The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-31
CHI L ESTON N.
TUESDAY MORNING. DECEMBER 81, 1867.
The Prospect of Government Aid for Our
Planters.

This is the last day of the old year, and we
are glad to be able to give to our readers, at
this time, tidings that may inspire them with
hope for the new year that now will soon be
born.
The North is seriously alarmed at the intel
~licence which it receives of the terrible destl-
tuition and want now existing in the South.
This feeling might have fruitlessly died away
or have found its only expression in the charity
of individuals but, thanks to the energetic
e~xer,ions of one of our own citizens, there is
now reason for believing it highly probable
that some scheme will be adopted for extending
government aid to the planters Of the South.
The gentleman referred to has been IN wash
inrton for some time, and we shall endeavor to
show, as clearly as possible, what has been ac-
conplished, and what remains to be done.
Three plans of relief were submitted:
l. That Congress should authorize a loan Of
$50. 600, 900, to be lent in small sums to necessi-
tous planters, the loan to bear six per cent.
interest, and to be secured by mortgage OF the
land and q lien upon the crops of the borrow
ers; the loan to be distributed by local COM
missioners of approved position and standing.
2. That tie government should lend the
Southern people an amount equal to the gross
amount of revenue already received by the
United States from the cotton tax; the loan to
be secured, issued, and distributed as under the
first plan.
3. That the United States Government should
sell the gold in the national treasury, in excess
of the sum required TO meet current demands,
and lend the premium realized by its sale to
the South. upon the terms and in the manner
before named
These plans were fully discussed and ex-
planned n repeated conversations with the
Presidelt General GRANT, Chief Justice CHASE,
Senator HARLAN, and General 0. 0. HOWARD.
The President was heartily in favor of some
scheme for Southern relief, and would do all
that he could to ensure its prompt adoption.
General GRANT said that he would, as Secre-
tary of War, submit to Congress, Immediately
upon the reassembling Of that body, q commu-
~nication earnestly recommending one of tho
plans submitted to him and already mentioned.
Chief Justice CHASE was very warm in his
expressions of solicitude for the relief of tho
South. His support, and that of his party
adherents to q scheme of government relief Is
considered certain. Senator HARLAN OF Iowa.
formerly Secretary of the Interior, likewise
sipni6ed his approval of the project and ais
intention to sustain it III the United States
Senate.
General HOWARD saw me necessity of relief
of some character for tie South, but expressed
no opinion on the pl.ns PROPOSED. He urged,
however, a proper aud generous distribution of
food by the govern ment, so long as the neoes-
sity for its issue sxisted the cost to be repaid
after q certain time<and in the meanwhile to
be secured by pfien on the crops.
Thus the Yatter stood when our fellow-citi-
zen lsfaeR a~shington; but, besides this, he did
actually secure one most important result.
Mpding the action of Congress, and on account
"a the representations that have been made to
= him. Genc-al HOWARD has taken steps for the
;omediatt issue of food to all destitute per-
sc,s. whit and black, in the South, in sufficient
Asiti. to avert actual suffering. This
will doubtless be the means of giving
esble great and substantial relief.
Dation is now IN fs75r of the SPEEDY
of Congress for the relief of the
4, and as the Radicals themselves do not
rain from urging the e1pediency of gov
Tsrnment assistance it is likely that Congress
sional action will not long be postponed. This
may be but another sign of returning kindness
and Justice, and the practice Of charity will,
after ell, be the surest way Of accomplishing
true reconstruction.