The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-16
The South In 1860.

ular to call it. Even among people
we'll informed, there is an impression
that the South before the war was made
up of an idoleut, happy-go-lccky popu-
latiop who took things easy. had little
idea Of business, aud were supported by
the proceeds of the labor Of the negro
slaves. "among the cotton aud the
cane" The actual extent of the
possessions of the South ; the number
Of diversified industries aud crops; the
value of farming implements and live
stock; and the general thrift aud pros
perity Of this section, as compared with
the rest Of the country as shown by
official statistics, are a perfect revela-
ton to the masses of the people. 10
the second of a series of articles on
..The South Before the War" by Mr.
Richard h. Edmurds, published in
the Southern States, of Baltimore.
the following extraordinary presentation
is made:
..The total population of the United
States in 1860 was $1,000, 900 Of
which the South had $500, 600 whites
aud 400, 600 negroes or an aggegIate
of 10. 900, 900, just a little more than
oue-third of the total. With only ooe-
third Of the aggregate population aud
less than one-fourth Of the white popu-
lation the South raised more than one
half of the total agricultural products of
the country.
e.The South not only produced all
the cotton, rice and sugar raised 10 the
United States-these we're all practi.
cally surplus cash crops-but also
raised $50 900, 900 bushels Of corn or
A per cent. of the total crop Of the
country in 1860; 351, 10000 pounds
Of tobacco against 800, 600 pounds
in the rest of the country $500, 900
bushels of sweet potatoes ont of a total
cropof Al, 600. 900 bushels; ithad over 40
per cent. Of the total value of live stock
of the country. or $467. 498. 900 out of
81, 100, 600, 900; it made 10000. 900
gallons of molasses against %, 900 gal
Ions made by other sections; it
produced beesgax aud honey to the
extent Of Is, 500. 600 pounds, or one
half of all made in the country, the
value Of the animals slaughtered was
SS4. 400, 900 against $12S. 600. 900
in all other sections combined,
aud out of a total value of what we're
classed as homemade manufactures"
of $24,300. 600 the South had $16,-
SOC. 900. One of the most interesting
features Of this exhibit is the produc-
ton of beans and peas. Some months
ago Mr.. Edward Atkinson wrote a
magazine article to show that the South
needed beans," claiming that its lack
Of knowledge of beans was one Of the
serious hindrances to its agricultural
adyancemens. A Mississippi editor, S.
A. Jones, of Aberdeen, [ believe it
was. reminded Mr.. Atkinson that he
had failed to study Southern agricultu-
raj history-that Boston's intellectual
ty might be due to eating beans, but
that ' e before the war, Mississippi
alone raised more beans than all Of New
England. and he might have added, Of
the Middle States included. In 1860
the whole country raised $4,000, 600
bushels of beans and peas, and Of this
quantity, IL, 0 bushels were
produced south Of Mason and Dixon's
line. The cash value of farms in the
whole country in 1860 was
So, 63S. O00, 900. and though the
South had only one-fourth Of
the white population the value Of its
farms was 50, 800, 600. 900, more than
one-third Of the whole. and at increase
of $1,000, 600, 600 over 1850. With
only 33 per cent. Of the counsry's
population, including slaves, it had
500, 600, 900 invested in agriculture.
implements out of a total of $246,.
600, 900 or nearly 40 per cent. The
Increase in the value of it's agriculture
implements from 1850 to 1860 wa:
nearly $4,000, 900 or about 60 pei
cent.
We regard the publication of these
statistics especially oppor.une at thi:
time, in view of the coming of the i'm
migration convention to this city in q
few weeks. 1t would be we'll for tht
Young Mems Business League TO have
slips printed for circulation among the
members of the convention. embracing
the facts quoted above.
1t is a notable fact that there is more
interest nov in matters pertaining tt
the South, than for many years before
and it is very encouraging. aud crafty
iug to see the eyes Of the nation turned
towards the Southern States. 1t means
that the times are ripe for concerted eff
fort to turn the tide Of immigration this
way. and that a colonization society
properly organized and conducted viii
reap a rich harvest of success.