Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-08-08


1881 has been for each decade only 10 per
cent 1t will be found to be general law
that, owing to variety Of causes, the ratio of
increase diminishes as population becomes more
! dense.
Though, therefore the ratio in South Caroli-
ma continue, for a term of years, uniform at 20
per cent. yet when we view the causes that
usually retard population, such as wars, epidem.
les, celibacy, diseases induced by trades and
manufactures, irregularities and diseases that
spring up in crowded cities and places, the en-
igraton that will take place a6iong the whites
&C., we may conclude that the ratio of ofincrease
will he reduced much below 20 per cent But
taking 20 per cent. as the ratio, it will be found
on calculation, that the assumed maximum Of
population would not be reached till beyond
the year 5000; and making due allowance for
depopulation in various ways, and for the GER
tain depression in the ratio of increase, not,
perhaps, till century later.
But it may be asked, what is to be done
when the ndrimum is reached? 1t would be
useless to attempt to devise ways and means
for the objects OF remote posterity :-"su6fcient
for The day is The eUitthereof;" but we may well
conclude that our destiny will be that of other
nations which have had, and which are yet to
experience surplus population. Providence,
in his bene6cent purpose, usually sustains
Just ratio between substance and population;
and when by bad governments, or natural eau
ses, that proportion is destroyed, He rarely
fails to plan measures either to prevent or to
provide for the surplus inhabitants Of coun-
try What means may be employed in our
particular case, it is not for finite mind to con-
ceve. 1t would. at all events, from the remote
ness Of the period at which such an event is
likely to happen, be an improper subject OF dis.
cussion at present. 1t must fall to the duty OF
after generations, under the guidance of an all
wise and providcnt Creator.
But it may well excite our anxiety to know,
what will be the probable effects upon our
wealth and prosperity of the increase of our
population, if restricted to our own borders
We can only see into the future by the lights
of the past 1t is clear, as population increa-
ses, 50 will also the productive industry OF the
State. This, as q natural result, will greatly
multiply capital among US. And political r.
economy, based on The experience OF nations,
teaches, that Accumulated capital, gradually
increasing, is sure means of furnishing SUBJ
sstence and for supporting aud maintaining
permanently moderately increasing popula.
tiom"~ And this is, also, the strongest evidence
of national prosperity. No fears, therefore,
need be entertained US to the capacity Of the
State TO provide for every reasonable increase
Of its population.
1t is probable, that after great while, when
our numbers shall have reached several millions,
labor becoming cheaper, our slaves will, to some
extent, depreciate in value; but, at the same
time, by the great improvements in agriculture,
which a dense population always introduces,
the value of our lands will be greatly enhdnc.
ed +; and large and profitable investments will,
also, be made in other branches OF industry as
in manufactures, commerce, &C., which will
more than compensate for the diminutlon in
the value Of our slaves; while, by this transfer
of slave value to objects more affixed to the
soil, the removal of the slaves from our limits,
should future circumstances render 1t necessa-
ry, will bs greatly facilitated, and will be rem.
dered less burdenous to the slave owner and
to the State.
But for a great length of time, owing to the
peculiar products of our soil, neither any con-
siderable dmnution in the value of the slave,
nur any necessity for his removal from the State
is likely to arise. Who eau tell how much the
fertility of our soil may be increased BY judi.
cious culture and by the use of manures! 1t
has been found by experience, that a field, which
in natural state, produces but 10 bushels OF
wheat, may be made to produce 40. This has
been actually done in England. In one whole
county, (Norfolk) not naturally very fertile, the
ave. age of farms is said to be from 30 to 80
bushes to the acre. Why may not the same
deyree of oroductiveness be reached in South
Carolina! Our suil is naturally more fertile
than that of England. This improvement can
be made, and it will be, when necessity urges
to it.
Suppose then our slaves to be even kept out
of the highly profitable employments OF com
merce, mechanics and manufactures, and d.
rected exclusively to agricultural labor, what
an immense yield may reasonably be expected
when our lands have all been reduced to Guilt
vation aud properly Improved! The slaves, as
they increase, could OF themselves support the
whole white population OF the State. In Great
Britain, about 100000 Of agricultural Labor
ers and manufacturers support by their produc-
tive labor, about l0,OOO,O0o OF unproduct'Ve
consumers. Why could not equal prodactVe-
ness be realized among US! On this estimate,
Sout!, Carolina could maintain population OF
from 10 900 600 to l2,000,0OO, and retain her
slaves rs valuable property. At all events, we
NAV safely reckon on internal and external re-
sonrces Of wealth and prosperity for centuries