Newspaper Page Text
EDITED AJD PUBLISHED WEEKLY, IT
w n. B . II A It It ISO .X .
CITY PR INTER.
[for the southern uiitvm ]
THE DVI.\G BOV.
Thpy say ihe earth is gay, mother,
That life below is fair :
That riehes, honor, happiness.
And all the good dwell here.
They tell me yet that I shall live,
But oh ! they know not why
That saying wounds my restless sou!—
I only wish to die !
They say that I am young, mother.
Just ent'ring into life :
They little know how vain it seems.
How full of woe and strife.
They say the grave is full of gloom
For such a youth as I,
They have forgotten that ’tis not
The old alone that die !
They say my place will vacant be,
Unoccupied my stand ;
But oh ! I quit an earthly school
• To join a Heavenly band !
They say my playmates will be gtieved,
For many days will cry ;
But tell them weep not—recollect
They, too, must surely die ! •
They gay my Canary will chirp, •
For many a long day,
And sing its master's funeral dirge
When I atu far away :
But on another's hand ’twill perch—
Another's voice descry—
'Twill soon forget me ; and ere long
It, too, will have to die !
They say that Puss will move about,
Nor think of mirth or play ;
While Fido, stretched upon the hearth,
Will mourn a plaintive lay.
They all will cease before ’tis long,
For me no more they’ll sigh,
When I have lain beneath the ground—
When I have learned to die !
They say my squirrel will attempt
To frisk about no more,
But in his cage will sit and mourn
As none have mourned before.
But soon the days, and weeks, and months
On eagle's wings will fly,
And all my pets and playmates now
Will thou be called to die !
And some will sleep for aye, mother,
They only live for men :
But we have souls—beyond the grave
May meet and live again !
And though beneath the dismal tomb
This mould'ring form may lie,
My soul will go nbove, where then
It never more can die !
I'm growing weak, moro weak, mother,
Thy face I cannot see :
But oh ! my vision scans a world,
A paradise for me !
My soul is going up, mother,
'Tis going up on high,
I feel it leaving this poor frame,
I feel I'm going to die !
An angel beckons me, mothi r,
He beckons me away ;
And Jesus stands to greet me there—
Why should I longer stay ?
Farewell toearth! farewell, mother,
I'm going to tho sky !
Meet/ne above, mother, above !
I'll greet you when you die !
Farewell! a last farewell, mother!
I scarcely hear my voice :
But Heavenly choirs ring in my ears
And Heavenly throngs rojnioe !
Farewell, mother ! oh, fare-thce-well !
But do not weep or sigh,
We’ll meetagnin in Heaven ! farewell!
How sweet it is to die !
VV P. H.
MISSISSIPPI AND PACIFIC RAIL ROAD.
Circular to the People of tbe United States.
Sir —Within a short period, the Gov
ernment of the United Slates has become
possessed of a vast Territory on the Pacific
coast, nearly equal iu extent to the origin
al Thirteen States, and capable of sustain
ing a population of thirty millions of peo
ple.
The mildness of the climate, the fertility
of the soil, the agricultural and commercial
advantages of the Oregon and California
territories, with their capacious harbors ;
and above all, the recent discoveries of ex
tensive gold mines and other inexhaustible
beds of mineral wealth, are opening up a
wide field for adventure, and drawing
thither the enterprising citizens, not only
from ours, but from all countries. To
reach that distant country, a lengthy, haz
ardous and turbulent sea voyage has to be
encountered, or else a dangerous, pathless
land route has to be pursued ; which, if
not remedied, must greatly retard the fu
ture settlement and progress of those Ter
ritoiies.
The people of the United States, with a
lively sense of the valueofour possessions,
are intently and anxiously considering the
prnprie'y of constructing anew, speedy,
safe and economical channel of intercom
munication with our Pacific border, which
shall rid the future settlement of the coun
try of the delays, costs and impediments
which now retard emigration. Os all me
thods proposed, a Railroad to be construct
ed, central from the Valley of the Missis
sippi to the bay of San Francisco or Mon-
terey, is most likely to meet with the de
liberate sanction of the American people.
