The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-05-11
WHOLE NUMBER 1O5,

fleece to clothe his workers. This policy
would require reduction in the number OF
acres planted in cotton, but if the policy
could become uniform throughout the plant
ing States, the reduction would entail no
loss; the reduced crop yielding as large an
aggregate as is now brought. by full crops 8
but if loss should follow, it will be mora
than reimbursed in the falling off of plant
alton 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. Tie.
cultivation of great staple, which can BE-
readily converted into cash, disinclines the
planter to look after the details of minor
interests, which, being neglected, must be
supplied by contributions levied on the Sta
pie crop. This being true, whilst the mar.
kct value ofthe labor producing only great
staple, is greater than the same amount en-
ployed in farming, the farmer amasses wealth,
more rapidly than the planter, and for this.
reason, in thirty years, the State of Ken
tucky and Ienncssce-farming States-will
he the wealthiest in the Union, not except
ing Mississippi or Louisiana.
They send their surplus products to the
South, growing staples, and receive the cash..
portion of it is expended by them with the
Foreign or Eastern merchant and manufac-
turcr, the balance, which is by no means in
| considerable, remains with them and is in
vested in public improvements, in building
and decorating mansions, and in multiply
ing personal comforts. What disposition
is made Of the proceeds of tho staple crop,
by the planter9 The Foreign and Eastern
merchant and manufacturer receives. in any
event, as large sum as the Kentuclian e1-
penGs, but the planters outlay does not stop.
there. All the pork and bacon, and much
of the beef to support his workers for the
year, must be bought and paid for, and not
unfrequently the corn and flour, aids in
swelling the bill. His horses and mules
are worn out or have died during the year.
and their number is to be replenished for
the next crop. How much of the proceeds
of the staple crop remain to be invested i'm
public improvements and personal comforts
after this depicting, eastward and westward.
Our planters neglect the education of
their sons in the business Of planting, and
too often have occasion to indulge in bitter
regrets for this omission. How few of them
on attaining their majority and being pre-
sented by kind father with plantation
and hands are qualified for its judicious su-
pervision9 They know nothing of the
culture of crop-of what constitutes a
days labor-of seed time and harvest-of
the feeding and caring for of their stock
They are deceived by their workers and dup
ed by their oyerseers. A few years reveal
to them the prospect of bankruptcy, and
tho overseer becomes the owner of the es-
tates which he lately supervised. The orig
inal owner, the unframed and uneducated
son, is less ccnsurable than the overland IA
ther who neglected to teach him in his youth
the practical duties of the business Of life
le was appointed to pursue.
But cannot longer detain you, in point
ing out amedments to the domestic policy
of South Carolina. I should have been
gratiied to have given some thoughts ON
the culture Of the vine, and tho manufac-
ture Of wines in the middle and upper DIS
tricts, new department in husbandry,
which will certainly at no distant day ab-
sorb profitably much Of the agricultural la
Dor Of the State, and also some thoughts on
leveeing and draining the swamp lands of
the lower districts, which would open to
cultivation a vast area of lands whose fer
tility would compare with the valley Of the
Nile. Ileave these and other topics to
those whose experience and greater wisdom
will enable them to entertain and instruet
you more thoroughly than can hope to do.
Mr.. President and gentlemen of the In
stitute, my task is nearly ended. You have
my contribution to this Institute, over which
you preside-"would it were worthier." I
have attempted to enforce the conviction
that our prosperity is absolutely dependent
upon the judicious distribution of labor
and capitsl-upon its diversion from agri-
culture toinanufactures and the mechanic
arts. Ny ambition on this interesting oc-
casion has been not to indulge in the ,rhet-
oric Of the orator, bnt to turn the attention
of my countrymen by practical suggestio6s
to the best means of stimulating and dsy0ls
oping a new and vigorous prosperity.
amino these suggestions with critical eau
ton; accept such as are founded on Wis
dom; reject those based on error; and do
something to make Charleston, the psidesof
every true hearted Carolinian-- great oity
I-greatin her commerce-grea in her tom,
nage-great in her mechanic arts-gsaat IN
her manufactures, andsgreat ID The nhmber
and enterprise Of her inhabitants ssIiF saf l.
Do something to mako South Carolina a
successfulrival to san her competing isxcSi-
! ates in the rnechaIc.atts and manufactures.
and build up for her fame, as honorable
ond Inv; rr. * fthn sJ,tll "A .drs