The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-10

dred palatiaI residences, and very
few were he fsmles that lived in
luxury. This IS true of tue South
as whole. Go through it and
count the fine residences Of the Old
den time, aud the fiction is Dissolved
A mere handful Of people compare
lively were able to live without la.
Dor, but for the great mass of white
people (not 10 speak of the negroes
the poverty was most abject and
what we call Decessiries were re-
garded as luxurious comforts. Let
US rid ourselves of the notion that
the ante-bellum d ys were better for
the average man than these. Up
portunities were few, life WAS mar
rowed, and caste pervaded too
largely to give to every man the
even chance that the sun OF this
better and broader day has caused
shine in the pathway OF every hon
est and Industrious son OF the Sooth.
Farmers then, except large slave
owners who were few in comparison
to the whole population, lived in
houses that were wantiog in con
yeniances or comforts, and life was
ter fold harder and more hopeless.
Agriculture was relatively more
prosperous, bat it was the one occu
patton Of the people, and men and
women were compelled to make their
own clothing and bread and meat st
home. They lived most frugally;
despite the roseate colors OF the
novelist and the tinted views of the
old men who love to depict the glo-
ries and delights Of the Old South.
''All times are good when old" says
Burns. Glory. honor and happi-
ness there were, and | thank God
for the true men and women vino
honored our Southland by their lofty
characters and patriotism. Bat in
.hs presence and everywhere | pros
tect against the pessimism which
will admit naught of the improves
ments and blessings which have come
to US to-day. refuse to be duped
by the novelist's description of the
South as q Paradise before the var.
The Southern people, except a
very few, have ever toilet and earn
ed their bread In the sweat Of their
face. The exception of the Southern
gentleman Of leisure has been made
the rule in portraying Southerners,
and the time has come when honor
must he paid likewise to the great
body of Southern men who have
never known what luxury and leis-
ure were, but whose lives have ever
illustrated phase of Souther his
tory which is not dimmed 10 compar-
ison with the portrayal Of the ele-
gance and nobility of their more
fortunate neighbors.
| assert here that there never was
a time. except in days of extraordi
nary prlces, as in the California gold
period, or in 1866 GIGS, or when
there were such openings and ad
vantages afforded our youth, nor
when labor found surer reward,
nor when men could save as much if
as economical as their fathers.
Do you all think tins optimism3
Then l thank God that [ can see the
progress of the age which He blesses
and in which He has permitted me to
live.
do not close my eyes to the evils
that confront US or the burdens which
plutocracy imposes. Heavy as are
these burdens, and earnestly ss ]
stand against them like Paul: II
thank God ard take courage" when
see men everywhere coming into
greater enlightment and broader
opportunity, and enjoying more OF
the com forts OF civiliz ltion.
Condition that surrounded the
South in slavery did not tend to
build cities and factorie,. 1t was
left for manufacturers and merchants
uuder different conditions to under>
take this work.
speak of thst class of spectators
who build cities as trade and 60
from state to state laying out
cities upon old fields aad selling
corner lots at fabulous prices. They
have done much to inj:re the s Juth
and we ought to disown them and
give them 10 Conntenance. | con
gratulate you that the wonderful
progress of your city has not been
hiudered by these pests and vampires
who dupe the unsuspecting and
-bO rosnopdoS