developed gradually, and as capital shall become assured that the
labor problem in the South is satisfactorily adjusted.

We are told again that cotton mills are to be transferred from the
North to the South. Hitherto cheap cottons have been the product of
these Southern cotton mills. But now the promise is that the finest
grades of cotton will be produced. Labor is cheap in the South, but
skilled labor is very scarce, and no cheaper than at the North, and to
transfer such labor from the North will be at the additional cost of
transportation.

Great efforts are made from time to time to induce immigrants to
settle in the South, and high hopes have been built on such endeavors.
But immigrants continue to go to the North and West, and do not go
South. This is not because the South is not rich in minerals, in a
productive soil and a beautiful climate. Why is it? Capital in the
hands of the whites in the South continues to crush labor in the
person of the black man under the heel of prejudice. Perhaps the
laborer from Europe may dread the same thing.

In spite of all drawbacks, the South _is_ improving, and will
continue to improve, and the process will be hastened as the white
man lays aside his race prejudice and the black man lifts himself
above it by acquiring property, intelligence and character. Whatever
helps this consummation does more for the future good of the South
than can be done in any other way.