New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-29

How one absurdity is sometimes swallowed up by
another is seen in the present somewhat extensive
movement for the importation OF labor into the Gull
States. The popular theory hitherto dogmaticslly
promulgated by Southern leaders was that white men
could not labor in the Southern States. Cotton sugar.
rice and tobacco could be cultivated successfully
"ony by niggers;" white men will rot like sheep
on a cotton plantation" nothing but niger and
a mule can stand the Southern sun''-these were thu
chief postuates Of the economists South. More
recently, Slavery being abolished, and the political
atmosphere changed, old truths " have persisted.
Now the "nigger" is utterly worthless. Cotton,
sugar, rice and tobacco cannot be made by FREQ
niggers." The whole economy of nature has, there
fore, suddenly changed The climate of the Cotton
States is the most delightful in the world, perfectly
heathful and most congenial to the white laborer
Thus, it would seem that truth may, through hate,
force itself where experience and common sense failed
to carry it. For the newspapers aud men who. lit
tie while ago. persistent in their abuse OF for;
eigners and Northern mudsills,' and main tanned an
effective opposition against the Introduction of white
and intelligent labor into the Cotton States, are now
the most Jealous advocates Of the wholesale importa
ton Of foreign aborers. r
Six months ago. it was insisted that ringers won't
work, and white men can't stand the climate" The
South was declared to be utterly ruined; and nothing
but the introduction of coolies, the deysement OF
some system of freed labor would again enable
the planters to resume operations. These theorists
have now tackled about The truth that labor, to be
valuable must be certain, has always been a funda-
mental axiom the world over but the planters in the
South are only just beginning to understand that II Is
possible to secure the certainty Of labor by other
means than shackles whipping-posts, bloOd-hounds
and ashes Labor protected in its civil rights by the
right of suffrage presented to the people of the
South as one of the accomplished facts of the times
as available and as practicable on the Southern plan
tation as on the Western farm in the Eastern fac
tory.
But the late Rebels must persist in their hatred
of the negro and this perverSe prejudice which pos
sesses and governs the whole class that essays TO
represent the South, blinds them to the PLAIN Short
practical road out of all their difficulties If the
negro proves himself an industrious laborer, he vii!
become a permanent citizen, clothed with all tho
rights privileges and immunties of citizenship; he
will become an active element in the politics OF tho
s,otos. mower in the land voter whose ballot
,riI determine elections This must be the logical
and irresistible result Of successful labor ~ tho
freedmen; therefore, he must not be allowed to sue
coed. lie must DO tempered with, defrauded OF law.
full wages forced to live short rations must be I'll
clad. education must he denied to his children and
religious instruction to himself and family; be must
be abused nsuted, driven from his home, beaten ana
inhumany treated until endurance becomes impcs''-
HE that when forced in selfprotection TO resistance
he NAV be shot All this to prove that freedmen cannot
ho relied on TO cultivate the soil in the Cotton States
They must then be superseded by white labor and
driveu from the country. They IL become extinct
like the Indians"
Societies have already been organized in the Cotton
states for the importation Of laborers, who may in tme
bscome "yoters identified with Southern intsras's.'