The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-08
COLUMBIA.
Sunday Morning, April 8. 1885.
Direct Communication with Europe.

Direct Communication with Europe.
The New York Southern Exchange
notices the fact, that Congress has
been applied to assist in the estab-
lishment Of q line of steamers to ply
between Charleston and Liverpool
The Exchange says: 'sThe object
of the promoters is to establish a
regular line of mail steamers between
the Southern States and Great Bri-
tain, and also to promote emigration.
For this purpose they solicit sub
sidy from Congress and in return
guarantee to bring out to the South
ern States 5000 emigrants, able
bodied laborers and mechanics, an
nually."
Although we do not believe in the
principle, at any time, of asking Co.
vernment aid for private enterprise,
but more especially at this time, when
the radical majority in Congress
would be sure to refuse any appro-
priation to aid any South Carolina
enterprise, yet the proposition re-
ferred to is most important one,
not only rs regards the interests of
the Southern States, but in q national
point of view.
The Exchange remarks, very truly,
that in the rise and progress of trade
and commerce, much depends upon
rapid and certain postal communica-
ton. Hitherto, and at the present
time, all mercantile advices passing
between the commercial cities of the
Southern States and England and
France, had to be sent via New York
or Boston, and, consequently, there
is great loss of time, and, in pecu-
liar seasons, heavy loss in finan-
cial point of view. It is estimated
that, by this proposed line, Southern
merchants would receive their cor
respondence six days earlier than
they now receive it. By its means
also, they could obtain their Euro
pean correspondence more regularly,
and be thoroughly posted up on the
movements II cotton and other
Southern products, and be prepared
to take advantage of a rising or hold
ing back on a falli1g market in Inv
erpool, Manchester, &C., without
being obliged to receive their inteli-
gence secondhand from New York
or Boston.
This would certainly be great ad-
vantage, both to the mercantile and
agricultural interests of the Southern
States; but to the latter interest
the proposition to bring out labor
ers, at the rate of 5000 per annum,
is of the utmost importance. At
present, the great drawback to the
retrleval of our shattered fortunes is
not only the want, but the uncertain
ty of our labor, agricultural and arti-
zan. The experiment of depending
upon the labor of our former slaves
has yet to be fully tested, but in the
meantime, while that experiment is
going on, we must suffer from want
OF labor in both these departments of
industry.
Our cetemporary concludes that
If "the proposed line of communi-
cation between the Southern States
and Europe could effect no other
good than inducing u healthy emf
grafton from the over-crowded cities
and towns of the united kingdom,
would find constant and well-remu-
nerated employment on arrival South,
In developing the rich and inexhaust-
ible agricultural resources of that
portion of the United States, the cost
IN few years would &c repaid more
than tenfold.''
We would be glad to see this i'm
portant enterprise succeed but are
averse to the project of seeking Go
vernment aid. The Government. we
presume, would contract with the
Company for carrying the mails, but
we have no doubt that any other