NEEDS OF THE SOUTH. 285 



present necessities. To be contented and useful, their social and politi- 

 cal surroundings must be to some extent similar to those formerly 

 enjoyed. To be prosperous, they must find reasonable compensation 

 from the output of their labor. None of these circumstances would 

 meet the moneyless immigrant in the South. 



It has been said of some of the populous European countries, that) 

 their greatest need was "more room and fresh air." This cannot be 

 said of the South. We have millions of acres of fertile lands lying 

 waste, and our climate is all that could be desired. Proper cultivation 

 of the soil produces the varied cereals and fruits necessary to existence, 

 health, and comfort of the human family. Peculiar to this South-land 

 we have the cotton crop, upon which the world depends largely for 

 cheap and durable fabrics. Nor do we need brains. The history of 

 this country clearly demonstrates that, from colonial days to the present 

 time, Southern men and Southern women have stood in the foremost 

 rank, whether in the councils of the nation, in the pulpit, on the battle- 

 field, telling the secrets of science, or tilling the soil. Our men have 

 proven themselves equal to every emergency, and our women have 

 been the admiration of the world for their hospitality, modesty, and 

 intelligence. 



With very few exceptions, she does not need additional transportation. 

 Our whole country is checkered with railroad lines. We are surrounded, 

 on the east and south, by the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, our great rivers 

 penetrating the same, their navigable currents spreading themselves out 

 over our vast territory. 



To arrange and display the needs of the South in their order as to 

 importance, we believe that the Alliance has well stated them : First, 

 we need education. I use this word in its true and broad sense. Our 

 people, since the war closed, have had but little opportunity, and less 

 financial ability, for thought and study than any people in modern his- 

 tory. Outside of our cities and towns, our system of popular education 

 has been largely a farce. This has depopulated the rural districts to a 

 large extent, and crowded the thoroughfares of our cities, where a better 

 system usually obtains. Of all the burdens a people can bear, in the 

 way of taxes, ignorance far surpasses all others. We need, therefore, in 

 the South a thorough, practical, and economical system of common- 

 school education. 



The development of the South means a development of the rural sec- 

 tions. To do this there must be an inducement held out to those who 

 are domiciled outside of the cities and towns. By nature we are shut 

 up largely to the pursuit of agriculture, and no greater mistake can be 