The project of constructing a Railroad
from the Mississippi rivet to the bay of
San Francisco or Monterey, a distance of
fifteen or seventeen hundred titles, the
greater part of the way a wilderness, sur
rounded by savage hordes of Ind-ans, at a
cost ofnot far short of one hundred millions
of dollars, on a casual view of the question
looks exceedingly visionary—if not lo say,
impracticable. Not so, however, to those
who take a calm, statesmanlike and com
prehensive view of the subject in all its
bearings—inward and outward.
At an enormous cost, not far short of
twen'y millions of dollars, by virtue of the
Ashburton and Gaudaloupe treaties, we
have become owners of a territory in ex
tent, greater than France and Great Bri
tain united ; embracing a variety of soil,
climate and production. Much the great
er part of the country is as yet a wilder
ness. Its natural advantages, notwith
standing the serious impediments which
way-lay tne emigrant, are drawing to it a
population. When populated, the advan
tages and benefits flowing therefrom, will
be as great, if not greater, to Chili, Peru,
the Sand wich islands, Mexico, the South
American States and the commercial na
tions of Europe, than ourselves; because
nearer and more accessible to them, and
separated from us, if not alienated, by
stubborn barriers.
Let the proposed road be built, and the
distance which separates and alienates us
will vanish. An enterprising, virtuous
and patriotic population will rush onward.
Our mil.ions of waste acres will be pur
chased and peopled; the manifold re
sources of ihe country developed ; our ex
ports and imports incalculably augmented;
our fisheries on the Pacific aided and
enlarged ; our laws and institutions ex
tended ; the naval and military energies
and capacities of the country strengthened
and inc cased ; the bonds of fraternity,
interest and union cemented, and the na
tion aggrandized. Whilst all this is going
on and increasing year after year, at an
incalculable rate, for ages to come, each
and every citizen of the Republic, in eve
ry department of occupation and business,
will be benefitted. The mi lions expend
ed in constructing the toad, in a g:eat de
gree will be paid to our own citizens. The
mechanic, in the long line of cities which
will be reared, will find anew theatre for
his exertions. The mercantile and manu
facturing population of the North and East
the grain producing States of the West,
the cotton planting and sugar growing
Stales of the South, will find anew, steady,
profitable and increasing market for their
surplus wares and productions. The ben
efits flowing to the whole country, and
which have been but barely glanced at,
would juslify the construction of the road,
were it to cost five fold more than it will.
When it is considered that a railroad to
the Pacific must inevitably open up anew
thoroughfare to the people of the United
States, to Europe, to all nations, for their
trade and intercourse with the West coast
ofthis continent,with theSandu ich islands
with the East Indies, with China, with
Japan, with six hundred millions of people:
better,cheaper, safer and more expeditious
than any heretofore discovered : the do
mestic view which has been taken of this
subject sinks into insignificance, and the
human mind becomes bewildered in con
templating the magnitude and grandeur of
the enterprise. Ihe trade with Asia with
two-thirds of the human race, which, it is
said, has enriched all countries that have
monopolized it ; which has been struggled
for by maratime nations for centuries, over
land and sea—over vast deserts for many
thousands of miles—now beckons to us
and proposes.
In the race we are running with the
commercial nations of Europe, the people
of the United States are compelled lo take
the outside track. Great Britain may be
said to have the inside, and to th ; s may be
traced, in some degree, her maratime pre
ponderance. We are indebted to an able
report, made by the Hon. Thomas Butler
King, Chairman of the Committee on Na
val Affairs to the Thirtieth Congress, for a
very satisfactory table of distances :
From Liverpool to Cal«uta,
via Cape of Good Hope.it is 16,000 miles
From New York to Cal
cutta, via Good Hope, it is 17,500 “
From Liverpool to Canton
via Cape Horn, : : 20,000 “
From Ne w York to Canton
via Cape Horn, : : 21,500 “
From Liverpool to Valpa
raiso, via Cape Horn, : 11,400 “
From New York to Valpa
raiso, via Cape Horn, : 12,900 “
From Liverpool to San
Francisco, via (Jape Horn, 17,500 “
From New York to San
Francisco, via Cape Horn, 19 000 “
In illustrating our position New York
has been contrasted with Liverpool. If
we select our Southern seaports, and hear
in mind that ourexyorts. bes .re reaching
New York, or our other seaports, are
charged with an inland freightage us from
one to three thousand miles—the disad
vantages we contend with will be more
apparent. The same able Report adds:
Great Britain has not only the ports of the
continent of Europe as her neighbors, but
she is fifteen hundred miles, or two weeks
nearer than we are to all the other ports
of the world, except the Atlantic ports of
the American continent Nortbofthe Equa
tor and the West Indies.
