The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-10-31
THE NEW NORTH.
Changed Condition in the Attitude of
the People of the North Toward the
South.
Charlotte Observer.

Charlotte Observer.
Time was, and not SO very long
ago, that a Southerner whose travels
carried him far into the North, in
stinctively felt that be was out OF his
element. Being neither in foreign
country nor among strange people,
there was yet some indefinable sense
of constraint manifesting itself-a
feeling that his presence was not al
together agreeable and that perhaps
be was even looked upon as an in
truder. Few people were disposed to
engage him in conversation beyond
the requirements of ordinary business
courtesy, and still fewer were dis
posed to make inquiries of him direct
ed with an honest intent to secure in
formation of the section Of the coun-
try which he represented. The only
interest attracted by his presence
was one of curiosity. He was rebel
from a rebel country; he was not well
coined, but he was tolerated. This
feeling was not so pronounced in the
cities, especially in New York, which,
outside its foreign population, is half
Southern; but it predominated in the
rural North; where for long time
but one idea Of the South and tho
Southerner prevailed. How very
different is the feeling in that section
now can be realized only by personal
contact with its people. There has
been a complete change Of sentiment
and an almost thorough understand
ing of the South prevails. 1t is a
new North, the direct product Of SEN
timent and conditions born OF the
new South, now old.
In this new North, the man from
the South is as welcome as long lost
brother He is searched for on the
railroad trains, in the hotels and on
the streets; he is interviewed and his
opinions are sought and considered.
He cannot tell too much about his
people and his country. His hearers
take in what he relates of the South
as they would a chapter from some
now and entertaining book. The
questions put to him are Of no idle
| character. They are practical and
designed to bring out information
about the climate, soil and industries
Of the South, and the opportunities
which are offered in agriculture and
and manufactures. The productive
ness Of the soil, the character and ex-
tent OF the water powers, the cultiva-
| ton and manufacture of cotton, the
cost of living, the price of land and
the rates of wages, are the subjects
more generally and closely inquired
into. The eagerness displayed for
people is one of the distinct impres.
sions left upon the mind of the visitor
returned from the new North.
One is struck, too, with the inter.
est manifested in the politics of the
South, and especially the attitude Of
this section toward President RooSe
welt. An invariable question of the
interviewer is: What do your peo'
pie think of Roosevelt" and the
assurance that they are kindly dis
posed toward him is received with
undisguised satisfaction, for the con
fdence Of the North in the new Presi.
dent is a surprising revelation
Throughout that section the opinion
is general that he will make capital
President. The Northern people i'm.
pose great confidence in him and any
evidence of the same inclination on
the part of the South is q pleasure to
them.