Exodus from the South [pp. 352-356]

EXODUS FROM THE SOUTH.
the evil; to wait in patient expectation for "the good time
coming," whether it be near or distant; to submit with wise and
cheerful resignation to the brief or long-continued probation
which may be imposed; and to suffer ourselves to be beguiled
neither by the extravagance of hopes which have no justification, nor by the folly of despair which has neither ground nor
reason.
The horoscope of the times indicates change, all-pervading
change. Destiny no longer runs parallel with the wishes or
designs of men, so as to produce the impression of being under
human guidance. Phaethon has lost the reins, and been thrown
headlong from the chariot of the sun. But the order of Providence moves on none the less steadily to the accomplishment of
distinct, though unknown issues. We have nothing more to do
than to observe, to wonder, to adore, and to submit.
For good or for evil a new birth of time is at hand; a new
cycle of the ages is preparing to unroll itself; a new revolution of fate is in prospect.
ART. II.-EXODUS FROMl TIIE SOUTH.
BEFORE the war, the people of the Nor4h complained that immigration from that section, and from Europe, to the South was
prevented by the existence of negro slavery amongst us; and
that if the slaves were emancipated, there would at once follow
a large influx of such immigration. They complained, moreover,
with some show of plausibility, that we were playing dog in the
manger, by monopolizing vast quantities of the most desirable
farming lands in the world, the half of which we had not labor
to cultivate, and yet by means of negro slavery excluding millions
of destitute landless laborers from other regions. The strongest
argument, and the one most relied on by abolitionists, was that
the liberation of the slaves would at once open the South to a
vast immigration of farmers and laborers from the North. Well,
emancipation is perfected, and what is the result? Why twenty
times as many Northern men and women came to the South to
settle or to engage in business before the war as come now;
and no immigrants come in from Europe. The South, given
over, or very soon to be given over, to free negroes, is shunned
as a very plague spot. The millions of paupers at the North
and in Europe, would sooner draw out a precarious subsistance
from meagre charity at home, than try their fortunes in the
South. Under the present policy of government, their course
is dictated by unerring instinct and sagacity, which is better
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