“This difference in favor of British com
merce, running through our entire exis
tence as a nation, has been a most serious
obstacle for our merchants and navigators
to contend with, and has of itself been a
vast item in favor of the profits on British
capital.”
By constructing the proposed Road, we
shall commercially unite the waters of the
Atlantic with the Pacific—we shall accom
plish an enterprise, which for three centu
ries has more or less been desired by the
leading powers of Europe. We shall do
what Christopher Columbus was attempt
ing when lie discovered anew world—find
a direct passage to the East Indies by go
ing West. We shall, for European com
merce, with the West coast of this conti
nent—with the East India and China seas
—in a voyage “out and home” shorten the
distance more than fifteen thousand miles.
We shall enable them to do in less than
ninety days that which now consumes
twelve months.
By opening up this new passage to India
the United States w ill become centralized
between the European and Asiatic trade.
The almost fabulous argosies of wealth,
which in times past flowed elsewhere, will
pass through our own country, and our
seaports on the Atlantic and Pacific, be
coming the depositories of this mighty
trade, will be what Alexandria, Constan
tinople, Venice and Amsterdam have been.
The seat of the money power will be here.
We shall be, what God and nature intend
ed ; the greatest agricultural, manufactur
ing and commercial nation on earth. And
to the United States, in all conting time,
will be reserved the high honor of having
accomplished a work of internal improve
ment, which, for thebenefits it will confer
on the human family, will be w ithout a
parallel in ancient or modern times. In
the construction of the proposed Road—
so national in its character, so diffusive in
its benefits to every part of the Republic—
we have treated it as an enterprise far a
bove the means of pr.vate citizens, howev
er wealthy, which should be undertaken
and completed under the exclusive control
and management of the government; and
when finished, open to all nations on the
same terms as our citizens, with a ra e of
charges barely sufficient to keep the road
in repair. And instead of sending forth
as has been proposed, a large military force
—with gartisons along the road—we
would respectfully suggest that the public
domain, on each side of the road, be given
to actual settlers. 1 his would cause the
entire route to be settled with a hardy race
of pioneers, who, at all times and under all
circumstances, would prove an effectual
barrier against the incursions of hostile In
dians.
V arinus routes have been suggested as
most suitable tor the location of the road,
and each have their friends and admirers.
High credit is due to those citizens who
have stepped forth as the champions and
friends of a great enterprise, commence
and terminate where it may; and it is
w ith much diffidence we venture to ask ati
expression of public opinion in behalf of
one of the proposed routes, over others ;
and do so only because of the high interests
involved.
I lie most prominent routes for this
Road which have been proposed and press
ed upon the consideration of the public
with much earnestness, and in behalf of
which, the aid of the government has been
asked, in the opinion of the committee,
are badly located. One of them is too fat
South, almost under the Equator, in a fo
reign government. The incidental and
collateral advantages following the con
s ruction of the Roads would bo theirs—
not ours, 'i lie others are too far North.
1 lie great al itude of the country from
which tt is proposed to commence the con
struction of the Pacific Railroad—the im
mense prairies to be passed, destitute of
wood and water, over which the northers
from the Rocky Mountains sweep with
great violence—the vast quanli ies of snow
anu ice to be encountered ; are very se
rious obstacles, annually recur: ing and
beyond remedy. The Mississippi, Missou
ri and Illinois livers, and all tributaries to
them, from the mouth of the Ohio river to
the Northwestern Lakes, are annua ly in
winter, liable to be blockaded up with ice,
from sixty to ninety days ; and in summer
and autumn, for about the same time, the
navigation is interrupted for the larger class
of steamboats, if not for all boats, by low
stages of water.
The objections urged to those Northern
routes, have lately been impressed upon
the public mind most painfully, by the
published accounts of the disasters which
have befallen our enterprising and merito
rit»us fellow citizen, Col. Fremont, on his
late expedition to California.
