The Columbia daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-06-09
Labor.

munlty, so does the prosperity ana happl-
ness Of the di fferent States and sections of
the Union constitute that Of the nation.
All that can be comprehended from the
word prosperity. in the State of Georgia,
,s built from and depends on lis planting
interest When that fails, every other
interest, whether mechanical or mauufac.
turing, drcops and dies as the tree whose
roc have been destroyed.
The sudden change in the status of the
negro, who has been and will for wears
continue to be our main reliance for labor,
has destroyed, at one blow, the fortunes OF
our people, and this change taking place
in the most critical period of the present
crop, while the country lies wasted and
impoverished. causes many to look with
deepest gloom on our future, paralyzing
their energies. There is great need for
wise, conservative legislation. to prevent
for the present the boon Of freedom to the
black from being q curse to himself and to
the country.
The conditions under which he has here.
totore labored for his own support and the
benefit of mankind are changed; but this
is all. His ability to still labor is not de.
stroyed, and necessity. the sternest of
masters with laws to punish vagrancv.
will compel him to d" So Heretofore, in
Georgia and the cotton States, there was
no antagonism between labor and capital.
The planter owned his laborers and took
care of and protected that species Of pro
perty with more care than he bestowed on
other Investments; and the labor of the
State being owned by those who welded
it. there was no competition between la.
borers. Now the union between capital
aud labor is severed, and an ire presslb!e
conflict between them commences Capi-
tai will take care of its own interest. re.
gardless of the health of the employees,
and those negroes who become intirms or
diseased, or will not labor, will be thrown
as paupers on the community.
This sudden freedom has Il lied their un.
tutored minds with strange feelings and
wonderful ideas MS to the benefits liberty
confers. They cannot comprehend how SO
many soldiers of q great nation have
made war for four Years to free them and
yet compel them to work. Some of them
believe that liberty means no more work
and plenty to eat and wear. Others there
are who profess willingness to work, but
demand wages that no employer can give,
and much higher than were paid educated
mechanics OF Ang Saxon blood in pros.
Porous days gone cv. We can veil under
stand their feelings of joy, wonder and
fear. and forgive the temporary indisposi-
ton to labor under their combined eno.
tlons. We would counsel to, oearance on
the part OF their former masters. ior time
Will soon teach them that freedom has its
duties anc penalties Us We'll rs servliude
ana that they must now work or sturye:
mat hereafter they cannot expect the same
care and attention bestowed upon them
when sick or old as they formerly re-
ceived, unless 10y their lailhuiness they
merit 1t. Those who have such iutla.ed
ideas about wages and who generally live
in cities and have had easy lives as wait
ing boys, porters, &c, will soon find out
that white men will push them out, and
the law will force. them TO work on plan
tations IN preference to allowing them to
lead vagrant life.
lhere are many grave questions con-
nected with this change which we hope
will be calmly considered by the authori.
ties; Tor on their decision not only does
the prosperity OF these Southern States
depend. but whether the victory achieved
1or the Union shall be n fruitful one
adding to The glory and renown of the
nauon-or one that will prove a burden.
Already does serious evil threaten us by
the large and increasing numbers of ne
groes IN this and other cities out of en-
ploymcnt. who must either beg or steal to
sustain lie. Soon disease will snrcad
among them, and the country already
burdeneo be farther taxed for their sup
port.
The planters, for the public as we'll as
their own good, should use every means TO
induce their laborers to remain until the
present crop is secured, and we respect
iuily suggest to the commander of the
post the policy of requiring every negro
coming to the city to be registered: and
allowing them reasonable time to secure
work, failing in which and still remaining
here, to send them either to the planta.
TONS on the coast or to labor on the rail
roads, whose early completion would con-
Ter many benefits on the whole community