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THE CHANGING SOUTH.
"The bottom rail is on top" was a phrase which had flashed throughout the late Confederate States.

It had been coined by the Negroes in 1867 to express their view of the situation, but its aptness had been recognized by all.

After ten years of social and economic revolution, however, it was not so clear that the phrase of 1867 correctly described the new situation.

"The white man made free" would have been a more accurate epitome, for the white man had been able, in spite of his temporary disabilities, to compete with the Negro in all industries.
It will be remembered that the Negro districts were least exposed to the destruction of war.