West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-02-02
IN THE SOUTHLAND.
A PrestOnian Down Among the Tar
HeelS-Writes AbOut the Race
Question and Farm Lands.


birthplace. The handwriting is plain TO
me, for the writer and mapped out this
yarn together in prInt.shop In Kingwood
last winter IL recolloct correctly. but he
has taken the palm" In his lurid. vivid
description Of the monster. almost shud.
dered when Tread Il, and you know 1t takes
a pretty strong story to give the the
shakes '-for l used to be in the yarn
business myself at home
] promised you another letter from The
Old North State. and take this opportu-
nifty OF giving my old Preston county friends
description, in a conversational way. OF
some OF the attractions OF Eastern North
Carolina. glance at the map will con.
vince you OF the immensity Of North caro-.
lima. We are in the coast region. but the
western part OF the State Is mountainous.
much like West Virginia. II you were to
turn the State around, on a pivot the ex.
IRENE western portion would reach to
Canada
We have had, so far. what is considered
severe winter here but only once has
there been snow-then but a mere covering
OF the ground. which soon disappeared. Ii
is delightful and bracing out OF doors. and
small wood fires in stoves keep us snug
within doors We have no coal here. and
wood is the usual fuel, having large quan.
titles Of that. Hard coal has the preference
over soft, and is the stap!e-all coming
from either the soft coal region I'm the Po.
cahontas field, or the hard coal region of
Pennsylvania.
You reprinted an item signed by me in
The New York American, approving Of an
editorial in that paper. on Democratic
principles. One learns down here that
Democracy is eminenuy respectable. aud
for the Simon Pure article. come to North
Carolina. This State had the honor OF
polling greater increased Democratic
vote last election than any other State in
the Union.
Republicanism is confined to the Federal
Office holders few scattering whites. left.
overs and descendants from the Carpet
Dagger" period and the negroes. We do
not give the latter much Of a show, for they
must first have paid their taxes. and then
must pass an educational test and inter.
pref any clause In the State Constitution
which practically bars them from voting.
Before this amendment was passed few
years ago, the negroes controlled every.
thing. They dotted the Legislative Halls
like black sheep they held Offices in all
the counties; and to 4 West Virginian who
has never been South this state OF affairs
cannot be appreciated at long range. They
became obnoxious, and as they exist in
hordes, you can readily see that not even
Northern white man would, or could
stomach such a state OF affairs lVALEl
negro domination. Welcome white SUI
premacy
few more words upon this question
Having lived in States where negroes are
largely in the minority, and where they
vote 60 TO school with the whites, and can
intermarry with whites, am in position
to realize how utterly impossible such
state of affairs would be here, where the
negroes exist in countless thousands. and
are multiplying more rapidly than the
whites
The Southern negro will only work few
days at time. He will not return TO work
as long as he has a penny OF last wages
lett He will not on account OF his shift
less nature, do the work OF the South. The
manufacturers cannot depend upon him
The farms are not cultivated - their full
est extent because, Notwithstanding the
immense numbers flaborers-black-la
is scarce. This state of affairs is retarding
the development OF the South. and the i'm.
migration Of thrifty. industrious white set
tiers IS now a movement OF considerable
consequence
The Northern philosopher and humani-
tarian may write all he pleases he may pity
the negro. and condemn the Southern pee.
pie; but he knows nothing Of the situation.
and should come here TO live a year, be-
fore putting his pen to paper. in discussing
this serious Problem-the race question.
President Roosevelt ought to spend
year down South studying the conditions
and facts at first hand before he takes ND
the question TO adjust IT, and before he
makes obnoxious appointments OF colored
men to high Offices in the South
Following this line Of thought. permit me
TO say that this region is the Golden Gar.
den OF the South. Opportunity FOR wealth
in agriculture is greater here than any
place in the United States say this. ad.
visedly knowing the facts from careful
study have made Industrial develop.
ment special study and work since com.
ing here, IN the interests Of a railroad com.
pany. and know whereof speak.
The climate is mild the soil rich beyond
any expression aud farm lands can be pur.
chased al very reasonable figures No
stones. and hills plenty Of irrigation. Ma
ture is kindly 20 this Albemarle region
We are close 90 the Northern markets by
water and rail transportation. and we have
no tornadoes no irosts 20 nip back spring
vegetation. none Of the aetriments that
some localities have
Two and three crops can be raised on
the land here. The farmer cannot lose
for II one should fail De has others 10 fan
back upon. First comes the early peas a
crop which IS easily cultivated and gives
good returns. Lettuce and other small
truck in Che early season brings fancy
prices DO che North and is sold Tor spot
cash TO local commission dealers
Then comes The early potato crop. which
10 marketed BOZ June The yield is very
heavy and the profit about roo per cent.
The FIRST potatoes uushI bring from e. go 20
& CO per barrel This crop brings 10 good
money early in che season. Later fte usual
corn and cotton crops are tended and Of
course yield we'll
This is not q r0sy-co'ored picture fHaffe
rot 10 be found iu reality but ihe r..f facts.
There are great opportunities Tor money
making ior settlers and farmers here. TIE
Sol.herncrs are very bospiaJ'e ts sirau.
gers and bid them welcome. Large plan.
taHons % lis ante .beIIum days are being
cat 49, into small farms and these are 90
be secured as stated al low fgurss
The only special treatment Of .hc Soil
here .s ditcH.rg. THE region U.s. ior there
being great areas RI water. and shallow