Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-11-22
A Touching Appeal.


We find in the Lynchburg Virginian ofthc
10th, an appeal from a number Of slaves to
their former masters for aid to enable them
to crnigrste to Liberia in Africa. The Vir-
ginian vonches for them as respectable men,
and worthy of any help that may be exten
>ded to them:
~ LyscHBUEc, Oct. II, 1865.
To our Former Masters:
We, a portion of your former slaves, have
formed ourselves into society, known as the
African Emigration Society, for the sole pur-
pose OF migrating to Liberia, on the west
coast of Africa, to convey the light ana civil
-izaton that we have received here, even in a
state of slavery, to our heather brethren On
that benightcd and long-ncglected continent.
We expect to leave this city on the lst Of
November next for our fa,herland and leave
you all for no reason but the one above men
toned; none Of us will carry with us the
'prejudices and ill-wil that might arise from
,our. being held in bondage by You, as your
slaves. We know that you have been Our
best friends. and we feel it now the more,
though we are free. You all know the pecu-
liar situation the termination of the late war
has left us in, so, therefofc, we call upon you
to aid US il our enterprise. We know your
generous and sympathetic hearts will not let
you stand aloof from US in our endeavors to
do good for ourselves ana people. Some Of
US are capable of conveying ideas of the me-
chanic arts; some can unfold to them, in our
poor way, the marvellous light of the gospel,
aud point the way to God. We arc not 60.
ing to try to elevate the people of Liberia,
because, from what we can learn, they are
far our superiors in intelligence, wealth and
learning, but Africa generally. Some of us
have good common education which We
think will be of value to those who have no
art. You know we are very poor; the small
lest sums you can afford to contribute to our
scheme will be very acceptable to US. We
call upon you because we know the kind and
generous impulses of Jour hearts, and you,
on the other hand, know our situation and
wants. Give us, OF the abundance of your
wealth, a small sum, and we believe that you
will be rewarded by Him who says, "sHe
that giyeth to the poor lcndeth to the Lord.
We think this will be our last request from
4 8
your hands, SO join and help us in our efforts
to do good to our race.
Weare over your friends and obi sery'ts
The Louisville Journal, urging the impor,
tance Of producing q large cotton crop next
season, advises that the negroes should be
made to work, ifthey will not work voluntarily
or as last resort, white labor should be OBJ
aimed on the best terms possible. The Jour
nal says: .s-s..{
'1," The present crop inthe South will amour
to little, but next year a great effort ought Il
be made to raise q large crop. Prices for
year or two to come, at least, are likely tt
rule high, probably not much less than fort,
cents: Now, if four million bales could b
raised during 1866 it would amount, at tina
price, to the enormous sum OF $64O,O 00C
or about one-fourth ofour national debt.
"This simple statement is sufficient t
show of what Importance great crop Of. cot
ton next year will be both to the individua
wealth Of the country. and TO the Govern
lnent in the payment of the national aebt
Such . crop would send new life and actirit
through every channel of business from th
Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.