Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-12-14
PLAIN TALK.

; "The people of Eastern Virginia, are
like the remainder of the South, the poor
est population in the civilized world yet
though 1t sounds parodox, there is no
part Of the country in which intelligent
labor will more certainly ensure subsistence.
I've Will not enlarge upon the causes which
have brought our people to this condition
~eyery body knows what they are. We
maze gallant aght, and the sons Of the
Old Dominion displayed, on many hard
~ contested field, and through many pri-
vations, the nob!est qualities Of manhood.
!"When her army surrendered, the South
ern people lost in greater part the accumu.
lations of all past labor. We, in Virginia
especially, were brought down to the bed
rock Let US look fate in the face. Docs
not every considerate mind recognize the
fact, naked as we state it?
"It is idle to rely upon help from out.
side capital will not como here for TIE
purpose solely Of lifting us out of the mud !;
if it comes at all, it will como with tho
object to profit from our misery-to' buy
our lands at nominal price, or with the
expectation Of gains no. within the reach
of poverty such as ours.
"a sterner courage and higher intel'i-
gonce are now demanded from us than at
.any time in the past nor will anything but
resolute will se!f-denial and patient labor,
re.cue us IRON irre,rievable wrerclcdness
aid pauperism. Neither is there amy dis
grace in the general strait to which VIC are
reduced and 1t would be bu: common
sense to confess our impoverished condi;i>
tioa to the world and to ourselves.
''rhen let it not he said that we a,o in
tae condition of lie most miserable crea-
tire in the word-a broken down gentle
mnn who, without profession, and without
means of support, resorts to every con:emp.
tible expedient to g'a'i(y tastes and habits
that belonged to his former srosrer;y.-
What is appropriate TO one con'iiion ia r,';
Honestly suited to narrow estate; and
there is hardly n man among II, who ca"
'ueglect the retrencinens now NECESSARY.
There are some individuals who may hnv"
{ cUiie out IF tie War unsrn'hed ; and ;:
certain number were enriched thereby.
But The first class have claims upon them
smhiG!! they cannot ignore towards hel ping
the'!esa fortunate and the second class, for
sharae, if not for hunanity's sake, should
refrain from the display Of their i'll gotten
wealth.
'"1f patriotism required sclfdenal during
the war, self-interest demands it now and
every man who lives beyond his means Is
committing social crime. The working
capital of the community is pi,ifully small
and every cent beyond the supply of bare
-necessaries is requisite TO secure another
start. Never was tho adage go true, that "a
penny saved is a penny ma'le,' 1t would
be the very madness Of the hour to sacr-
flee present independence and the future
comfort of our families, in the vain at
tempt to keep up appearances. There is
degradation ;aexpressible in the folly Of
initiating the extravagance and luxury Of
our conquerers.
"These are homely lessons, but #c are
bound to take them to heart. Every man
and woman among us who realizes the
real condition Of our state will then have
Taken the sure step towards raising lis from
the slough, and may indulge the just hope
OF honorable independence.
"Means are at hand, too. The extent Of
our lands is far more than adequate 10
our population, as now constituted, and
circumstances permit selection as to lcca--
ton and patnrsl fertility. Forest and
stream furnish a great deal Of food spon-
taneously the labor at onr command is
in some sense cheaper than formerly. and
for time at least, will be quite as effect
i've. Neither are landowners embar
rased, as before, by the support of nume-
rous non producers. We have railroads
/. end other avenues to commerce, which are
valuable relics Of the past prosperity easy
p access to nnmerous mail kels, where we car
"'sefl everything we can rai'e.
,sscur lands are still our chief resource
norshould we lose the subsistence in grasp-
ing At 4he shadow. Outside OF. our grea
mineral resonrces-a yet, 80 little develop
ted--tIe"Old Dominion can MAINTAIN il
eouafo.tevesy industrious and thrifty son
her warscanssd bosom can still yield sus
~ stsasnee, b, the children whom nature ha
given her." " r.
REcERfj jB6s CURING MsAT.-To ON
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