Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-17
reras and Genrpia

peka ana santa re ltdllIOdus IcbuAhS
81. Louis last week from four months
sojourn in the South. Mr.. Strong ana
party visited Galveston on ms toui
through the country. A reporter OF the
6,lol.e- Dsaocrat interviewed the gentle
man on his return TO st. Louis, anu
AMONG other matters, obtained something
IF the geutleman's impressions regarding
the south in general and Texas IN par
ticular. Il was in all the southern
States.v said Mr.. Strong to the Gtobe-
Democrat reporter, land with the eXcep-
ton OF Texas. they all seemed struck
with a permanent blight. Atlanta IS
GOOD town. and Chattanooga, Tenn,
and Charlotte. y. c., look thrifty,
but that is about all. Charleston
;. c.. is particularly fOrlorn and dllapi-
dated. as If fate had singled it out for spe-
cial scorn on account Of its attitude dur
ing the war. The plantations in the cot
ton-growing regions all look neglected,
weed-grown and desolate. In journey
of a hundred miles you will not see sim
gle neat and pleasing farmhouse. Wher-
ever you see signs Of life and business
YOU find that Northern men are running
things. The SOutherner, as a rule, don't
seem to "catch on as the boy says, but
stands around in a sort Of dazed fashion,
waiting for something to turn up. In
Texas. however, it is very different. Tex
as is worth more than the rest OF the
South"
Commenting on these remarks, our val
ued contemporary, the Galveston AelrS,
observes: 'sThe last sentence of the above
contains a world of meaning from prac-
teal observer Of no ordinary character
1t is presumable that President Strong
has just visited the South for the first
time. His journey through the country
was partly one OF observation, the I'M
preston created being somewhat unfa-
yorable, except in the case of Texas.
Texas is worth more than the rest OF the
South saws President Strong. In all
quarters this opinion begins now to pre-
vail. The State is undergoing a wonder
full development, and yet it is only begin
ming. The value of Texas exports this
wear will 90 in excess of S12O.O0O. 600, a
sum that looks almost fabulous. In ten
wears the population of Texas will out
number that of any State in the Union.
excepting perhaps two or three, and ma
terially she win be the peer of all of them.
She lacks but a great seaport to cap the
headstOne of her grandeur, and this IL Is
also possible for her 10 have right here at
Galveston. Something Of what the State
Is destined eventually TO become is just
beginning TO be realized"
We readily and gladly cOncede all that
our contemporary claims for the future OF
Texas. Why should she not have grown
to her present proportions, and what is to
hinder her future progress: Compare
tIvely untouched by the hand Of the de-
strover which wrought such havoc in the
older sections Of the South. endowed by
nature with the great essentials for
growth from her geographical position
alone. she is destined to take a queenly
rank among her sisters. We envy her
none Of her bright auspices. and we think
that our contemporary, perhaps, under
estimates the magnitude Of the figure that
the great commonwealth is likely 10 pre-
sent in the near future.
President Strong, however, would APP
pear TO have used his eyes to little adj
vantage or to have taken a limited view
Of the older sections Of the South. In
stead OF belittling the efforts Of the people
Of this section he should wonder that they
exhibit the grit and pluck they mani
fest. South Carolina and her me-
tropolis, which appear to have eX-
cited his special contempt, have relatively
exhibited quite as much energy as
Texas. and when the prejudice with which
President Strong appears to be imbued
shall have died away, viii, doubtless,
make a showing that viii command the
respect Of less superficial observers than
this railway magnate.
Chattanooga and Charlotte are ''thrifty,' >
but there is a great deal more in Georgia
worthy Of the notice Of President Strong
than the liyeliness Of Atlanta. The quiet
CITY Of Augusta, whose merits are not
trumpefed in and out Of season, would
have repaid the observation Of President
Strong quite as well as its ''liye'' neigh
Dor. Savannah, with her proud CONNER
have commanded the respect OF
President Strong for steady and
solid growth. The other
cities and towns Of Georgia exhibit quite
as much thrift and progress as do those OF
Texas. Georgia offers most Of the induce
memts that Texas presents to those in
search Of homes, and can promise some
that the latter cannot afford. Texas has
grown mainly by accretiOn from
other States and other lands, while Geor-
gia's development has been due almost
entirely to native energy, enterprise and
thrift. Her showing for the past year AT
tests her right to proudly wear the title
Of the Empire state ofthe SOUTH" which
she won years ago and has steadily vindi-
Gated. The tide Of immigration that has
so long rolled over the prairies Of the West
has been. in a measure, detected Of late tC
the great Southwest, but the Southeast
offers attractions that viii in time com
mand the attention they@eserye. The fu'
ture Of Texas is assured, and 50, too, i:
that Of Georgia.