The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-05-02

the policy could become uniform through !,
out the planting States, he reduction
would entail no loss the reduced crop
yielding as large an aggregate as is now
brought by full crops; but if loss should
follow, it will be more than reimbursed in
the falling Oft of plantation expenses.
The system, order, personal supervision
and care for small matters, which this
| change would initiate, will beget economy
"a personal virtue which our planters do
not in an eminent degree possess The
cultivation of a great staple, which can be.
readily converted into cash. disncines tho
planter to look after the details of minor
interests, which, being neglected, must be
supplied by contributions levied on the
staple crop. This being true, whilst the
market value of the laLor, producing only
great staple, is greater than the same a
mount employed in farming, the farmer
amasscs wealth more rapidly than the
planter, and for this reason, in thirty years,
the States of Kentucky and Tennessee
farming StateS--wil be the wealthiest in
the Union, not excepting Mississippi or
Louisiana.
They send their surplus products to the
South, growing staples and receive the
cash. Aportion OF it is expended by them
with the Foreign or Eastern merchant and
manufacturer, the balance, whicl, is by
no means inconsderablc, remains with.
them and is invested in public improve-
ments, in building aud decorating man
si"ns, and in multiplying personal com
forts. What disposition is made Of the
proceeds of the staple crop by the planter.
The Foreign and Eastern merchant aud
manufacturer receives, in any event, rs
large Il sum rs the kentuckian expcnds,
but the planters outlay does not stop there.
AL the pork aud bacon, and much Of the
beef to support his workers for the year.
must be bought ond paid for, aud not un-
frequently the corn aud flour, aid in swell
ing the bill. Ills horses and mules are
worn out or have died during the year,
and their number is to be replenished for
the nex, crop. How much OF the proceeds
of the staple crop remains TO be invested
in public improvements and personal com.
forts after his dcpleting, eastward aud
wc.tw8rlt
Our planters neglect tue education OF
! their sons in the business Of Planting, and
too often have occasion to indulge in Bit
ter regrets for this omission; How few
Of them OH attaining their majority, and
Seining presented 10y kind father With
a plantation and hands, are qualified Tor
its judicious supervision They, know
nothing of the cal,urc OF crop--of what
constitutes days labor---of seed lime
and harvcst--o of The feeding and caring
Tor their stock. They are deceived by
their workers and duped by their over
seers. A few years reveal to them IL.
prospect Of bankruptcy, and the overseer
becomes the owner of the estates which
he lately supervised. The original owu-
or, the aptainted and Iaeducated son, Is
less censurablc than the oyerkind father
who neglected 10 teach him i'll his youth
the practica! duties of tile business Of III.
he was appointed TO pursue.
But cannot longc, detain YOU in point.
ing out amen !ments TO the domestic pol
Icy of South Carolina. | should have
been gratiiied to have given YOU some
thoughts on the culture of the vine, and
the manufacture OF wines in the midd Q
and upper districts, new department. in
husbandry, which will certainly Mt no
distant day absorb profirally m,,cl, of the
agricultural labor Of the State, aud also
some thoughts on lsvecEg nnd drniuiny
the swamp lands Of the lower districts,
which would open TO cultivation vast
area of lands whose fertility would COM
pare with tho valley Of the Nile. leave
these and other topics 10 those whose cx-
pericnce and greater wisdom will enable
them To entertain and instruct YOU more
thoroughly than can hope to do.
MIR. President and gentlemen of the IN
Stitutc, my task is nearly ended. You
have my contribution TO this Institute,
over which you presi e-"wauld il were
worihier.' have attempted 10 enforce
the conviction that or prosperity il alb
solutely drpcuden, upon the judicious dis
tribuiion Of labor and capital-mp"n It's
diversion from agriculture TO manufactures
and the mechanic arts. My ambition on
this interesting. occasion has been not To-
indulge in the rhetoric % the orator, but
to turn the attention Of my countrymcn,
nv practical suggestions, TO The best means
of stimulating and developing u new and
vigorous prosperity. Examine these sun-
gestions with critical caution; accept such
as are founded on wisdom; reject those
based on error, and do something TO make
Chareston-the pride of every true.hear-
ted CaroIinian-- great citv--great in
her commercc-2rcat in her tonnage
great in her mechanic arts--grcat in her
manufactures, and great in the number
and enterprise Of her inhabitants.
DO something to make South Carolina
successful rival TO all her competing as
sociates in the mecanic arts and manufac
lures, and build up tor her fame as hon
orable and enduringto the skill aud ecni-
us Of her sons, in the industrial records OF
the historian, MS that intellectual and pat.
riotic fame which our fathers reared for
her, and which now lights up so brilliant
Iy every page of her history.
Distressing and Fetal Aecidens.