The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1865-08-22
Plnntntion Culturc-EcSro Tcnantry and
Farming.

ed in this State, and that the farming system
would become established IN its stead. Some of
our readers, we fear, arc disincned to the result,
and some question the process. They question
whether negroes can be brought together into q
community OF farmers; or, if so, whether they
be efficient and to be relied on for rents and duties
Of q well regulated community OF tenants. Por-
haps not. 1t is to be questioned whether they
are, in fact, competent to the Offices of selfgov
ernment. That is the very question to be tried
But if they have not the force Of character to make
good tenants, have they the force to become good
operatives on our estates? Does the one require
higher order Of enterprise ard talent than tho
other? We doubt if there be not error, OF if men
have thought mnturoy abou. this mattor. There
are but three forces sufficient to hold to the
sevcrities Of plantation life-thc force of slavery
OF starvation, and of contract. BY the first they
have been held to them in these Southern States the
West Indies, and BRAZIL by the second in India
China, and Egypt; and by the last, we believe, no
where yet upon the earth. We DO not say it can
not be done or may not, but We do say that the
discipline must be rigorous, the service severe,
and that the people who will voluntarily enter into
such discipline, perform such service, and stand
to the rcquisition of such life, under the mere
provisions OF contract to do so, must have
sensc of obligation and force OF character by no
and Scotch, perhaps-peopie more than commonly
sensible OF law-who might enter into such con-
tracts, if there were sufficient Inducements, and
perform them; but they will not be entered into
and performed by people indolent Or inert; any
thing would be preferable. And it may well hap
pen that negroes may be amply sufficient for the
humble serge of activity and character required
by tenant farmer, without the sterner qualities
necessary to sustain him, of his own votion to
tho hardest life in the world.
It is not contended he will not enter on such un-
dertaking that proprietors persist in the plan
tation system, a large proportion of the colored
population will not take employment. They can
have no option they must have employment of
some kind and if this be the only offered, they
must OF necessity accept it, but with the liberty of
action, of performing strictly the contract, of
taking the consequences It'll be feared they will
too often take the consoquences-tha every hour
In the day. every day in the week, to constant and
efficient labor, will be too much for their sense Of
convenience or of obligation. Such labor is the
necessary condition of successful planting opera
tions; it is doubtful whether the negro can ever
voluntarily perform it.
But may he not be competent to the less degree
of character and enterprise required by farm cul-
ture? In that there may be the necessity of times
for hard labor but it is not necessary it should be
sustained. There will be intervals Of relaxation;
frequent changes from one thing to another; the
entertainment resulting from the growth and de-
velopncnt of the matters he may have in hand
The varied wants of his pigs, poultry, stock corn
cotton, and potatoes, may induce him to the labors
necessary to supply them, without his being prick
ed to activity by sense of legal obligation This
is at least probable. In this way he may become
1aoo ototau
may become communities of tenants. Customs
prescriptions, and copy-hold rights, may become
established. They may well produce enough for
support and an excess for rent The proprietor
may be at hand to secure his income, preserve or
der, and exercise an intelligent supervision over
the affairs, external and internal, Of tho commu-
nifty. He may promote the prospects Of success
by judicious use of the capital required by the
common interest. What he shall receive will be so
much clear, without the risk for investment that
may never pay. IF the experiment succeed-if such
tenantry shalbe competent to the task-his invest
ment will be safe, his interest permanent; if it
ahall increase and extend his interest will advance.
The community may become village or a trading
town; pursuits may become varied; tenants may
acquire property; they may be in condition to pur-
chase the farms they have cultivated to bid and
compete for timber ways and water privileges;
fhoir wants may give value to many conditions Of
the estate now unconsidered; and it is quite pos
sible, therefore, that this system may result in
permanent prosperity to proprietors, very much
beyond anything they have yet had reason to hopc
for. : rtg l.r- u ....s-.r
All, of course, as we have said, depends upon the
negros capacity for ,self-direction. We will not
positively assert THAT he has such capacity we
speak in no spirit OF innovation we would not
urge our fellow:citizens to abandon modes OF life
sufficiently safe and satisfactory for any fields Of
experiment however attractive, upon which, of ne.
cessity, somo clement Of contingency must enter
with them But we speak to them now in no such
condition. Wo are on solid ground no longer, bui
ut sea, and a sea untried unknown to US at lenst
with the possibility of breakers all around, and
stunned and bewildered by the blow that set ui
adrift. In such condition he ia not necessarily
reckless specillator who proposes We should calm
ourselves, should look the prospect fairly in the
face, should study the situation, and not under
g blind impulse set to struggling back to the por
of our Departure without the reasonable hope tina
. will there find the state remaining which rem
dered it port Of safety Under such circunistan
it is notrequired OF US that the course we sug
gest shall DO perfectly right or successful! 1t il
enough that it shall be the best possible; enough
even, that it shall be better than any other con
tended for. This much, we think, must be conce
ded to that under consideration 1t gives tls NOR