By reference to the Map of the United
States, and statis ical tables, it will be per
ceited, that three-fourths of the people of
the \ alley of the Mississippi, reside upon
the thousand small streams which make up
and constitute the Hatchie, Forked Deer,
Tennessee. Cumberland, Ohio, Wabash)
Green, Salt, Kentucky, Licking, the Mia
mis, Muskingum, Kanawa, Monongahela
and Alleghany rivers. These rivers emp
tytinto the Mississippi through the mouth
of tie Ohio, or below it. Much the larger
portion of the productions of the people
residing upon the small tributaries which
form the rivers named, are sent to the
Southern cities by the aid of spring and
winter freshes, in light draught boats—
The bulk of the produce of tho country
can thus find its way to market, in these
boats easily and safely, by sailing with the
current, but they cannot be moved against
To locate the proposed Road above the
mouth of the Ohio river, would shut out an
overwhelming majority of the people of the
Mississippi from an equal participation in
the benefits of this new outlet, and subject
them to a double charge of transhipment;
besides the general causes of delay which
have been alluded to, and which would
operate prejudicially to them as well as
allothers. If this new arm of the sea, as
it is sometimes termed, is destinuedto be
come the world’s highway ; if our ships
are to whiten the surface of the two seas,
it becomes a question of high import to us
and the world, that the road be so located
that this mighty internal and foreign com
merce, naval and military supplies, men
and munitions of war, the mail, Ac. shall
pass oTer the same safely, easily, certainly,
at all times, and under all circumstan
cds.
The citizens of the State of Arkansas in
a convention, numerously attended, re
garding the proposed road as a measure
worthy the spirit of the age, have urged
its importance upon the people of the Un
ited States, by weighty considerations of
public policy, in resolutions unanimously
adopted, and asked fir a convention of
the people at Memphis, on the 4th day of
July next. The convention held in Ar
kansas recommended that the proposed
road should he commenced on the West
bank of the Mississippi river opposite
Memphis; thence Westward idly to the
Pacific Ocean. By selecting the West
bank of the Mississippi river, opposite
Memphis, as the beginning point, they
believe the cause of delay mentioned will
be obviated. Here the navigation of the
river is uninterrupted. The course to be
pursued westward, the greater part of the
way, will be through a level country,
abounding with wood and water, the cli
mate mild, exempt from snow and ice,
above theyellow fever region of the South,
below most of the great tributaries which
empty into the Mis-issippi river, midway
between the Gulf of .Mexico and the North
West Lakes, and central to the great val
ley of the Mississippi and the Union. “A
line drawn diagonally across the States,
fiom the Northeast corner of Mexico to
•he Southwest corner of Texas, intersects
another from Southern Florida to the
Northwest corner of lowa, a few miles
from Memphis.”
In the construction of the proposed na
tional highway, the greatest good of the
greatest number, at home and abroad,
should be considered If the Eastern ter
minus of the road be located so far North
as to render the same liable to be impeded
by frosts, it is respectfully urged that this
leading consideration will be overlooked.
By selecting the West Bank of the Mis
sissippi, opposite Memphis, as the East
ern terminus, the interest of the whole
whole coun'ry, North, South, East and
West, foreign and domestic, will be con
sulted.
'I lie great chain of improvements—ma
king and made—connecting the Northern
Atlan ic cities with the Western Lakes,
and the Lakes with the Mississippi and
Ohio rivers, will open up one avenue,
when not impeded by frosts and low wa
ter, to the Northern and Western States
ofthis Union, to Canada, and to that por
tion of foreign commerce which shall pass
through the Northern Atlantic ciiies.—
When the route last mentioned is closed
by ice or other causes, the inconveniences
to which they are subjected, should not be
visited upon others. The chain of rail
roads and canals already constructed and
projected, running through Pennsylvania
May land and Virginia, and connecting
with the Ohio river, is another avenue, ly
ing South of the one first mentioned,
which will accommodate a large portion of
the people of this confederacy.
