Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-04-10
Greenyille. S. c..
From the Southern Cu'tivator.
Treatment of LahOrerS.

Ep1roRs SOUTHERN CULrIvAroR - see
no cause for the gloom and desponden-
CIV that seems to cloud the minds of SO
many of our planters. | hear of thou
sands of places for sale. What are
the people up to? Do they expect to
sell out and then tskea tree? or will
they quit cotton and free niggers-buy
land where the white man reigns supreme
and have nothing but whites to do their
work-hire them in January, tell them
what they want done the balance of the
year, and then indulge in their vain hallu-
cinations-visit and talk, and cut the gen
tleman generally, and expect at harvest
time to find their granaries filled to over
fowing9 Wake eupfrom these silly dreams,
my friends, and know, from one who has
soldiered it long enough to find out, that
mani don't care what his color may be
is a poor, faithless, corrupt mortal;
and unless you elevate his position, en-
tighten his mind, excite his ambition
and that by constant supervision and in
struction-he will never do to. rely on to
make you extraordinary gains or profit,
if even decent living. Those white
men who are thrown broadcast upon the
world as hirelings or laborers, will have
to work differently from the many h.vc
tried, if they will do to rely on any bet
ter than freedmen. | am aware that we
are in rather an awkward position with
regard to them: but we must have pa
tience-learn to govern ourselves, or we
can never govern others properly. |
have acted in a subordinate position my
self, under the authority Of military SUI
periors. then found what it was to be
slave, or a hired laborer, or freedman,
us we now have them to control. Speak
to them mildly and respectful y-bearing
in mind how you would like to be treated,
were you in their stead; but at the same
time, suffer no impudence, in language or
deed, and give them to understand that
they shall give 1t in no possible man.
ner, and fight before you suffer it, and
you won't have but one trial. Have you
not seen the kind and courteous Captain,
although firm disciplinariau, wield his
100 men with as much ease as though
they were one man? But we must en-
deavor to ge. the confidence OF those we
try to govern, by using no dssimulation.
Do not try to deceive, becsuse you have
the power, or cheat, or lie, thinking they
will never detect you We must have
| the confidence of those we try to govern,
and their esteem-which we never can
have, except by honorable upright actions
towards them. Many indulge in malice,
and take every occasion to taunt and
jcer them; but no mind Of ordinary SEN
sibility, can but be shocked at witnessing
such treatment as this. They are not re-
sponsible for their situation, and as they
are poor and ignorant, should be pitied
but not despiscd, and encouraged by all
laudable means to seek their living hon
estly; and when they deviate from right,
should be taught, by the terrors of the
laws, that they are not to be violated with
impunity. have good many employed,
and never have had more work done, day
by day, and with less trouble and vexa
ton. Treat them kindly, and have yet
to find the man or woman that will prove
insensible to kindness. M.
Marion Co., 1866.