The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-01-21

Iuli authority for their future regulation.
We can depend upon the laws for the black
mans protection, but am satisfied that is
not enough Like yourselves, have seen
free negroes all my life, and have always
pltled them, and so have our servants.
These have had always the protection OF
the law, but nothing more. We cannot
allow these old servants to sink to their
level. the country cannot afford many
paupers. The life they have always led
around our plantations, living Oh scraps,
is just the samc as that of the blacks on
the islands on our coast, and are depcn-
dents upon charity; We must do some
thing better than that and we can do it.
Much has been promised the blacks from
the wonderful schools and liberal wages,
which they abuse us for having always
denied them. l am prepared to prove that
on our coast. where the Northern system
mas been III operation for four years, the
Mhoie business Is a complete failure. The
United States Government is getting weary
OF the heavy drafts made upon it's Treasury
Tor the support of the freedmen, and the
people will not long submit to it, All this
IS the consequence of their bad system
ruinous to both whites and blacks.
AT such time as this, l cannot enter into
the details OF all | would propose to insure
total change In our management up here
and which l am confident will prove entire
~ different Ill its results. and that our SER
wants will prosper equally with ourselves,
and VIII never depend upon the charity of
the North, or be included in begging
letter for their blankets by any United
States officer. They can afford to pay for
their teaching out of their own earnings,
and in fact to provide themselves with most
OF the comforts Of life
In this part OF the South the climate is
favorable to that king of staples, cotton: and
we can afford to pay higher wages for our
field labor than anywhere North of U.S. We
should decide upon some plan which will
not only satisfy, but will prove attractive.
We will find this belt of cotton-land going
across the Southern States. from East to
West, will serve as a resting place to those
blacks who must, sooner or later, move
from the States North of us. They cannot
stay where they are now, and they must
come South. We will have Il plentiful
supply of labor, and these will be the emil
grants who will be worth the money Let
us get ready for them, by first gainiAg the
confidence of those around us. l believe
II we can only get back the right to self
government, and give a1hcarty farewell to
those friends of ours i'll blue coats, who are
as polite as we can expect after the five
years of worry and trouble we have given
them, we have splendid prospect before
us, and our success will refute every SLAM
der which we have so patiently endured all
our lives.
L confess 1 am somewhat afraid of the
competition offered by the Western cour-
try. The history of emigration shows q
direct course towards the most productive
lands; and there lies our greatest danger.
The black race will form no exception to
the case. Depend upon it, it is for our
interest to arrange our system of labor as
attractive to him as possible, and thls
induce him to remain with rs.
Pay good wages. Be kind as ever to
him. Protect him against all wrong and
injustice; Gain his confidence and graft
tudc. Attach him not only to the white
race, but above all things attach him to
the soil; and therein consists the, most
essential requisite for our success. All is
now uncertain; and what is known on the
subject of free-black labor, would deny all
hope of success. Other countries might
afford to fail. We certainly cannot. The
demand for our products, from this vast,
increasing country alone must be met.'
They are all deeply Interested in our
success. The want of cotton affects our
whole people. You sec the effects in the
prices of every article yOa buv,> wlSGl for
the absence of cottcs, are now mRe than
double the price paid before the war. You
cannot cannot, long contlnnf to pay such at such
rules, all this will conc right.
In starting a new system like this, we
must expect to find difficulties. We must
be prepared to meet them, and, like wise
men, examine and apply the remedy as
soon as possible.
In my opinion, our greatest difficulty in
engaging the labor Of the blacks and of
educating and improving them, will be
found in their unwillingness to remain
with us. There is no enmity between US !;
but the separation is complete, and they
obey powerful instinct in desiring to live
apart. Hence comes their earnest wish
and universal appeal for land. From
Northern Virginia to Texas the cry is still
the same. To us this may seem unreason-
able and cXtravagant. But I think can
explain better than our blacks themselves
| how to intorDret this feelinp as thew a ra
hardly aware what prompts this strong
desire.
1 believe it is simply their wish for a
home. Some spot where they can enjoy
the freedom which such place can alone
afford. They wish to live to themselves.
They viii. work for us, but they must hav.
their own society to be independent of all
supervision Of the whites. And it W.,
perhaps be found to our interest to all "
them this innocent indulgence. This is
easily within our reach, by allowing
each family to have the use of few acres
of our land as part of the hire yearly OF
every male member Of that family. You
will find great advantage to both parties
by such an arrangement. To them facili-
ties will be afforded for their churches and
schools to be directed solely by themselves
And to us the right of Instantly eiectine
the entire family in cases of breach oi
: contract, by which their interest in the
crop on their land will be forfeited, viii
prove the strongest check upon the laborel
and the most severe punishment for seri.
Gus misconduct. This must always con.
| Stfnta the pnatiy oil ~