will certainly require more
money and more labor to live under the i'm
proved conditions in the new south than have
hitherto been necessary under the old order Of
things: and MANY southern men, of the classes
referred to. reason. rightly enough. that for them
the improvement and progress promised by the
signs or the times not likely to bring an in
crease Of happiness.