The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-05-08
SUFFERING IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

The New York Herald OF the 4th, puDrshes
communication from Governor Orr, accom-
panied by abstracts of letters addressed to Rev.
WM MARTIN, of Columbia, who had issued cir
culars, calling for information in regard to the
extent of the destitation prevailing in different
| parts of the State These abstracts, which we
publish this morning, tell tale Of widespread
and all but hopeless destitution, such as the
world has not heard of since the famine in Ire
land twenty years ago.
The appeal which is made to the humanity
of the country by this mere statement, is gener-
ously and heartily endorsed by the Herald.
But while we acknowledge the kindness with
which this has been done, and recognize the
relief which in many instances has been Afford
ed by the exercise of Northern charity, there
is truth contained in this statement which we
would impress upon our Northern friends.
That truth is that this destitution and suffering
lis the direct result of the political agitation OF
the last two years.
When the war closed throughout the South,
there was universal preparation to 60 to work,
and if one half of the land that could have been
planted had been cultivated, if one half Of the
energy which could have been exercised had
been employed, there would have been but
comparatively little destitution, and no where
any possibility of starvation.
What prevented it? The unnecessary and
mischievous agitation in Congress, or If 1t is
fairer statement, the unfortunate difference be-
tween Congress and the Executive. What the
South wanted was capital-capital to buy mules,
to supply provisions, to pay the wages of freed
men, who had nothing but those wages to de-
pend upon. There was ample security for such
capital, and for large and sure returns OF IN
terest upon its use. And this capital would
have come but for the constant threats Of con-
fiscation and the uncertain political status OF
the States in which such capital was needed.
What wise man, seeing the Influence Of MIR.
STEVENS, and listening to declarations of COM
ing vengeance, go little mild confscation pun
ishment first, and then quiet," would have ven
tured his capital in property which might be
snatched from his debtor
Then, toe, the widest theories and tho most
foolish theorists on the subject of negro labor
were all powerful 1t seemed at one time as
if the Democratic party had resolved that no
freedman should be permitted to labor; that
the whole of the present generation were to be
secured in the employment Of perpetual
holiday.
And in this State the monstrous iniquity of
the confscation of the Sea Island lands de-
molshed labor through one Of the richest and
most productive sections Of the State, while in
ducements the most delusive but the most at
tractive, were offered in other sections to per-
suade the laborers to emigrats.
And both of these are still at work. Violent
and extreme men are still threatening confsca-
ton, and even such Democrat as Mr.. BR0OKs
shows his love for the South by the declaration
that he would sooner trust capital in Hayti
than in the Southern States.
The condition of things, however, is impro-
wing, and we would say to the Herald and all
other papers or individuals who would prevent
the recurrence of such suffering, that the
surest way is to put On end to the political agi-
tation which is consequent upon the unsettled
status of the South, and to discourage and con-
tradict the thousand wild and wicked rumors
with which the Northern press teens, that per-
sons and capital seeking employment in the
South run unusual risks. The truth is just
the reverse, and, much as we have suffered,
Mr. STEVENS speeches and Mr.. STEVENS poll
cy, by creating and fostering this distrust, have
deprived Northern capitalists of more certain
and larger profits than have been offered to in
vestments for many years in this country