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

per annum. This timidity is a barrier to
enterprise, and some useful lessons might be
learned by them from our northern rivals.
In some particulars the population of the
North and East, is misjudged in the South.
They are people full of enterprise, energy,
industry, thrift and economy. In personal
expenditures their economy is so rigid that
we often denominate tparsilnony, and their
chaffering over small sums implies a total
absence Of libcrality. Their rule of life is
to expcnd the smallest possible amount in
purchasing ordinary comforts or pleasures,
for when thus expended it is SO much capital
forever gone, and to invest their surplus
gains, in any and every conceivable scheme
promising directly or remotely to bring
profit or interest. Their enterprise and adj.
venture is so great that no new project is too
chnnerlcal to secure for experiment IN in
vestment of northern capital. Hence you
see the streams Of New England and some
OF the Middle States lined with machinery.
Their railroads surmount every hill and pen
citrate every valley. Their other public
works and all their public buildings, mani.
fest the same indomitable enterprise and a
spirit of adventure that hazards capital in
every scheme. Their Whole country in all
its length and breadth is monument to
their industry and public spirit. They arc
shrewd in driving a bargain-so much so
as to expose them to the imputation of dis
lngcnuousncss. In their conduct they rec
oegnize the morality, and put into practice
in trade, the old common law doctrine of
contracts, carcdt emptor. Their public
charitable institutions are high tributes to
their bencvolcncc. They husband dimes
to invest or donate dollars. The invent
tive genius of her sons is fostcrcd and re-
warded by their willingness to try every nov
city, and if it proves useful, ample compen,
sation is reaped by the inventor for tile new
thought. Their investments ortentmcs are
prohtlcss, and yet it seems to be no discour-
agemcnt, it rather incites to other schemes.
promising reimbursement for past losses, and
great gains from present risks. We trans
Ter our surplus capital to distant States to
grow moro cotton and sugar, or if it be re-
tained here, it is represented by bonds and
notes bearing seven per cent. interest. This
was the habit of our fathers, and any inno-,
walton upon long established usage or theo-
ry is resisted-hence reforms of old habits
prove great labor to the reformer. 1t is
time that it should commence. Individual
and State interests require us to take 'new
latitude and departure" The market for
agricultural labor stagnates under supera-
bundant supply, the market for agricultural
capital is satiated and there is active de-
mand tor manufacturing labor and capital,
wise political economy teaches the neccs-
sity OF their equalization.
When our citizens shall have embarked
their capital in manufactures and machinery,
our State will rapidly fill up with artisans
and mechanics, without whose presence and
labor, believe, no interest, even agricultu-
raj, can reach the maximum prosperity to
which it is capable of ascending.
The idea was once prevalent with wrong
headed people that manual and mechanical
labor was inconsistent with intelligence, gen
tility and dignity of character. Most hap
PLY such an absurd sentiment is exploded
in the minds of all sensible men and wo-
men. Labor is the tax upon all animated
existence for its preservation. The AM, the
reptile, the beasts Of the field and the fowls
of the air, all toll for food. Man, the mas
ter of them all, endowed with intellect, and
created with appetites and desires to exer-
else and develope his capaeious faculties, is
bound also to labor, and to labor by the ON
nipotent fat Of Jehovah. When our COM
mon progenitor was expelled from the green
bowers of Eden, it was under an angered
though just sentence that "in the sweat of
thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou re-
turn unto the ground" Henceforward the
spontaneous productions of the earth failed
to sustain man. Can labor be disreputablc
since its requirements are universal and its
necessities of Divineorigin?
The progress Of civilization is constantly
multiplying and expanding the demands
upon labor,2a the judicious means for in
creasing its products, have engaged the
thought and employed the invention of the
wisest'a and best men in every age. Men are
entitledto that respect and consideration
from the community, which their moral
worth, intelligence and usefulness Justly In
spire, without regard to the occupation pur-
sued. The lawyer and physician labor;
and oftentimes the foetid ar of dark dun
geon, or the nauseating odor Of sick room,
is more repugnant to the senses and sensi.
bilities than any which the forge or machine
shop emits. The educated youth who mas
ters one or more branches Of the mechanic
arts, by study and application, has person,
81 independence and a prospect for the sfu:
ture, to be envied by the brother who hai
chosen 9. learned profession. That Eiis an er;
roneonssp sspnblic opinion which gives to pfotes.
sienatmehs rank and position sofs soc;a AND
|intellecaahl superiority over Sothsf osccnps;
Aona. The exclusive :bnsinesss 3 81 pfSs sessioil.