Again : the Charleston and Augusta
Railroad, already completed to the Ten
nessee line, and which will no doubt, un
der the influences now at woik, be short
ly completed to Memphis, either by aline
passing through Nashville, now in p o
gress, or by a branch through North Ala
bama, or by both, will open up, in con
nection with the Lower Mississippi,
(which from the Ilalize to Memphis is al
ways navigable) another channel of com
munication for foreign commerce—for the
Northern and Southern Atlantic cities
for the entire South, and for the rich and
varied productions of the West India Isl
ands.
Ihe views entertained by the citizens
of Arkansas have lately been enforced by
a distinguished citizen of the U. States,
Lieut. Maury, in a letter to Hon. T. But
ler King, with such force, tru h, and re
search, thst we have thought the pub ic
good would be subserved by its republica
tion. The same is hereto appeuded and
referred to.
The proposition made by Arkansas to
hold a convention at Memphis on the 4th
day of July next, lias been seconded with
earnestness and with entire unanimity by
the citizens of Memphis. By virtue of
their public resolves, it has been made
our duty to confer with the citizens of the
United States upon this interesting topic.
In the discharge of that duty, we have ra
pidly glanced over a few prominent sug
gestions, which have elsewhere and more
happily been expressed by others. Our
main desire has been to excite investiga
tion ; to aid in arousing the dormant ener
gies of the people ; believing when that
has been accomplished, there will go forth
a national fiat commanding the-work to he
done, with more unanimity than has ever
been manifested upon any question.
Tn advocating one of the proposed
routes, over all others, we would deeply
regret to jealousies or pre
judices, or that it should be considered
that the magnitude of the question had
been lost sight of by local considerations.
J he road to bo built must be located. The
friends of each of the several routes, which
have been proposed, have appealed to the
public—we do the same, with entire con
fidence and willingness to abide by their
decision.
We invite the friends of this great mea
sure, and of each of the different schemes
ofthis improvement, to meet and council
with us at the approaching convention; as
suring them, in beha’f of our fellow-citi-
zens, of a sincere and cordial welcome;
and we especially invite you, sil, to be
present on the occasion.
Respectfully,
JOHN T. TREZEVANT,
DAVID LOONEY,
MARCUS B WINCHESTER,
ROBERT C. BRINKLEY,
JOHN POPE, '
KOB’T B. J. TWYMAN,
A. B. WARFORD,
ROBERTSON TOPP,
HENRY VAN PELT,
SETH WHEATLEY.
ROBERT J. YANCEY,
JAMES PENN,
Corresponding Committee.
M A C o n7 g a7~
SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 26, 1849.
The Revival.—The revival commenced in
the Methodist Church of this city, about two
weeks ago, still continues. There is a very fa
vorable, and, so far as we have been able to as
certain, universal interest awakened in behalf
of the cauae. By the concentrated action of the
various denominations—regardless for a time of
sectarian differences—we have no doubt that a
very desirable and salutary benefit upon the
community would be effected. There have
been, up to this time, about fiftv persons taken
on trial for the Methodist membership.
ITpWe comply with the request of a corres
pondent, who sty les himself 11 .# Friend to Macon,”
"by inserting the Report of the Committee to
whom was referred the Ordinance originally re
ported to Council—together with Ihe Ordinance
as it was subsequently amended and finally
passed.
myThe friends ofinternal improvement will
find an interesting circular in this day’s paper.
The Governor of South Carolina has responded
to the call for a convention by the appointment
of one hundred and twenty Delegates to represent
that State in the Memphis Convention to assem
ble on the 4th of July next, among whom we
notice the names of the Hon. J. C. Calhoun
and A. P. Butler. Will not our Governor see
that Georgia be likewise represented there ?
PUBLIC MEETIXU.
