Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-14
THE SOUTHERN OUTLOOK.
Liberal Expressions from \ western
Republican journal.
Chfcaao Ilter.Oosnn. sth.


Apart from its political condition and
prospects, the South is more prosperous
now than it ever was before. Even the
Southerners themselves admit this. They
no longer look back upon ante.war times
as their golden age. The products of
Iexas alone are worth nearly one hun
bred millions of dollars, including only
the products actually marketed-the sur
plus supply.
The outlook for the future is still
brighter. The liberal appropriation made
by Congress for the improvement of the
Mississippi river will go far to restore the
desolation wrought by the floods of some
months ago. There is only one way to
restrain that treacherous river within
bounds and prevent vast areas from being
rendered uninhabitable, and that is
for Congress to do it by appropriations
out of the National Treasury. The
Democratic party has always been hostile
to internal improvements, and many
Republicans are disposed to join in the
outcry against the policy. A Southern
paper states that "the States along the
Mississippi are profoundly happy over
the liberality of Congress and the intelli-
gence of the River Commission, and the
same authority adds that sit is firmly be.
lleved that hereafter the Mississippi navi.
cation will not suffer from any obstIuc-
ton, and that the riparian district will
be free from disastrous foundations.
Should this hope be realized that alone
would be liberal return upon the en-
tire river and harbor appropriation.
For the purpose of transportation the
river is fast becoming comparatively in
significant There is no use in water try
ing to hold its own to any extent as
against iron, or steel, rather. The cotton
and sugar along the water courses will
continue to float to New Orleans, but
the now diversified shipments in and out
of the South mainly find transportation
by rail.
Arevolutlon is gradually being effected
in the transportation of perishable pro-
ducts. Cars which are alike protective
against heat and cold are gradually COM
ing into general use in every part of the
country. AS we write, party of CAPT
talists from Texas are in Chicago to in
They will look into the business
direct shipment of dressed beef to New
York and New England from that
State; then, too, in time the South,
which now furnishes Chicago with fresh
vegetables far in advance of their pro
duction hereabouts, will find a general
market throughout the country for that
kind of product, and derive immense
revenue from supplying it. Every bust
ness link between the North and South
must serve to strengthen the bonds of
the Union. In proportion as each sec
ton is helpful to the other will the old
sores heal and the scars disappear.
In the days of slavery a very large
proportion of the revenue of the South
from exports was consumed in such
1ecessaries of life as corn and wheat
The relatively small net proceeds of the
years crops were invested in more slaves
or far.brOught luxuries. All this is
changed The Memphis Appeal est,
mates the corn crop of Tennessee as
double the needs of the next twelve
months, and in the South, as whole,
the corn supply is in excess of the
demand. The wheat supply is nearly up
to the wants of the people Cattle and
hogs are everywhere abundant. The
profits of the year can be expended, for
the most part, in the comforts and luxu-
ries which elevate the general character
of the community, and advance the real
happiness and prosperity of the people.
If to all these material blessings can
be added serious inrOads upon Bourbon
ism, there will be marked progress all
along the line. The breakup of the
political solidity of the South is not
specially desirable from a strictly parti-
san point of view. 1t might derange
political matters at the North. But the
general welfare is to be consulted above
all things, and whatever will promote
the real good of the South should be
favored The time must be near when
that section will enjoy its full share of
the general prosperity of the whole
country.