The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-18
THE WHITE LABOR QUESTION.

Agents for the Post IN New YORK ana BOSTON, SO ~rtt
THE WHITE LABOR QUESTION. .,.ai z
A great deal of talk is expended upon
the subject of the introduction of white
labor into the South to take the place of
negro labor, but from all present appear
ances, it is likely to end where it COM
menced, in talk-uo1 ct preferred nill.
The farmers in The South seem to have
imbibed ideas of free labor entirely erro.
neous. They imagine that in lorderto
do the same amount of work that was
performed under the old system by fifty
unwilling slaves, whose only pay. was
their rations and couple of common
suits of clothing during the year, it will
be necessary forthem to employ an equal
number of free laborers, and consequent
" that these free laborers should work
upon the same terms that their slaves
did. The argument is not good. One
free laborer, especially a white laborer,l
can be induced to do five times the
amount of work that was formerly done
by the slave; for, aside. from the fact that
he is liable to lose his place through la
illness or inattehtibn, or have lost time
deducted, the hope of recon1pense sweet
ems his toll; and, beside their wages
the industrious are ever looking forward
to reward oftheir labor in the shape of
increased compensation, and promotion
for good conduct and valuable services.
The slave had no such incentive to ip.i
dustry or extra exertion, and the cofise-
quence was that every i've managed TO
do about one good mans work. There
were few instances, it is true, where, unsi
der strict masters or overseers, this ratio
was slightly reduced, but they were few
and far between, SO far as it has been
proved by our experience. Ii h'ag saf
The planters have become SO welded
to their notions, that it is difficult to
convince theL4 that there is any other
solution to the problem but experience
will finally teach them the truth. They
all profess to want white labor, but are
frightened at the prices demanded for
it. Ten and fifteen dollars a month and
board, for farm hands, they think enorr.-:
nous, and declare they are unable to
pay such exofbitant prices; that the
expenses would consume the profits of
their farms, and nothing would be left,
even for the support of theig families.
ave see that they will have to go to
school, as well as their former slaves,
before they will be in fit condition to-
appreciate the new order Of things,
They must learn farming from the
Northern farmer, or giveit up entirely,
and go INTO some other business that
they understand better. How is it, we
will ask them, that. farmers in every
other portion of the civilized world be-
come wealthy. through the instrument
tality of free labor They have never
had any other kind Of labor, and, we
believe, have. generally managed to
make the business about as lucra f
tive, if not more so, than have the
people of the South, surrounded by
all the manifold blessings Of their
peculiar Institution. This has been
done by competitionlin labor. Whenit
commands a high price such a price is
given, and that is the laborer's opporl
tunity; but when there is no demand
then the employer has the advantage
and can make his own terms. lis ex-
actly like capital in that respect, and,
there is no other criterion by which to
Judge it. iflAIwants money very badly,
he will give B whatever reasonable
interest he may ask; but if A Dies not
have very pressing necessities for it, B
will press itupon him at low figure
TIA desires to secure his crop promptly
and several Of his neighbors are equally
DESTROYS of 1.-THE same thing, and labor ia,
scarce. of course he will enterinto compe-
tition with his neighbors, and by giving
the highest, prices secures the necessary
labor. This does not SEEM to be under
stood by our planters; but it is time they
should learn it, because by these rulesthe!
must in future govern their conduc
whether the labor be black .orawhite.
But to return. # our planters wan wan
white labor, they must be prepared +
enter into competition with the whole
world, in order to secure it. The emf
grants arriving in this country are bare are
" sufficient to supply the demand, an
they will certainly accept the best term
offered. The farmers i'll the westaaf
giving from fifteen to twenty-five doi Lan
and found for farm hands, and IL IS nc
probable they would choose to come !. =
this section Of the country and LABOR :, ie
less money, especially when we consloe
that the prevalent idea among people
this class isthat the climate is unheaith.
and the SUMMERS extremely hot, which
however erroneous it may be, ever ! h g
been, and perhaps for long time vii
prove barrier TO their prompt settle
ment among us,siunless extra induce
ments are offered. Thus we see that WI
have not only to compete with the far
mers of the North in order to procure la
bor, but to overcome prejudices agaihs