Avery large and respectable meeting of the
Citizens of Macon, took place at the Court House
this morning, for the purpose of considering the
propriety ol permitting the Central, South West
ern, and Macon & Western Railroad Companies
to form a connection within the Corporate lim
its of ihe City of Macon. Major James Smith
was called to the Chair and G. W. Fish, Esq,
appointed Secretary. We have only time to
give the Resolutions which were passed by very
large majorities :
K S. Easier, Esq. introduced the following
preamble and Resolutions :
Whereas it is proposed to form a junction of
the Central Railroad and the South Western
Railroad, at a common Depot to be erected with
in the corporate limits of the City of Macon :
And whereas the People ofthis City are asked to
give their consent to the consummation of this
Scheme: Now we, the citizens of Macon, hav
ing calmly considered the subject in all its bear
ings, do
Resolved, Thatwe are opposed to, and will use
all fair and honorable means lo prevent the con
nection of said Roads within the said corporate
limits: Ist Because we believe it would be em
inently injurious to the trade, commerce and
mechanical interests of our city : 2d {{'’cause it
would accomplish the destruction of a large and
important source of revenue to the city; anil
thereby create the necessity for additional oner
ous and burdensome taxation upon the citizens ;
3d. Because it would materially impair, if not
wholly destroy, invaluable rights which have
ves ed in our Corporate Authorities undersolemn
contracts which have been entered into between
this State and sad Corporate Authorities—rights
for tile loss of vv liich, there can he no indemnity,
because there can he no adequate compensation
in an assessment of damages.
Resolved, That we earnestly desire and are
ready to do all that can he reasonably asked at
our hands, to afford to the people of the State,
and the travelling and commercial public every
facility for trade and intercommunication ; but
we cannot believe that the public interest re
quires so great a sacrifice on our part as the loss
of our commerce, revenues and vested rights
would involve—that for so small a benefit on
the one hand, such ruinousconsequences should
supervene on the other—on the contrary', we be
lieve, that the public at large are vitally inter
ested in the prosperity ofthis city, in the growth
of its population and especially, in the increase
of capital at this central point of the State ; ra
ther than in the destruction of a market town
which is even now struggling to maintain its
position and to preserve its integrity.
After the adoption of the above A. P. Powers
Esq. introduced the following Resolutions,which
were also passed :
Rcsolnd, That the Mayor and City Council
he requested to open a correspondence with tho
Georgia Railroad and the Citizens and public
Authorities ofAugusta; and also the Chf.rleston
Railroad and the public Authorities and citizens
of Charleston, and Milledgeville ; also with all
other parties interested, inviting them to join
with the Citizens and public Authorities of Ma
con, in constructing a Railway from Macon to
some eligible point on the Georgia Railroad.
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Meeting
such a Road is desiracle and indispensihle even
to the best interest of our City ; and that our
Mayor and City Council he requested to use
every possible exertion to have this work con
structed .
After the adoption of the above Resolutions
the meeting adjourned.
Godey’s Lady’s Book.—We have often re
commended this invaluable work to our fair
friends—but the improvements in each succeed
ing number are so extensive as to demand fre
quent notice. The established reputation of its
contributors—their chaste, unobjectionable pro.
ductions—and withal, the gifted editress, and
enterprising publisher, are attractions which
need but to be generally known to be extensive
ly patronized.
Holden s Magazine.—We have received the
last number ofthis varied and interesting peri
odical. It contains a large amount of matter,
instructive, amusing, and profitable.
I he Weather.—We have had almost every
variety of temperature in the atmosphere during
the two weeks past. The cold in April killed
most of the silk worms in this vicinity.
Minufactaring in the Esoth. f|
We learn from the Natchez Courier ff, 9 ,
people of several counties in Mississippi /fl
discussing the propriety of erecting Cotton'fß
tories in that State, witli flattering prospect,
succesi. The progress of cotton manufact u . jj
in the South and the large profits which haveg c * 1
ed from the establishment of Factories to „ 1
community around wherever the hand of „ '
directed enterprise has demonstrated beyond it
possibilty of successful contradiction, their j
men e utility, has begun to attract considerab
attention. The Yankees are proverbial for t|, e
enterprise and business sagacity—and when a n ,
branch ofbusiness is likely to prove profitabi"
no matter if it be the making of wooden cloct
and horn flints in New England, digging lead,
the banks of Lake Superior or gold in Califo rn ;
crusing after whales in the Pacific or macke re
along the coast of Newfoundland—a Yankee „
almost sute to be the pioneer in the enterpris,
When such men are forced by the circumstan
ces of the case to admit that Southern Cotto,
Mills have driven the Northern manufacturers of
coarse cottons out of the market, it is sufficient
proof of the profitableness, as well as of the a ffl ,
pie capacity of the South to excel in the finer
branches of manufacturing. The same enter,
prise that produced tho coarser fabrics will even,
tually produce the finer. Mr. Bryant, the edi.
torofthe New York Evening Post, a well known
free trade journal, is now at the South, and in,
Utter dated Barnwell District, South Caroli ni)
describes a cotton mill, where, he says, the poor
white people of Georgia and South Carolina
find occupation. It is a large manufactory, and
the machinery is in perfect order. His sketch
is too graphic to he omitted :
“Here," said a gentleman who accompanied
us, as we entered the long apartment in the se
cond story, “you will see a sample of the bru
nettes of the piny woods.”
