Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-01-14
The Mountain Country Of the South.

The Mountain Country of the South.
In the progress of the settlement and
opening OF our country, the southern por-
ton OF it was virtually required to adjust
itself to circumstances it could not control
to conform to situations it did not create
Ito be regarded as supplying force to
enrich other sections If slavery was
system of labor doomed to destruction, the
South was forced to receive it, and then
held responsible for it's existence. 1t was
IN vain that the South elevated the negro
from bis original condition of barbarism
and taught his slowly-acting mind to real
ize that there was civilization for him.
The commerce and trade of the outside
world first sought Southern ports and
presaged the truth that the South could
and would become the seat of wide rec
iprocity of interest with the maritime
powers of the world. Circumstances forced
us to abandon in great measure this
hopeful and pleasing view of future growth
and prosperity, and that in the economy of
the nation we should at the same time CON-
tribute the resources to sustain manufac-
turing in the sterile latitudes, to transfer to
that section of the United States our re-
sources for it's growth and prosperity, and
solve, under the constitution and the laws
of humanity and Christian civilization, the
negro problem. It was in vain that 3
large and growing and what would have
been finally victorious sentiment of eman.
cipation, associated with colonization, was
fostered in the South, which was driven
from its acceptance to realize the sudden
and terrible experience. inflicted upon u.s.
q ut all of this is Of the past, and the South
ids up no murmur of discomfort, and is
Justly shaping her destiny for position in
the affairs of the world which she desired
and would have gladly occupied in the
commencement.
The leading staples of cotton, and, in a
large measure, tobacco, are and must re-
main in our hands, and in their manu-
featured commodities are swelling our
values as they come from factories and the
hands Of skilled workmen. Inthe culture OF
the cereals and the grapes and the inau'
guration of great progress in rearing live.
stock, and in new departures in horticulture
and fruit-growing, we are making rapid
strides, and yet envious feelings and hostile
sentiments exist towards us-feeliDgs and
purposes which would destroy our civiliza.
ton and crush out every laudable hope and
aspiration of a noble people. Having
marvellous natural wealth and opportunity
for greatness in development we have
: thrown wideopen our arms and our doors
and invited capital and enterprise to come
and possess with US these riches.
A comparatively new source of wealth
has been brought out from its sleeping
beds. The mountain country of the South
is developing richness which amazes
alike the scientist and the learned and the
skilled and the practiced investor. The
like Of the realization which has taken
place in the mountain country of the South
during the last twenty years has no parallel,
as no transactions of the kind equal it
in the history of the world. The political
economy of the nation held this develop
ment in allegiance for nearly century, but
it has come forth and is coming forth in
power and magnifcence that says to the
partizans of the order of Sherman and
Hear and ingalls,, 'stand back" for our
new growth is planted on the lines mapped
out by the young Senator Wolcott from
Colorado, who, spurning the example Of
the imbecile Higgins, of Delaware, places
himself with other Senators of bis faith by
the side of the Democratic phalanx in that
body, and demands that fanatical and de-
mon-like persecution shall stop in its da-
bolical designs. He declares that the South
shall have the advantages which God has
bestowed upon her-that she may make the
nation great and secure prosperity for her
own people.
The census record will open many eyes
hitherto sealed against other reports of the
dormant wealth of the mountain country
of the South. Millions and millions of dol.
lars and strong men of inaexible will and
courage are in, and others are coming to
the South. The natural and undeveloped
wealth of inc mountain country presents
the attractive points for development that
suit their purposes better than any other,
and there, Judgments are daily made
Railroad and town-building with wonder
full progress touches the mainsprings of a
new vitality. Mines are opened, furnaces
and rolling-mills and steel-works and
factories of every kind are established, and
the hum of industry quickens the pulse of
the aged and attracts the attention of the
goung to the methods which bring wealth
.;aAcontentment.
The Southern people have lived down
calumny, and branded as false the charge
of Incidence and profigacy. The negro
finds everywhere avenues open and free to
him for profitable work, end by bis con-
duct, as weltas words, expresses wish to
be let alone by outside influences. Our
privileges of education, and he lives under
the same laws that govern white men, and
his labor and services are more appreciated
here than they ever will be anywhere else.
Soon the increasing coast-wise and
foreign commerce, identified in interest and
reciprocity of relation with Southern pro-
duction of every kind, will begin to open
new chapters in our progress and develop
meDt. The contributions from the noun
sain country of Virginia and all the South |
pill swell that wealth to Unreasonable
proportions. The splendid results, as the
'.sterior will pour It's streams of wealth into |
the home treasury, will excite the wonder