The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-11
Texas.


CONDITION OF PLANrERs-ADv1cE TO THEM.
The editor Of tho San Antonio Herald,
VINO Is oIi d Trip, thus writes from Victoria,
ters Of the State, their present condition,
their prospects and their duty:
regret to say that have not found the
people down here as hopeful Of prosperity
In the future as I had expected. All the
way on tho route from San Antonio to this
place, 1 made it a special point to inquire
OF farmers, planters, stock-raisers aud
house-keepers, how their former servants
were getting along in the discharge Of
their duties as laborers? In some few in
stances learned they were doing very we'll,
as well as could be reasonably expected;
but in majority OF cases, and more es-
pecially as approached the coast, did
hear almost constantly complaints OF lack
Of good faith on the part Of the negroes in
the observance Of conditions Of their con-
ing were among the principal crimes
charged against them. To oppose this,
the people at present have no remedv or
At least they feel that they have none, out
side of an appeal to the military to arrest
the negro and return him to his place Of
residence, whore he can be made to comply
with his conditions OF the contract.
There is much cotton now suffering to be
picked, which is certain to be wasted for
the want Of hands to pick it out. The ne
groes flock to the towns and ask for light
work. by the job or by the day, seemingly
from starving, and that il all. Now some
remedy must be provided, or else the in
dustry which has heretofore supplied ths
country with commerce and prosperity will
vanish like the mist before the rays Of the
morning sun; and, instead Of beholding
the snowy fleeced cotton stretching away
in broad fields Of magnificent proportions,
with corn and other cereals, the traveller
from the North and from Europe will only
behold q few scanty acres of such bread
stuffs as are necessary for the maintenance
OF the white family, and produced solely by
the labor Of its head.
This is no fiction. It is q truth patent
to the observation Of every candid mind.
Is there no help for it? 1 believe there is
The remedy il in the hands OF tho people,
entitled to vote, and elect rulers who havo
the sense, the maniness and the courage
and tho honesty necessary to pass such
organic and legislative cnactmcnts as will
best adapt the State to the changed condi-
ton OF the labor system of the South.
This should be done Immediately, or my
word for it, the next cotton crop Of Texas
will not be one-fourth Of the present. Let
the people be prompt in the discharge Of
their duty and if for any selfish motives
those who represent the Government fail
on their part, the blamo will attach where
It is certain that the General Govern
ment has deemed it wise and prudent to
abolish slavery as result Of the war, still
it is no part Of the policy Of the Govern
mont to destroy the industry Of the South
On the contrary, the Administration at
Washington hopes that the South will be
more prosperous and produce more under
system OF FREQ than slave labor. This
hope may be realized yet, vain as it ap-
pears to the minds Of most persons at first
blush; but it requires many important
| changes, which will adapt Texas to the
new order OF things, and which will render
free labor available to the command of
capitalists the same as slave labor has
been heretofore. The negro cannot and
will not be permitted to live in our midst
without work, constant, honest, faithful
work, the same as white people are COM
PEELED to render for stipulated wages.
II experience should prove, as it has done
in majority of cases so far, that he has
neither the intelligence nor the disposition
to do this, then the Legislature will have
to pass stringent vagract act, and wher-
ever and whenever he is found without
honest employment and home, with no
visible means Of support, arrest him as
vagrant and compel him to work the same
as any other criminal, upon the public
works or in the penitentiary. I do not
argue in favor of any expressions to be
imposed upon him, but as he is made the
equal of the white man in the enjoyment of
personal rights, so let him receive the
punishment due for the viola ton of his
contracts which he has voluntarily entered
into.
cannot go into the ninuti;n Of plan to
effect this object, but your representatives
in the next Legislature can and no doubl
will. I have dwelt upon this subject some
what at length, but have done so for the
laudable purpose OF encouraging our agri-
cultural people upon whom ths real wealth
Of the 'untry so much depends. dislike to
see their hitherto prosperous and beautiful
plantations and farms growing up i'll wild
weeds and tall grass. I believe there is a
citizens everywhere desire it. The Co
vernment desires it, and l may add that
believe it is bound to come sooner or later,
in one shape Or another.
1t requires the right spirit, the right
temper Of mind, and Q proper action ON the