The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-07-12
THE SOUTHERN OUTLOOK.

progress and material development foi
the past decade has far surpassed thI
fondest expectations of most sanguin,
patriots. If these gratifying facts vii
have the effect of stimulating Southern
energy, and restoring commercial conf
| dence, our future is tull of promise and
greatness. Ever since the war it ha:
| been our habit, ifnot mournful pleasure
to brood over our poverty. Thus the
| elasticity of other years has given place
to depression and despair. The car o.
Southern progress has been arrested
and the proud capabilities of our sec
tion allowed to sleep in an inglorious in.
activity. But hope is beaming upon US.
In the face of all discouragements, sur.
rounded by the SCARED and charred re.
mains of former greatness, we are NOV.
ing onward and upward. Manufacto
ries of different kinds are springing up
over the Southern States. Last year
alone more miles of railroad were con-
structed in the South than in the Mid
die and New England States. Vegeta-
bic farming is becoming a great indus
try. Silk culture is increasingly pro-
ductiye. Horticulture is large source
of revenue at a season when money is
most needed. All these proclaim the
fact that ''there is life in the old land
yet"
To help forward this Frightening out
look and yet more hopeful prophecies,
we will indicate some duties that now
imperatiyely claim Southern attention.
1t is of foremost Importance that we
cultivate hopeful, cheerful spirit. The
South is richer than we have had heart
to hope or think. Invidious compari-
sons have been made so long between
the North and South that we have
greatly magnifed Northern wealth and
sadly miniied Southern capabilities.
This spirit has become morbid, and is a
reproach to our enterprise, intelligence
and boundless possibilities. Around our
firesides, to our children and with our
friends, we must talk more hopefully.
A man in good health has heen made
sick, and actually killed, by being con-
stantly told that he "looked so dread
fully" On the other hand, invalids
have been cheered and restored to health
by hopeful, happy friends. That spirit
we must cultivate. We have less res
son for gloom and despair than an
people on earth. We never read tn
history of France without blushing fo
our want of stern, masterful heroisn
Since the dawning of the present cel
tury how many revolutions have swer
over her like dreadful simoons of th
desert! The sound of one confiic
scarcely died away before the gatherin
clouds Of another was seen darkenin
her skies. Trampling armies sweT
over her fields, and left behind a trac
of blood and desolatiCn And yet the
thwarted their plans for a ses
son or dwarfed a single energy. 500
their desolate fields were made to smil
with waving grain, new and more sps
cious granaries were erected on th
ruins of the old, and the bland smile G
the farmer seemed to defy the clouds anC
thunder of war. The Franco-Prussia
war debt was paid with marvellou
by defeated people, ane
S to-day the greatest feat of nationa
known to history. VIII,
hen should we repine? The census ii
licates not only what has been done, bu
what we may achieve.
Again, our thinking and education
must be more practical. We have los
much in this regard. No section of ou
has been more productive
,reat men than the South, but history
hows that they were lanking in prac
ical craftsmanship. Their great re
discussion of the theory of government,
he nature of the federal compact, and
III issues that affected the nation, rather
han those local questions of develop
nent and enterprise which have so won
Ierfully enriched the North and East.
While the Southern mind was engaged
With these great questions, the keen
yed Yankee was busy in developing :
Iome, industrial and economical re- \
ources, opening rivers, digging canals, q
'uilding dykes, erecting manufactures, .
nd promoting every measure that could q
e turned into money. The result is a
ur theories have vanished, and with a
hem have flown our prestige and power. v
We need in the South more of that util- e
tartan spirit which so eminently charae- n
erizes the New Highlander, and which has L
lade the barren rocks of Massachusetts, a
ecome fountains of flowing plenty. t
With more genial sun, more produe- .
i've soil, as beautiful rivers, less ex- q
ensive winters than. the North, the V
outh should have outstripped her in II
he race, and to-day have been the robed o
nd sceptered queen Of this great West .
rn world. We are not jealous Of their Z
but acknowledge our own o
tilure to improve grand opportunities. a
We must forget old theories, and adjust
lrselves to new duties. The multipli- Il
alton and improvement of local indus
les must be our study and care. G
We should also encourage and eulti- u
ate spirit of confidence. We know u
lere has been too little confidence in T.
anly integrity. Suspicion has stereo- D
ped its forbidden form ON the chiyal- u
,us brow of our manhood, and thus g
rs. stayed the march of commercial Il
,osperfty. Commerce is founded on l
,nfdenee when that is lacking the al
her can not prosper. Capital in null Il
piled thousands IS idly waiting for in e.
Now We believe it will be ta
nlocked, and our country take an up II
ard movement. Here, in the city of al
ew Orleans, two and half million e'
ollars are being invested in building. ie
we would only consider it calmly, bt
lere is no section that promises richer IN
wards to capital and labor. Thous- p'
ids who wandered off after the war, CO
eking better country, would gladly al
turn if able. ae
We further venture to say that there ne
lould be less aspiration after political
Every citizen should, in az
le sense, be a politician, but not Ga
.eam and scheme for place and power. 50
ur restoration and greatness are not pe
be achieved by legislation, State or ~
ational. The eloquence of our states VI
en-, the patronage of the general gov 10 70
nment and the favor of the world, all II
III not give us glory and success. We ou
usF win ofIl yvay mt hy n0lfitieS but Su