The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-06-12
LABOR IN VIRGINIA.

The labor question in Virginia is very far
from being settled. The result, however SO far
az expe1ience has developed it, is different from
what was generally anticipated, showing the
inability of the wisest to determine with any
accuracy the results of untried experiments.
When the slaves were first emancipated there
was prevalent idea, originating perhaps, at the
North. that free white labor would be at once
introduced and that one white man could do as
much work as two freedmen. But from actual
exneriment thus far, although the freedman has
not generally worked well as the slave, be has
done better in Virginia than the foreign white
laborer. The first mistake should rather teach
us caution, than lead to adopt hastily the op-
,oste conclusion, that'i in future the South
mpst RELY altogether on the freedmen for farm
labor. The former owner aud the former slave
understood each other. The freedman under
stands the mode of cultivation of the staple
cro,s of the State he on the farm and
without employment. 1t was wise to give him
a trial. He is now doing pretty well but one
wear does not settle the question. He may not
do as we'll, or he may do still better, in future.
All the effects of his emancipation upon his
character as a laborer, cannot be developed 10
one year.
AS to foreign white labor, it may do better
in the progress of time. Great Innovations
not 'eas ly and suddenly effected upon the fixed
business pursuits Of life. The national tastes,
habits and customs of the European population,
differ from ours and When the foreign immi
grant laborer FIRST reaches here, his situation is
very trying one. If upacquainted with the
language of our people, the greatest sources OF
sympathy and of assimilation is cut of. TO use
the language of some Swedish laborers who left
farm after three of four months "the country
was too lonesome for them" They prefer en-
ployment in the towns where they meet more
of their own country people, They are awkward
and unskiltu in cultivating the crops of the
country. They unaccustomed to the fare,
mode Of working, and manner of living, of the
Southern people: They miss their ale and beer,
and rye bread and other things that custom has
made essential to their comfort. They feel the
want Of the precise kind of church. worship and
church society they have been used to. We
conclude, then, that the introduction of white
foreign labor here will be gradual. and in pro-
portion as the obstacles adverted to are removed.
1t would seem to be most judicious and promis-
ing, as first effort, to introduce immigrant
population of small farmers, and settle them in
sufficient proximity to afford society for each
other, at least to a considerable extent. Such
quasi colonies would have the effect of drawing
others from the old countries, and day laborers
would then be induced to come and remain sat
isGcd when placed in the vicinity of their own
people.
1t would be desirable that immigrant farmers
or day laborers should entertain the same gen.
eral religious belief that is held in this State.
Protestant Germans, Scotchmen, Englishmen,
Swedes, Swiss and Scotch Irish, would, in this
view, he preferable. We make the remark 10
no intolerance to other religonists, but only
because the Immigrants would be more pleasant
ly situated for themselves, and would sooner in
termarry, and become identified, with the native
population.
In looking at the labor and am mi grafton ques-
ton in the light Of our present surroundings,
we may safely infer that our production will be
less uniform than formerly, and greater variety
of crops will be cultivated A greater number
of our white native population will engage in
field labor than in past times. The free blacks,
for some time to come, will, perhaps, perform
most Of the farm labor of the State, while for
eign immigrant labor will be gradually intro
duced, and many immigrant small farmers will,
perhaps, work farms Of their own.
We have made these suggestions to forestall
impatient or hasty conclusions, against the en-
ployment of white labor or, in fact, against any
system until it is fairly tried. We must be OBJ
servant, and keep our minds open to the force
of developments, and the teachings of political
experience. Political considerations. too, min
gle with the economical question: and render it
very expedient to increase our population by the
laborers from the old countries Richmond
Enquirer.
he Oath of Nav