The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-07-16
ON THE WING.
EMIGRATION.


D.p11NaroN &. c.. July 1871 was somewhat
surprised, amid the supposed satisfactory
hygyienic condition Of this part OF the State, 70
find two forms of fevers prevailing. here, as yet
sporadic, but bidding fair in time to assume an
epidemic type By seeming, not however alto
pether unaccountable freak of nature one OF these
feyers has attacked the whites exclusively, and the
other is found only among negroes. L think both
forms would yield readily to judicous advice and
mild treatment. But forgot to name these dis
eases. Well, then, one is the Brazil fever and the
other the Florida fever.
We canIlot be surprised that the freedmen
should give ready credence to marvellous stof1es
told them about the Paradise In the FloWery
Land, where they will get eighty acres OF land,
where fish and game are plenty, where summer 10
perennial, where oranges, bananas anu phe-
apples grow spontaneously oil the year rouhu,
and. height Of bliss where they can live Without
work. When we consider the Ignorance OF tne
race their brilliant, childish fancy their creouhty
and their natural inclination TO ease ana mdo-
lence, we find ready explanation tor the prova-
lence of this desire to emigrate to Florida; the
more so, as the great majority have nothing to
lose, and in the presence Of hard work naturally
imagine that any change must be for the better.
| Never having been thrown on their own resources
or made to think for themselves, they exercise no
forecast, and are regardless Of consequences.
they were inclined to listen to reason, 1t would
be easy to show to them that they will do better to
remain here among their friends, where they can
always count on certain market for their labor
or their produce !; and I think it is the duty OF
every one, Northern or Southern, who commands
the confidence of negroes, to set this whole mat
ter fully before them, and warn them against has
tly abandoning their homes and going to an un-
| known country. ). ~ "i<ss - -
But confess that was very much surprised to
find among the whites also widespread desire TO
emigrate. There seems to be no definite point
determined upon as yet, which they would prefer
as the place OF their future home. Mexico is no
longer mentioned in this connection. The present
condition of that distracted country is not such as
| to invite immigration. If fiibustering expeditions
against Mexico are organized, should, however
not be surprised, il many young men from the
South should be found to join them. We deprecate
such action on their part, but know from e1-
perience that this may always be looked for after
long war, and the denomination it invariably
brings in its train. Brazil, Veaezuela and British
Honduras, believe, are the objective points at
present, occupying the attention of the people OF
this part Of the country. rl
cannot 60 into minute examination OF the
claims, merits and dement's Of these several
countries, as places to which Southern people
might emigrate. doubt not that one ana all
offer inducements which would justify German,
Irish or Swedish emigrauts to go there. These,
moreover, Ifeel sure, would In the course OF time
do we'll there, just as others Of their countrymen
have done wei who preceded them, and just as
these same Germans, Irish,, etc., would do II
they were to come mere. 1t should be re-
membered, however, that these emigrants have
been brought up to do hard work, snd expect 70
work, to whstever place they may go:@ They leave
their own country because it is over populated, be-
cause land commands exorbitant prices, because
taxation is heavy, and 'conscripGon onerous, and
because Of innumerable other civil and municipal
enactments restricting the exercise OF individual
liberty. In short they leave, not because s' are
unwilling to work, but because they wish to 60 to
place where they can work to, some purpose,
where they will have plenty to eat and prospect
Of ease and independence as q reward OF their
lsbors all of which they are debarred OF in their
native country. Farmers and mechanics are the
/ only immigrants desired by any country, and
when say farmers, 7 mean men who will take
holt of the plough, the shovel or toe hoe, not
gentlemen planters, who can merely superintend
the work. The professions are at discount. Tho
position Of the foreigner in any country at first
is, and always has been, menial one. The places
Of honor and emolument belong to tho native,
and the foreigner everywhere must give abundant
proof Of his worth and his deserts before he can
lay claims to exemption from manual labor and
ask his share of the 'easy places" provided by
society. Capital certainly shortcns his term OF
probation, and not unfrequently enables him to
leap at bound oil these barriers.
Now II those Of our people who entertain do
sire to emigrate will but make up their minds, lay
by their dignity and false shame, and take hold OF
the plough, the plane or the trowel. as they would
have to do ware they to emigrate, they can do
quite as well here as they can reasonably expect to
do anywhere, and remain in their own country,
and among their, own, kindred during the entire
term Of their natural lives.
The same holds good only'to q still greater de-
gree, as regards those who possess capital. Where
will money command better price thant right
here2 Here, il they do not like to cultivate their
paternal Inheritance because the soil is not suf-
ciently fertile, they have millions OF acres from
which to choose, and at very moderate price.
Here they have been born, and whatever change
in their circumstances political revolution may
have effected, it can never eradicate their attach
ment to their native State. Here repose the bones
ofour fathers the history Of the State, in all her
glorious past is our history, and the soil OF South
Carolina is enriched by those who fell in her de-
fence. Our friends arc here, our neighbors, our
relatives, the associations ofa life time, nay, OF
generations and centuries. Here areour churches
and our pastors, here are the, schools where our
children are taught the elements Of knowl-
edge. Shall We leaye sll these; ;behinda Root them
| out from our hearts and memories And for
-what2 Because We have been defeated in the fight
for independence? Did we not enter the struggle
with open eyes, and voluntarilya Did we not, IN
doing so, take upon ourselves the consequences
Of such step, OF failure as well as ofsuccess? Is
| it manly now, in the hour Of trial to abandon
those who from circumstances a-e compelled 70
remaina could easily enlarge on this part OF the
subject, but it is unnecessary.
| And what is offered in exchange for all these
blessings anu privileges voluntarily surrenuereus
Why, to go to foreign country, where another
language is spoken, to another race Of people OF
a different religion, different habits and customs;
and where, as we hsve limited above, they will en-
counter almost insurmountsble obstacles and
prejudices at every step of their progress, to say
nothing Of the difficulties Of climate, and other
hardships, incident to the transplanting Of an old
| tree to new soil.
| Some there will be who think I am exagge-
rating the difficulties and privations connected
with emigration. To them would say, know
whereof affirm, and the half has not yet been
told Do you point to Germans and Irishmen who
get on well here? have already indicated the
reason. They land for the most part in destitute