Henry Grady - The New South - 1886

Henry Grady was an American journalist and orator who delivered a speech on December 22, 1886, entitled "The New South." In his speech, Grady argued that the South needed to move away from its reliance on agriculture and embrace industrialization in order to become prosperous again after the devastation of the Civil War.

Grady believed that the North had surpassed the South in terms of economic and industrial development, and that the only way for the South to catch up was to adopt Northern business practices and technologies. He argued that the South had vast natural resources, including coal and iron, that could be used to build industries and create jobs.

However, Grady also acknowledged that the South had a long way to go in terms of social and political progress. He called for an end to racial discrimination and advocated for the education and empowerment of African Americans. He also encouraged Southern whites to work with Northern businessmen and investors to create a more diverse and prosperous economy.

Grady's speech was widely celebrated at the time, and he became known as one of the most influential voices of the "New South" movement. His vision of a modern and prosperous South, based on industrialization and cooperation, helped to shape the region's economic and cultural identity in the decades that followed. - with chatGPT



- Full Text -


The old South rested everything on slavery and agriculture, unconscious that these could neither give nor maintain healthy growth. The new South presents a perfect democracy, the oligarchs leading in the popular movement; a social system compact and closely knitted, less splendid on the surface, but stronger at the core; a hundred farms for every plantation, fifty homes for every palace; and a diversified industry that meets the complex needs of this complex age.

The new South is enamored of her new work. Her soul is stirred with the breath of a new life. The light of a grander day is falling fair on her face. She is thrilling with the consciousness of growing power and prosperity. As she stands upright, full-statured and equal among the people of the earth, breathing the keen air and looking out upon the expanded horizon, she understands that her emancipation came because, through the inscrutable wisdom of God, her honest purpose was crossed and her brave armies were beaten.

This is said in no spirit of time-serving or apology. The South has nothing for which to apologize. She believes that the late struggle between the States was war and not rebellion, revolution and not conspiracy, and that her convictions were as honest as yours. I should be unjust to the dauntless spirit of the South and to my own convictions if I did not make this plain in this presence. The South has nothing to take back.

In my native town of Athens is a monument that crowns its central hill — a plain, white shaft. Deep cut into its shining side is a name dear to me above the names of men — that of a brave and simple man who died in brave and simple faith. Not for all the glories of New England, from Plymouth Rock all the way, would I exchange the heritage he left me in his soldier’s death. To the foot of that shaft I shall send my children’s children to reverence him who ennobled their name with his heroic blood. But, sir, speaking from the shadow of that memory which I honor as I do nothing else on earth, I say that the cause in which he suffered and for which he gave his life was adjudged by a higher and fuller wisdom than his or mine, and I am glad that the omniscient God held the balance of battle in His Almighty hand, and that human slavery was swept forever from American soil — that the American Union was saved from the wreck of war.

This message, Mr. President, comes to you from consecrated ground. Every foot of soil about the city in which I live is sacred as a battle ground of the Republic. Every hill that invests it is hallowed to you by the blood of your brothers who died for your victory, and doubly hallowed to us by the blood of those who died hopeless, but undaunted, in defeat — sacred soil to all of us, rich with memories that make us purer and stronger and better, silent but stanch witnesses in its red desolation of the matchless valor of American hearts and the deathless glory of American arms, speaking an eloquent witness in its white peace and prosperity to the indissoluble union of American States and the imperishable brotherhood of the American people. - with chatGPT

https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/18-industrial-america/henry-grady-on-the-new-south-1886/

 

Photos related to articles recommended using "chatGPT" and "unsplash.com". This picture can change every time you access it.


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Winston Churchill - Funeral Address for King George VI - 1952

Image
 In February 1952, following the death of King George VI, Sir Winston Churchill, who was serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the time, delivered a funeral address. This speech paid tribute to the late King and commemorated his life and reign. In his address, Churchill praised King George VI's unwavering dedication to his duties and his strong moral character. He acknowledged the King's perseverance through challenging times, such as World War II, and the critical role he played in uniting the nation and the Commonwealth during these difficult years. Churchill highlighted King George VI's deep sense of responsibility and his commitment to the welfare of his people, which endeared him to the British public. The Prime Minister also emphasized the King's steadfast support for the democratic principles and institutions that underpinned the British political system. Churchill spoke about the personal qualities of King George VI, describing him as a kind, compas...
Read more

Theodore Roosevelt's - The Man with the Muck-Rake - 1906

Image
  "The Man with the Muck-Rake" was a speech given by President Theodore Roosevelt on April 14, 1906, at the Gridiron Club in Washington, D.C. In his speech, Roosevelt addressed the issue of "yellow journalism" and criticized those who sought to expose the flaws and corruption of society without offering solutions to fix them. The speech was based on a passage from John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," in which the character Ignorance is shown using a muck-rake to focus only on the dirt and filth on the ground while ignoring the crown above him. Roosevelt used this analogy to criticize journalists and writers who were only focused on exposing corruption and ignored the positive aspects of society. Roosevelt argued that it was important to recognize and acknowledge the problems in society, but it was equally important to offer solutions to fix them. He urged journalists and writers to use their platforms to promote constructive and positive change inst...
Read more

Richard Nixon - Apollo 11 Moon Landing Address - 1969

Image
On July 20, 1969, President Richard Nixon delivered a historic address to the nation, celebrating the successful Apollo 11 moon landing. This monumental achievement marked the first time humans had set foot on the moon, and it fulfilled President John F. Kennedy's ambitious goal of reaching the moon by the end of the 1960s. In his address, President Nixon commended the tremendous efforts of the astronauts—Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins—as well as the thousands of scientists, engineers, and support staff who had worked tirelessly to make the mission a success. He acknowledged the global impact of this accomplishment, describing it as a victory for humanity as a whole and a testament to the power of human ingenuity and determination. Nixon emphasized the importance of the United States' leadership in space exploration, asserting that the nation's commitment to science, technology, and innovation had enabled it to achieve this unprecedented milestone. He also...
Read more