The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-06-09

idea and some one may say If South Car
olina can do so much, the other cotton
states can do it too, or that South Carolina
is looking ahead 10 making all.the cotton
wanted. But observe, | am not telling
what we are trying to do, what we are
going to do, but what we could do if we
would, and what duty to ourselves requi-
res that we should boldly attempt for our
sake and the sake of those who are to come
after us, If we wish to improve our condi-
ton by using our resources or even main
tam our present standing before the
world.
Union or disunion, secession or submiss-
ION, this Is our present home here we
hnd our lots cast ; here our abiding place.
And the Mighty Makers command to
Adam in Eden to subdue, to dress and to
keep it is n command to us. If not so
audible from Deity, we hear it from in
terest, from natures first law from the de-
sire to provide for those dependent upon us,
and to enlarge our blessings,
Let our rivers be straightened-throw
all the water into one straight channel
! that it may run off quick and wash out
d"ep-thus securing their doltas free from
ir, shets, and you open up an immense
mhrc "fagi" Lltural wealth, which must add
to your capital, increase your productions
and comforts, employ your labor and skill
to greater advantage, invite an increase
and retain your present numbers-which
II something is not done, must look out
for other fields to operate in. To effect
iS &,
losethem, we lose the essentials ofstrength,
capital and population-when the opposite
course will encourage them to remain with
their energies, means aud productions.
Small streams are ditched drained and
rcdrained, as we will see on almost every
plantation-thcn why not the rivers that
are worth so much more!
From Camden falls to Santce is about
40 miles-the swamp will average at least
two miles-many places it is four miles
across-but say two miles all the way
and you have eighty square miles or up
wards, fifty one thousand acres of land, OF
which there is not now under culture above
$4,000 acres, thus adding 10000 acres OF
new. land; or say an increase of value on
the whole Of $50 per acre, gives us / ,ooO,,
600. And this in ashort distance of Wa
teree alone, in the centre Of the State, while
there is Santee Congaree, the Pee Dees
Lynches Creek, and several other streams
adding IN all, ten ,r twenty times more
As we know moro about Wateree River
and we we believe that no other would
yield so much at so little expense, we can
say more about it, and would respectfully
ask particular attention TO il, from Camden
to Santee. In straight line, it is about
forty miles--as 1t runs, l25 miles or more
The fall lS inches or more to the mile
rs it could not run with less. Reduce the
length to forty miles, and concentrate the
fall, gives us five feet, and if the flow in
creases in propotion, it would run off in
one day as much as it runs now in one
week, and the single channel give sufficient
vent for all the water.
The old river beds could soon be plant.
ed,--the creeks, lakes, and ponds could be
drained by bitches into the depend chan.
mel, and all or nearly all rendered secure
from overflow Of water, which has been SO
frequently the last few years as to dis
courage the few that plant them. The
crops and stock lost in the last ten wears
would be a sufficient sum to pay for the
work ] propose.
These lands are greatly needed, for
what was naturally fertile of the high
lands, has become much worn, while those
lands once made free from freshets, are
almost invaluable, the quality of the soil
being the very richest, and lying so as
never to wear out, producing cotton, corn,
or small grain equal to any lands on earth.
The great advantages would not be for a
few years only, or require a periodical ex-
pense to keep them up, as most improve
ments do, but they will tell and tell well
for all time to come. .
An expenditure of 100000 by the
State will add one million TO its wealth.
LANES now valued at FIVE dollars, will be
worth fifty dollars per acre: il is too large
an undertakngforind individuals, though they
have done much in banking out, which
does not answerthe purpose. TO embank
all the way would cost three times the
money that strengthening il would, and
then 10 the cmbanknents are ALWAYS
liable t0 brake or be undermined, while
the water outside Of thC;n must lie on the
ground which is often an injury to crons
81 t.c ground, and hinhrnnce ilom work
The enterprise Is 50 inviting 10 the State
so much can he done with 10 little money.
let IL he surveyed by competent man.
COUNT the cost, make all the calculations,
and 20 to woik as soon as possible. Here
We iltyc rich minos which are certain ney-
erto fail. They cannot be worked too soon
Objection might be made to this maguf-
cent Improvements ;,s Fclo;nd:ag t.oImch
-Jthr benefit oi few, which answer by
asking what work Of It's kind has not tln
same tendency! Where railroad passes
land rises in price. Town property and
rents Increase in value, whore the facilities
OF trade and travel are enlarged; and
What Is good for 2 part Of the people is
good for the whole. The State belongs
to tho people, AMI without the people, il
cnsIld NOT t,o IN W. insisf ,yitb s,.o..