The girls of various ages, who are employed
at the spindles, had, for the moat part, asallow
sickly complexion, and in many of their faces!
remarked that look of mingled distrust and de
jection which often accompanies the condition
of extreme, hopeless poverty. “-These pour
girls,” said one of our party,” think themselvea
extremely fortunate to be employed here, and
accept work gladly. They come from the moit
barren parts of Carolina and Georgia, where
their families live wretchedly, for hitherto there
has been no manual occupation provided for
them, front which they do not shrink as disgrace
ful, on account of its being the occupation of in.
groes. In these factories, slaves are not em
ployed as operatives, and this gives the calling
of the factory girl a certain dignity. You would
be surprised to see the change which a short
time effects in these poor people. They come
bare-footed, dirty, and in rags; they are scour*
ed, put into shoe’s and stockings, set at work
and sent regularly to Sunday school, where they
are taught what none of them have been tauglit
before—lo read and write. In a short time they
become expert at their work ; they theii
sullen shyness, and their physiognomy beeomet
comparatively open and cheerful.”
“They have a good deal of the poke-easy
manner of the piny woods about them yet,” re
marked one of our party, a Georgian. It was
true, I perceived that they had not yet acquired
all that alacrity and quickness in their work,
which you see in the work people of the New
England mills. In one of the upper stories, I
sa>v a girl of a clearer complexion than the rest,
with two long curls swinging behind each ear,
as she stepped about with the air of a duchess.
“That girl is from the North,” said our condae*
tor ; “at first we placed an expert operative from
the North in each story of the building, as aft
instructor and pattern to the rest.”
I have since learned that attempts have been
made at first to induce the poor white people to
work side by side withthe blacks in these mills.
I hey utterly failed, and the question then be
came with the proprietors, whether they should
employ blacks only, or whites only ; whether
they should give these poor white people
an occupation which, while it tended to elevate
their condition, secured a more expert class of
work people than the negroes could be expected
to become, or whether they should rely upon
the less intelligent and more negligent servicei
of slaves. They decided at length upon banish
ing the labor of blacks from their mills.
At Graniteville, in South Carolina, about ten
miles from the Savannah river, a little manufac
turing village has lately been built up, where
the families of crackers, as they are called, re
claimed from their idle lives in the woods, are
settled, and white labor only is employed. The
enterprise is said to be in a most prosperous con
dition .
Only coarse cloths are made at these miils—
strong thick fabrics, suitable for negro shirting
—and the demand for this kind of goods, I am
told, is greater than the supply. Every yard
made in the manufactory at Augusta, is taken
off as soon ns it leaves the loom- I fell in with
a Northern man in the course of the day, who
told me that these mills had driven the Northern
manufacturer of coarse cloths out of the Southern
market.
“The buildings are erected here more cheap
ly,” he continued ; “there is far less expense in
fuel, and the wages of the work people are less.
At first, the boys and girls of the ‘cracker’ fami
lies were engaged for little more than their
board ; —their wages are now better, but they
are still low. lam about to go to the North,and
I shall do my best to persuade some of my friends
who have been almost ruined by this Southern
competition, to come to Augusta and set up cot
ton mills. ’’
O’ The Steamer Tennessee left Savannah
on the 23d inst., for New York, with 86 cabin
passengers, and 35 steerage. This is the lar
gest number which has ever left that port at one
time in one vessel. Some fifty or s+xty of these
passengers passed through this city and took
passage on the Central Railroad. Weareplea*-
ed to see this evidence of the success of this line
of steamers, and hope that their enterprising
owners may reap a rich reward for their efforts
jo accommodate the travelling public.
O’ Major Gen. Worth died of cholera in
Texas on the 7th inst