The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-11-09
MIGRATION TO THE SO UTR-T'HE POLICY
OF OUR PEOPLE


our people is n very common subject of remark
to those in other sections of the country. Suo-
cess is the criterion Of merit. Those who hare
lost the ability to enforce respect have no
natural right to complain that their actions
are not justly estimated; and the kid that
muddicd the stream below the wolf, in fabulous
antiquity, still comes in principle TO muddy it
again, wherever, even in human experience,
there is, irresponsible brute power to be mad
dcned by the act.
Of this VIC have an illustration in the con-
slant feeling of dissatisfaction existing at the
North by whatever may be done, or attempted
to be done, amongst us; and the New York
Times, few days since, takes us seriously to
task-frst for not encouraging immigration
to our section 8; and next, for our unamiable,
not to say diabolioal, conduct to the Northern
men who come to settle at tho South.
Now, that there are no we'll concerted mea-
sures TO encourage immigration to the South
is, perhaps, true, and it is to be regretted We
want population; and that it docs not come to
us, while it rolls in living billows upon the
Northwest, is a fact of which wo arc as dis
tinctly conscious as is the writer in the Times
himself, and one from which We have suffered
infinitely more than he has done. We have
suffered in the want of that stimulant to our
material interests, and in that accumulation of
political power thus resulting to that section,
| which has crushed us. But is it in our power
to prevent it? Can we make them come if
they do not want tot or make them want to
come when they are repelled by the conditions
we exhibit? They shun competition with
the negro for labor and subsistence. They
shrink from the fortunes Of country in
dustriously subjugated. They shun u place
where thoy must be depressed below their
natural level, that another people mny be ele-
waited upon theirs and can we obviate these
conditions? Can we extermnate the negroes.
that white foreigners may have place2 Can
we subvert oppression, md give to them the
assurance that coming here they may govern
themselves or if this be not possible, is there
any other measure which may be so we'll con-
Quoted as to crafty the tastes of critical
spectators? Can We disguise the facts, and
create illusions to attract them2 Practically,
wo may bring laborers here by giving them
greater inducements to come than they have
10 go elsewhere; and these we have not the
power TO offer. The citizens Of our country
are too completely without the capital, to start
enterprises in which foreigners can find en-
ploymont; and unless they can offer them en-
ployment, the people Of our country, of them
solves, can offer them no other inducement
adequate to bring them. A pleasant and seduo-
tive manner can have little effect upon a poo
plc who como abroad to bettor their condition
The only other inducements aro to be offered
by our lands. Thoy are attractive; they pre-
| sent many advantages; and, in oil conscience
they are cheap enough. The very article we
| speak Of mentions that they are selling oil over
tho South for prioos hardly nominal but if
they win not draw, can we make them do SO 2
1t is possible that, with very large capital in
the hands of m extensive and enterprisng
company, VIC hight be able TO import, in
spite of their ropugnanoe, body of emf
grants, but there is no dsposable capital at the
South to be expended upon that or any otncr
object. Without the ability to make further
investments than are necessary TO purchase
provision for tho laborcrs upon our places, we
are without the power to invest in O FOREIGN
population, and we arc constrained to 40
quiesee, therefore, with what emplacanoy wo
may, in the criticism of those comfortable and
oomplaoant spectators to whose pipings, if we
would, we cannot Dance
! II is said, however, that we do MT treat with
proprioty tho mon Of capital ant enterprise
who come amongst US. We are no.a prosper
GUS or joyous peoplc. We have little to make
us 80. We have little in the way Of enter
tainments or Inequalities to offer, md it is
possible that Northern men 6nd litts in our
society to attract thom. But we belize that
all who have como to this section of the South
will do US the justice To confess that the, have
been met fairly and frankly; that in theiibuoi-
ness relations, tho only ones those In prdccu-
ton of legitimate enterprise have cough to
establish, they have boen aA no disadyantxo
that thoy hsyo been 10 secure, in person nd
Fproperty-as froe from insult orinterfcSne,-