The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-23
CH A RLES TON.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 2s, IS

. " IL "A III IL T. - ~ ~
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY %, 1867.
THE LESSONS OF 1866.
In our previous articles on the present system Of
labor wo discussed the subject in it's bearings upon
the freedmen. We showed that thcre is abundant
room in this State for all hor lsborers; plenty of
work and plenty Of provisions also; and that it was
our conviction that the negroes will do better to
main here, at or near their old homes, endeavor-
ing to contribute their quota to the restoration OF
the country to something Like its former prosperi-
ty, than to go to Flori1a or Texas under the inn
preston that they will there improve their conG-
ton; especially when they emigrate upon their own
account or under government auspices, which is
the same thing.
Lest our colorcd friends should think that we
have not their interests at heart, and only hold
these views because we noed their labor, we shall
quote witness, whose testimony will not be con-
sdered thus Interested. In recent number of the
New York Times, we find q letter from its Colum-
bia IS. CO. correspondent, atod January H. giving
On account OF General HowARD's recent visit to
that place. He says: 'The General has for several
days been visiting our colored people, and ascer-
tanning from personal observation their mode Of
living, habits and condition Tw" evenings $50
in the African Church, and made them grand
speech. His opinions arc regarded Us quite tenn
perate and conciiatory. He advised against their
going to other States, either westward or else
where, and took pains to explain to them the dis
advantages Of moving under any circumstances,
aud the uncertainties attending these efforts to
bettor their condition, by going to soil Of which
they did not understand the nature or the modes
Of cultivation. He urged them to be moral. in
dustrious and faithful to their contracts; to give
all possible attention to educating their children,
and in every way to elevate their social position as
much as possible" b.
These same vicws, adverse to the emigration Of
the freedmen, we have reason to believe are en-
tortained also by General ScoTT, the Commissioner
Of the Freedmnn's Bureau for this State, and By
every other man of prominence and Of candor, who
has had fair opportunity of becoming acquainted
with the nature, habits, character and wants Of
the freedmen living amongst us.
We stall now dismiss this part Of our subject
| and address ourselves to brief consideration Of
| the several plans and systems OF labor that were
| tried during the two years just PASSED.
Giving specified pro rata share of the crops,
in lieu Of wages, seems to have been the custom
most generallyin use throughout the South This
| for the obvious reason that after the universal
ruin -precipitated upon the South by the sudden
and disastrous close of long and disastrous
war-very few of the planters could command
sufficient capital, after procuring the most neces-
sary provisions, seeds, implements, working ami
mails, ETC., to warrant them in obGgating them
selves to pay monthly wages in money to their
laborers. There was no other plan!feasible at the
time, and hence this was generally followed It
WAS 80 again in 1856, comparatively few only being
able to procure the necessary capital to pay regu
Lar monthly wages.
Some worked their force nn1sse, as formeriy:
others {also working upon shares) thought it bet
ter to separate the laborers in squads or families
setting apart small farm, to be cultivated by
each. The experience Of planters varies according
to the circumstances Of each individual case. As
general thing, we believe the plan OF paving
monthly wages in money has proved most satisfac-
tory. In some cases the working on shares"
may have proved satisfactory; but if SO we have
never yet heard of them. IF there were no other
drawbacks IN the latter plan, there would ever re-
main the difficulty of keeping long and trouble
some accounts, and having division of the crop
at the end Of the year; which division, with sucb
persons as the majority Of negroes may be sup
posed to be, will always involve more or less Of
dispute. We may take it for granted, therefore,
that, as far the various experiments Of hired
negro labor have been fairly made, the plan Of
paying wages must be considered as the one hay
ing given the most satisfactory results to all
parties.
There Is, perhaps, more money in the country
now than there was year ago. but not enough to
allow OF general introduction Of the system last
named. Many of our far,1ers will therefore again
have to work on shares. They have the experience
Of two years, and should therefore now be able to
profit by it. There is, Of course, the same differ.
%bo FoJ1.r
other calling. The same qualifications are reoui-
site for success, industry vigilance, perseverance,
and economy. These he requires under all circun-
stances. II he is to have authority over others in
bis employment, he sLould have decision of char
acter be forbearing and conciliatory in his inter-
course with them, yet always assert disnifed
seli-respect. -
No rule can be given applicable to all cases, but
IS general thing. we believe it will be found best
70 put in" no larger crop than can be readily cnl
tlvated with the force in hand, and to plant
smaller quantity OF good or highlymanured land
rather than large number Of acres Of poor and
unproductiva soil. As between small farms and
large plantations We would give no advice; the for
ner suiting some and the latter others. Some
men can govern large kingdoms, others cannot
rule their own households. Each should, and
doubtless Will, pursue that course for which his ca
pacity and his means fit him, and which, We may
say, nature has marked out for him
few words in conclusion. Let an our farmers
and planters, and, indeed, al others who have oc-
easion to employ negro labor, ever bear in mind
the new duties and obligations upon them, in con-
sequence Of the changed relation Of the two races.
Let them be kind, and just to punctiliousness in ali
their dealings with tho reedmen-the more 30 on
account Of the ignorance Of the latter Lot each
practically show, by his dealings with his subordi
ra.s, that by industry, good behavior, and faith
ful compliance with their Obligations, they viii
q never fail to make comfortable support, and at
inc same time gain the esteem and good will OF
those whom they most desire should think well of
them. - 5#.s'T =
llsvRsTMENTs-Evns OF. INAor1oH.-The New
ioak 1o'''l ot Commences, while declaring its in
eolhSy 70 answer the questions Of numerous cor |
as to the best Investments for their
surplus capital, yet INDUCES some reflections and
suggestions on the subject which are yaluab,e