Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-10-27
MEMPHIS APPEAL
SATURDAY. : 3: OCTOBER 90, 1883.
TIE GROWING FAME OF OUTn.

TIE GROWING FAME OF SOUTH.
The degree of prosperity that exists at
the South, the activity, energy and en-
tcrprise that is manifested by its people,
and the extent and variety of the re-
Fources as developed by research and in
dustry, are attracting attention, not only
in the North in our own country, but
are inducing European capitalists to in
vest in our lands. The South is like
one of those figures in some of the chill
dren,s toys which lie in the box out of
sight until the obstacle that held it down
is touched, her an interior spring comes
into action and the figure starts up, ex-
hibiting its full dimensions. A labor
system that was a bar to advancement,
and a Bourbon spirit that dreaded innO-
walton and opposed change, kept the en-
ergies and of the South con-
cealed. The obstacle was removed, the
spring and earnestness of the people al
lowed full play, and up rises the South,
its population, its soil, and its mines
into full display, and now it is every
where attracting attention, winning good
will, and securing progress and prosper
ity. The whole change is a revelation to
the world, and the South is obtaining a
degree of admiration and regard never
before accorded to it. Its title to these
sentiments has just been finely vindi-
Gated by the New Orleans. Times Demo
cr0f. That paper, observing with what
remarkable speed the South has pushed
Onward its advantages since the last cen
sus was taken. and how much its de-
velopment had been accelerated by the
Influences aroused by the Atlanta Expo
%sition, and by the signal success that has
attended its cotton factories, has with
great industry collected authentic statis-
tics, showing the progress that has been
made since the census-takers made
their investigations. In sixty closely
printed columns it has displayed
facts and figures obtained from the Gov
errors and other officials of twelve South
ern States, depicting its present indus
trial condition. This statement is attract
ingwide attention; the New York Herald,
for instance, dcvotes a column to it, in
which it says: THE material progress of
The South was rapid during the decade
preceding the last census year. \ =
The South has always been one Of the
richest spots of the earth in resources
it was long one of the poorest in develop
ment. \ y 4 These facts are daily
becoming more and more known and APP
preciated, not only in the South, but
throughout the North. = = n The
tide of Southern prosperity which set in
but a few years ago is steadily rising, and
there is every sign that it will continue
to rise. Il X 4 The country has every
reason to rejoice over the progress tho
South is making. Increase of Southern
wealth is increase of national wealth. ,
That sterling commercial paper, the
New York Bulletin, also, referring
10 the Times Democrats statistics
observes: 1T is one of the most
encouraging signs of the times as regards
the development of Southern prosperity
that prominent men on every hand are
waking up to the Importance of making
the public thoroughly acquainted with
their resources. X n = Upon the whole.
the outlook is one on which not only the
South but the whole country may be
congratulated" Strong as these state
ments are, the Times Democrats statistics
justify the strongest of them. They show
that the ratio of progress is not yet
reached, for the rate of advance has been
far more rapid and striking during the
last four years than during the preceding
ten years. The increase of capital is sur
prisingly large. The total assessments in
1879 amounted to 81, 1874 ,227 ,547, whereas
in 1888 it stands at S2,S2I, 924,575-
an increase of 500, 707 OPS in foul
years, or an average of $780,
1861 per annum And, what is
more, the tax rate, which in the
former years stood at five and one-hali
per cent, is reduced now to four and one.
half. During the past four years Arkan.
sas, Florida, Louisiana and Texas have
doubled their railroad mileage. The to.
tai mileage in the whole twelve State,
now stands 26,0I9, against II ,2G0 ten years
ago, aud during the decade it is estimated
that at least $500, 0O0, 900 has been invest.
ed in these enterprises. The following
table shows how amazing has been tho
growth Of the cotton manufacture since
the Atlanta Exposition and the taking Of