The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1865-12-14

negro TO testify in all cases where his
rights of person and property are in
volved.
The labor of every negro in tho State
is needed, if not to till the soil, in some
other useful cmploymcnt-for the culture
of cotton and rice; and, in all menial oc-
cupations, it is very doubtful whether any
laborers in this country OF in Europe can
supply his place. His long and thorough
training in those employments give him a
certain skill and aptitude which stranger
can only obtain by experience. 1t is,
therefore, of the first Importance that
such policy should bo adopted as will
enable the farmers and planters to employ
tho negro, and that he should romain
cheerful and contonted.
But there is another consideration
prompting US to legislato humanely and
justly for the negro. Hc has been born
and reared among us, and while he has,
unfortunately, qualities that stamp his in
fcriority TO the white man, he possesses
others that invite our respect. AS class,
during tho war, their loyalty to their
owners and to society was worthy of the
highest commentator. In no single in
stance, even whcrc the slave population
prcpondeiated ovor the whites as an hun
drcd to one, was there an outbreak or in
surrection. With full knowledge on
their part of the nature of the contest,
and the deep personal interest they had
in It's issue, is it not wonderful that they
quietly pursued their labor, and mainly
produced the supplies that fed our armies?
IF there be reason to complain that tho
negro has been cmancipated, in dcroga-
tion of the right and interest of the own
CT, such complaint cannot be lodged
against him; whatever ofill feeling ox-
lists in the minds of former owners for the
present state of affairs, it is not just that
it should be visited on him. Interest and
humanity require us to treat him kindly,
and to elevate him, morally and intcllcc-
tually; it will make him better laborcr,
neighbor and man. Suddenly relieved
from tho restraints of the servile condi-
ton in which he was born and reared,
his ignorance can excite no surprise; nor
can VIC hope that he will eschcw vice and
crime If ho is to live in our midst, mono
arc so deeply interested in enlightening
and elcvating him as ourselves.
The Constitution of the United States
recognized property in slaves. and an ap-
preparation was made by Congress 10 in
dcmnify slave owners, in the District Of
Columbia, when slavcry was abolished
there in 1861. l therefore cherish the
hope that Congress will, as soon as the
public debt is provided for, mako some
just and equitable arrangement to mako
the citizens of tho South some conpcnsa-
ton for the slaves manumittcd by the
United States authorities.
The pursuits Of South Carolina have
not heretofore been sufficiently diversified.
a grculturc was the great business of the
State. The mechanic, the manufacturer,
and the artisan have not been encouraged
to migrate hither, and the native popula-
ton have not embarked in thcsc employ
mcnts. The result has been that most of
the proceeds of the two great staple crops
cotton and rice-havc been expended
without the limits Of the State, in pur-
chasing such necessary articles as should
have boon fabricated or manufactured
within our borders.
Every facility and encouragement should
be given by the State Government and by
the people, to immigrants from the North
aud from Europe, SO that this great dof-
cheney in skilled labor may, at an carly
day, bo supplied. Under our former sys-
tcm of labor, immigration was discoun-
tonanccd from an apprehension that the
immigrants, when they located in the
country, would prove hostile and danger
Gus to tho institution Of slavery from
want of knowledge and sympathy in it.
Tho great change in the condition of the
negroes has removed this objection, and
the material prosperity Of the State i'm
pcrativcly demands q great increase Of
agricultural and skilled mechanical labor.
The prcsentis is most anspcious time
for ombarking in manufacturing pursuits.
The high tariff which is likely to be con-
tinued for many years without material
reduction, promises such protection to
liz ;n+arost as will nnahle eycrv Lranch