Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-07-25
THE BLACK BELT OF VIRGINIA.

rcorrespondcnce of the Alexandria Gazette.
Southside Virginia includes what is fa-
miliarly known in the political circles as
the "Black Belt" The portion of which
the writer desires chiefly to speak is in
cluded within the Fourth Congressional
district.
Before proceeding to discuss any OF the
Deculiarities of the inhabitants of this dis
trict. the writer wishes to state that the
statements made by our democratic brethren
of Northern Virginia in regard to the COM
plete rule of Malone in this section are en-.
tirely incorrect, and are excusable onl " on
the ground of ofignorance.
Many of them speak of it as that section
of this State where negro rule is predomi-
nant, repubicanism and Mahoneism unan-
imous, democracy, when it exists, is afraid
TO be proclaimed; as the birthplace and
home Of Malone, and where he is univer-
sally admired and publicly acknowledged
as the saviour of the people. Such state
ments reflect discredit upon the fine families
of white people in this district, whose rep
utation for honor, charity, virtue and IN
tegrity have never been doubted. There
exists in no portion of Virginia families
more honored and respected than in this
very same Black Belt. True, little style is
manifested here, little display shown, and,
indeed, none un less backed by wealth.
The inhabitants of this district, especially
the slave owners, lost more by the late war
than did the wealthy people of other parts
OF Virginia. Our wealth was invested in
negroes, this being more of farming dis
trict, and the proper cultivation of tobacco,
our chief staple, requiring twice the amount
of labor as other staples which were raised
in other portions of the State hence our
farmers were large slave holders and lost
all but their land when the negro went up.
A review of this SO ction speaks in e!o-
auent terms of the gra ndeur-which here eX-
listed before the war. It is truly a country
of grand poverty. But this country is
rapidly springing up, and in a few years it
will be the great farming section OF Virginia.
Yellow tobacco is bringing it out. Thous-
ands of pounds are being made on trial this
yearand in every case the trial givessatisfac
ton. Our land is adapted to its growth,
and as soon as the farmers see this, our
country will blossom like rose. We pay
hands $50 per annum and one hand can
make on an average 1900 lbs of tobacco
which, if yellow, will bring an average Of
$40 per hundred lbs., making $500 on each
hand simply from tobacco. This is claimed
to be true by those who have tried it.
The negroes are not asI insolent as they
were last summer Defeat covers them.
Numbers of them voted with the white peo
pie last spring in the local issues. There is
no special joy amongst them on account of
Wise'4 nomination; they would vote for
monkey if he were TO run on the republican
ticket. Half of them don't know who they
vote for.
All the white people, excepting about six
who want office in each county, are demo-
Gratis and as good democrats as exist i'll the
State There is not in the county of Lu,
| nenburg single barroom, and very few in
Mecklenburg. Morality is at high ebb
there.
The citizens of Petersburg are violent in
their denunciations of the authorities at
Washington for not removing Gen. Stith
Boiling, their city postmaster. He is very
| obnoxious, it is claimed, to the citizens who
are democrats.
Crops are looking badly. Rain is need
ed Finest crop of oats made since the war.
| About half crop of wheat.
| SOUTHsIDE.