Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-17
The Recovery and Progress Of the
SOufh

South.
Since the first of January there have
been. according to authentic statistics,
three thousand five hundred miles of
railroad constructed IN this country, and
the detailed statistics in regard to their
development are instructive reading.
The thirteen Southern States built one
thousand four hundred and two miles of
track, over one third of the total amount,
and this, too, while they had less than
one.third Of the population and less than
one sixth Of the territory Of the country.
Here ia a nutshell is an irresistible re
futstion Of the abuse heaped upon this
section By the Radical politicians and
hide bound organs. Never since the
dawn OF civilization has such spectacle
been presented as is afforded by the
magical recuperation of the South from
the waste and ruin inflicted upon her by
the four years of strife during which she
battled for what she deemed desrer than
prosperity.
The Southern States to-day afford the
finest field for capital and enterprise to
be found anywhere. Their fertile soil,
varied climate, exhaustless resources,
and wonderful capacities for rewsrding
the various forms Of labor are being
brought 10 the notice of the world at
large, and ere long the tide Of home
seekers must turn hither, and our waste
places will bloom, while our towns will
swell TO metropolitan proportions. This
is an old dream Of the patriotic men of
the South, and it seems now about to be
fulfilled
The chief obstacle with which the
south has had to contend in her struggle
for recuperation is not her poverty,
but the deliberate or ignorant misrepre-
sensation Of her people by the Republi-
csu press. The shrewd business men of
the country pay no heed to these Sian
ders. and are yearly investing more and
none Of their means in Southern enter
nrises. But the masses Of the Northern
neople. who swell the ranks of the Re
publican party, despite their great oppor-
,unities for acquiring intelligence, ac-
cent without question the most prepOs-
ferrous assertions Of their party organs.
and regard the Southern people as
drones or dcspcrsdoes. Foreigners, as
a rule. know little Of this country, and
Whst they learn Of the South is drawn
's-rclv from Northern sources. This
warps their Judgment, and gives impress
sions Of our people the reverse of what
would be made upon them if the North
ern organs would quit their falsehoods
and endeavor totell the truth.
The State OF Georgia, for instance, is
I today Gae Of the best governed in the
Union. and others Of her Southern sisters
are not far behind her. Wherever dis
4 or,lor reigns in the South it can be traced
F 10 the turbulence Of the allies of Radi-
4 cslisn. who SIRE stirred up by reckless
uorro politicians OF scheming whites,
. who make profit ont Of the ignorance
of their dupcs Where the intelligent
4 masses OF our people have control, life
i s,d property are as safe, on the average,
as in the North, aud when the negro
{ shall have been left 10 himself
saa shall cease 10 be a disturb
. inc element in our social system.
f The So called Southern problem
4 vii be settled. The R0gro who is not
/ rosded 10 iusolence by the assurance:
given him that the Federal Government
! stands a. bis back is trsctable and indus
+ trious sud would iH time exhibit thrift
4 The best service Radieslism can now d
/ aim. If II meSas to do well by him at all
Is 10 leave him to himself. There is NJ
natural hostility between the Southern
/ waites AID blacks. While the negroes
/ eau never ara Sleallate with the whites
I they can assimilate with them. for the TIVE
I races in the south have s mutual interes
I in tie march Of the prosperity of thei
I common section. The negro has playeC
! 10 rasaa part in the work Of building "
I The south. ana whes taught the gospe
of labor instead Of that OF sc
I sistsnce asd distruSt Of his employer, hi
I VIII play yS; grandeg part in working
/ out the splendid future that awaits hi
section. WAY cannot the Radical or
Z cans sud statesmen. and me NOrtherI
I people. therefore, face facts and aban-
Y den thcoriCss The negro is free. He i
nan. and recognized as such. but h
/ can never be MASTER. His wrongs ar
pratod Of. but the very right which it i
/ insisted he should possess is denied hin
/ hv those who demand it for him. lie
I them leave him free to vote as his share
/ 81 intelligence oounsels, snd even be (
I Democrat it he viii. and then he viii
: really he a man. and the Federal Gov
/ cumsut will cessc 10 trouble itself sbOu
him
This Is the one disturbing element !.
/ the South. Remove il in the only wa!
/ possible, and the race question will b,
/ forever settled But whether it is or not
/ the South looks not back but forward
/ Despite the prosecutions and misrepre
/ sentstious Of Radicalism and the wrong
+ Inflicted apca her by the Federal Gov
/ crumcnt. she has barred her sorrow
aud Won prosperity. Her showing 20
4 the present year in every walk of in
dasiry vii challenge comparison viii
thsi % any other section in the universe
and is but the io5eshsdOwing of wha
I awaIts her.
| The Republicans are evidently pro
/ cee1Ing 10 secure a good sized campaign