The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-11-26

~ 'o' wi o"S'a aHu Poilticai
benefit, and for their improvement in morals
and religion. From handful imported
two hundred years ago, they have increased
under our benign system Of treatment. TO
over four millions. They have grown up,
around and with US; they have increase.,
with our strength and is part Of our do
mestic system. 1t forms the very basis Of
our wealth; no other form Of labor can be
substituted in its stead, an,l produce the sa,us
quantity Of cotton, rice sugar and tobacco
that is now produced in the Slave States.
Neither the European or Asiatic could Ia.
Tor upon our plantations. They would Pc.
ri>h 10y the thousand, and our lands would
become bowling wilderness.
History tells us that the only covernnsn.
under which the negro has ever made any
improvement in mind, morals and religion.
and The only govesnmcn, under which he
has led conte"ted and happy lie, is under
the government and dominion Of tho white
races. But there are some sicAiy scn.inca.
fat'sts at the North, who arc not only ere.
Judging the justice Of Heaven but would
fa'n re create the universe, in order to give
the negro Utopian happiness, which they
deny to their aohite Slaves and free negroes,
who are now going about their streets beg.
g'"g for bread and clothing! We say to
the North, "pluck the beam out of thine own
eye" and provide for Your own slaves. Wo
who have been raised up with tho ins,i,u-
ton from our childhood, ARE its hest judges,
an'i upon our shoulders rests the response
bility. We are satisfied that it is here ly
Divine appointment, and palsied be tim,
arm that dare nttcmp, to alter tile relation
of master and slave.
With these facts, then, before us, it be.
comes each and every one of us, t. inquire
what arc the best means of increasing and
improving the condition of OUT slaves. NV
answer is, to pay more attention to the hy.
gene operations Of our plantations. Select
healthy locations for your negro houses,
with plenty OF pure water convenient. Tear
down, as soon as possible, your log cabins
and in their stead erect framed buildings
two feet, at least, above the ground, and
have them we'll ventilated. White-wash
every spring with lime, and have cleaning
up once week during the summer and fall
months. Above all, have them well cloth
cd ond fed, and you will have willing minds
and strong muscles to execute the heaviest
task. This will be worth more to you than
all the calomel and quinine in the apotle-
cary's store.
After you have provided for the comfort
and health of your negroes your next and
highest duty is to provide for their moral
md religious instruction. They are, it is
true, your interiors in mind and character.
and are dependent upon you for all the COM
forts and happiness they enjoy. But they
havo soul to be saved or lost, and It is
your duty, as know it will lie your pleas.
ure, to have "Christ and Him cruciicd"
preached unto them. If you have not
churches convenient, erect on your planta.
ito" chapel, and if you are not able, pc.
your "eigl'bors to unite with you in erecting
house. where you and your neighbors,
with your servants, can worship tho same
God. Do not, bescech you, send off your
negroes to worship as they do at the North,
by themselves. have known grca. mis-.
ch'et to have grown out of such meetings.
We have enemies in our midst in "slieen,s
cIothing," and it behooves us to be on our
guard. When We have done this, 1 believe
Gods blessings will rest upon US and the
institution. We will flourish like our own
green bay tree and bid defiunce 10 tho howl
'ngs OF our enemies at tile North.
In conclusion, gentlemen, allow mo to
tender you my most profound acknowledge
tnent Tor l'e honor you have conferred on me.
lhe work you have undertaken is worthy Of
every patriot and true lover of his State
10 improve the agricultural resources of
your State, to develope the hidden resouro-
es OF your mineral wealth, and to encourage
manufactures, and the mechanic arts is yo:r
high calling. THIS requires labor, perseyer.
a"ee and energy. It's not an affair of A
week, month oryear. but It is for life. You
may encounter difficulties. thrown in your
way by captious and disafected persons
you may fail for time 70 awaken the ener.
g'es OF our people to this grea. work,-y,ou
may fail TO get that co-opern,ion; a,sd spnport
which Is NECESSARY for your great underiak-