Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1890-01-11
PRESENT FINANCIAL GENERAL
CONDITION OF THE SOUTH
JIM DICKINSON, of NASHVILLE,
Delivered Before the Bankers ASSocia-
ton Of Chicago, at the annual
B@aquetat K6aSleg's Dec. IAN,

Of the financial and general condition
of the South. ~-.. r~,.. 81.
This is the age Of progress, and
every thing is estimated by COM
parison. If were merely to mar
shall before YOU the statistics of what
we possess, the array would hardly
challenge your attention. In you
who, in a land undevasted by war,
under the most favorable auspices,
have amassed in a measure that
far outstrips the tabled "wealth of
OrmuS and of Ind" the bare recital
of our limited means would not
excite an emotion. And yet these
same facts and figures, cOntrasted
with those of other decades, become
eloquent opponents of the most
marvellous recuperatiVe power ever
illustrated in the history of a people.
That you may the better compre-
bend and appreciate the present, bear
with me while, without bitterness or
repining, trace in rapid outlines Il
retrospect of the past.
Thirty years ago there lived in the
southern part of this country, em>
bracing 733, IA square miles, a people
numbering 5,672,272. Native Ameri-
cans with less than one per cent. of
foreign BIRTH, descended from rev.
dictionary ancestry, with every
fibre of their being wrought in the
mold of republican institutions,
schOoled in the principles of civil
liberty and self>government, proud
of the history of their fathers, believ-
ing that to be an American was
greater than to be king, they loved
their country with patriotic tervor
not surpassed in the purest days OF
Rome, and were ready to illustrate
ny their deeds, their cherished senti-
mpnt: at is both sweet and honor
able to die for ones country" With
the leisure and opportunities afforded
by wealth, they cultivated literature,
not as breadwinners, but for the
pure pleasure and adornments it be
slowed. DeSpiSing the trade of the
politician; they studied the science
of government and moved along the
higher plane craftsmanship. They
did not grow rich in offices of small
salaries and large opportunities, but
illustrated in their public services
the declaration Of Mr., Jefferson, thai
he had resolved not to better his
private fortune while in Office
Prodigai in their generosity, with I
sense Of personal honor that preferred
death to an impeachment Of charac
tel, holding it Il sacred duty.
''ro right such wrong where it is given,
Though in the very court of heaven"
bred to the courtly manners anC
stately bearing of older times, deeply
imbued with religious reverence
born with the instinct of command
trained in all manly accomplish
ments, with courage as keen but a
polished as a sword, bOundless in thei
hospitality, and Offering to women
devotion and courtesy not eXcelIet
by the paadins of old, they were
race Of men who, in the splendOr G
their characteristics, were equal t
the best that any time has produced
From 1850 to 1860 the Souther
States more than doubled thei
wealth, far outstripping the NeN
England and Middle States in tn
ratio of increase. In 1913 the Ia
valuation of Tennessee was Sl29, $40
O43; in 1859 it was 1877 ,20S,64l, thu
being tripled in eleven years. l
1860 Louisiana had a wealth of $S5
and South Carolina of $40 per capits
which exceeded that of any othe
State in the Union except Connect
cut; and every Southern State had &
that time more property per capt.
than either New York or Pennsy
Vania.
1t was a prosperous, happy land,
joyous people.
After the storm of a four year
war had swept over it, who can pit
ture the desolation of that land VIII
can portray the starved and shattere
remnant Of her people? | saw it al
but it comes back to me confused
like the morning recollection of
frightful dream. Startling and di
treSsing events came in such rapi
succession that they overlapped eaC
other, and the shock of one yield6
them PROSTATE to the shock
another. The angel of death ha
swept over the land and visited ever
household. Every church assembl