The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-11-27

want of capital to open them up, and the
means of an cTpediEous and chtup trans.
porsation to our markets. There are many
f1he water powers distributed over the mid
pie and northern portion of our State, which
would be well adapted to the manufacturing.
milling and mechanical department of in
du>try: but are now lying idle for the want
of fcapi'al, and Gregg, a Melee, Sloane,
II G'bbcs, and Il host OF other practical men
III our State, to develop their great powers.
Then again, there are our great lines of
D., railroads, extending from the scaL al TO
tho mountains, and branching off into var-
ous sections OF the State. These come not
properly under the hcal of resources. but
they are the Archimedcan leader of the
present age. and have done more towards
developing the resources Of our State, than
all other efforts hitherto made by the people
! or State. These, then, are the trtie and
substantial resources OF our State, and uron
their development depend the future l,appi-
ness OF our people, and our l,oliGcal eguai-
! tty iM or ont of The Union.
The question then that addresses itself
with peculiar force TO each member Of your
Association. an'l to every true lover of his
country is, how shall these resources he de-
veloped? My answer is, by education o,'
the masses, " Moro~gh rrtorn. IN or pycs.
ent mote Of f"g'itnlturc and cconomy, n, Il
"prortr MrtSi"m Of orr hbor and ca, iu,.
/ History, and even ou o. crv,i,
teacher ,nat no reformation, either in politics
| or rcIlgion-tlat no advancement, either in
t &c arts or sciences ever been accom-.
pushed III day, Il month, or year. |,
has required years ofintensc study anu un-
t'ring industry Of master minds TO digest
an prepare the proper plans OF operations.
1T has required time to arouse the masses,
and bring their minds to bear upon the sub
ject, for them to understand the necessity of
The work and comprehend its length aud
breadth, heightlI AMI depth, before they can
move forward with force and power. As it
has bee" in all ages with politics aud re-
iiSlon, So It Is now in agriculture and all
: Tic departments OF industry. Patient study,
cacrgy and perseverance have overcome
mountains OF difficulties. Tie glorious en-
ample ofthe sons OF Old Virginia-witl, Il
futln lis their leader, aru,lsi,,y themselves
thirty years ago from their supinencss-re-
claiming their Impoverished lalIs-dcveop.
ing the hidden resources OF tie S,atc-di-
'crsityIng licr labor aud capital, and placing
Their State III her present prosperous and in
dependent position, should ciiecr us on TO
this noble and patriotic work. Our people,
am proud TO say, from the many evidcn-
ceS, have seen i'll various sections OF the
State, arc fully alive to tho Necessity Of a
reformation i'll agriculture, and in our man.
utncturlny and mechanical departments Of
industry. All they want now to carry on
this great work So earnestly and nobly be-
gun, Is more light" aud an Edmund l;uflin
10 guide and direct their energies. aspire
not to that distinguished post, Of cnligllcn-
lnS and directing the energies Of our people,
but simply as II co-laborcr III this great
work, 10 contribute the result Of my oLscr-
walton and experience, and The conclusions to
which have arrived upon this important
subject.
Bctore we can carry oul successfully this
great work OF reformation, we must prepare
the minds OF the people by IL system Of
Popu/ar educotioa. Iiut aim met at the
threshold with the question, lis it necessary
that the t;'rmcrs-tl,at the tilcrs of the soil
should know as much rs other people 2"
10 prove that it is ncccsrary to an imtclli-
gent mind, would seem. 10 bc :. work of
supererr"gation; Lut there are many per-
sons i'll this State who do not admit the me-
. ccss'ty--belieying tina, too much tumpcring
, with TIC masses, might cause them TO rise
IN the majesty OF their strength aud break
over the old established land mark usarcs
! and customs. X have 10 fears OF IN educa-
ted people breaking over ''olu land marks"
! customs and usages, if these land marks are
nln accordance with their advancement in
civilization. But if they are not in accord
apce with the wants Of the people and the
progress Of the age, let them be uproo,ed
and exploded, mud III their stead let s,lcl,
improvements be introduced, as will tend
to develop the power and encrgics of the
people. - - ae-s. .;c.,.,
maintain, tl,at.in proportion you cle-
vate the masses in the scale OF eduration, in
/ the same ratio will the resources Of the State
be developed. All will admit that it should
be ile first and great concern of the Stale
! to place the meaus of - good and substan-
tial. education within the reach of all her
people but low few Of our Legislators and
men OF learning have devoted their labor
and talents to tile digesling OF plan suiia-
Ole to the con,lition and wants Of the people.
1t IS true, that there is an ktilstou, q Thorn.
we'll and Memininger in our midst, wIie
have investigated the subject with zeafnDd
ability, but their. plans and schemes ,sl,av.
thne aud sgiiu been rejected by YOU'D s9eSis-
lators, Tor tlie want-of II lforGisslI investiva-
! ton. trust, however, tllat the day is now
dawniig upon ns, @iten the State will
turn her allsnllon With EhaId satsass pess
g tps snsleet, laying, :sasils sai ;ssStianal