The North-Carolinian., 1855-09-01
NORTH CAROLINIAN.
Effect of Free Labor in the South.
E.iTETTETILLE, ". G.

The impracticabity of extensive cuItivating
Southern soil by free labor has been demonstra-
ted by repeated experiments Several of them,
narrated in speech once delivered in Congress
by Mr. Holmes of South Carolina, will bear
reptition, and ought to be kept before the peo-
pie. One of these occurred iii our own country,
in South Carolina and in Florida. 4 distin-
guished Methodist clergyman-the Rev. Mr..
Capers-tried an experiment under circumstan-
ces peculiarly favorable to its success. Before
giving freedom to his slaves, he endeavorcd to
prepare them for therir new position by moral
and religious Instruction. He then liberated
them, gave them plantation aud left it after
harvest with the barns full, stock of cattle and
sheep, and horse to plough. He then deliv-
cred the estate into their hands, giving them
amy quantity Of good advice and admonition.
and took his departure for his distant home.
After a lapse of several months, he returned to
the scene of his philanthropy, and instead of
the pleasant spectacle which he had expected
he found uncultivatc,l fields, cattle eaten up,
and empty barns. The horse remained, but
was used not for ploughing and carting, but 10
aid in depredations the ne.hboring planta
tiOns.
Another case occurred i'll 1910 in Trinidad,
which had fourished under slave labor; but the
estates, i'll consequence of British West India
emancipation had been deserted by the
laborcrs. One of the planters came to this
country and induced many colorcd persons in
Maryland and the District of Columbia to go
to Trinidad and cultivate the lands upon the
most advantageous terms. This experiment
also resulted in complete failure; the free ne
SrOes found the sun too hot, and either rcsOrtcd
to the towns or returned to this country.
Another case related by Mr. Holmes is one
of white labor. The distinguished VIM. Writ
having purchased land in Florida, aud having
some scruples against the employment Of slave
labor carried down to his Florida plantation a
large number of white men. They commenced
work in autum and during the winter and spring
seasons worked with such diligence and fidelity
that Mr. Writ began to conceive his brightest
ntcipationS already realized. But summer
came with its hot days and moist nights, the
snews of the white laborers were relaxed their
strength began to fail, and finding the burning
heat altogether too much for them, they threw
down their agricultural implements, and i'll
body left the plantation. Mr. Writ would have
lost his entire crop, but for the fortunate cir
cumstance that gang of negroes were in the
neighborhood for sale, whom Mr. Writ purchas-
ed. and thus his crop saved.
Another experiment with white was
tried in Florida by New York gentlemen. who
took Il large number of German laborers to
Florida, and began the cultivation of New
Smy yrn, which, SAYS Mr. Holmes, was track
of land uponiwhich German colony once set
tied, but finding free labor could not cultivate
Southern soil. had abandoned it. With true
German fidelity and industry, the new laborers
began their task, and alter placing the ground
in beautiful order, planted the crops. Bnt
they, too, were abruptly driven off hy the hot
weather. and there beiu. no negroes for sale i'll
the neighborhood to supply their place the New
York gentleman lost his crop and abandoned
his estate
These experiments prove that Southern soil
cannot be extensively cultivated by free labor.
You might as we'll abolish the soil. abolish
the system by which alone it can bc made pro-
tiuctive.- Richmond Dispatch.