The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-08-28
European Immigration,

European Immigration.
With great satisfaction we rcprint
from The Newberry Herald tho follow
ing extracts from the admirable address
delivered By Gen. John 4. Wagner,
Commissioner Of European Enumeration
tor this State, in that town, some weeks
since, and asked for it the thoughtful
perusal OF those of our readers who arc
concerned for the future welfare and
prosperity of South Carolina:
Mr.. President and Fellov Citizens -
The results and consequences of our
late unfortunate and disastrous contest
arc OF such a character that our whole
economy and state OF society, all our
ideas and aspirations, have been com
plctely revolutionized we arc now in
tie midst of a chaos, from which only
an 'ndomitablo will, perseverance, lbe.
raj and progressive IDEAS, and the bless.
ing OF Providence can re produce order
snd prosperity. But it bchoovcs wise
and reasoning people not to sorrow over
and despair OF the past, but to Law such
plans and initiate sucl, systems as may
reasonably be expected 10 afford them 4
chance OF rcsuscitat:on and prospect
OF prosperous future. And it IS not
III bare politics that we must look for
our salvation, too much Of that has
always cnSrosscd the attention of South
carolina, but in striving earnestly to
fe'awaken our industrial ambition, and
whcre former manners of pursuits have
become impossible or Improbable, to
strike out with firm resolution, and
without hesitation, for new channels of
fortune. Souil, Carolina now bcholds
her darkest days, but there is life IN the
ola yet, and if her people only will it,
she VIII yet ere long behold the rising of
n glorious sun, and her days may be
days OF peace, plenty, power and trans
ccndmg honor once more. The great
present cause Of our difficulties is the
d'sorganlzalion of our laborlne force and
want of capital. In 1850, the working
iorce Of South Carolina was about 24O,-
o0O now it is scarcely 100000. Then
It was an organized and efficient pro-
ductlve power; now it is tho basis of
dcsultory and very frequently discon.
necicd effort, without any great results
as whole, and certainly always inse
cure as to amy dc,crminablc product.
have advertcd TO this subject on
several former occasions, and shall,
therefore, only briefly review it now.
Our colorcd population has diminished
1T has taken to other branches of indus.
try, IN numerous cases not so we'll
adapted to their habits and character.
preterring city and village life to the
plantation ana farm; it has shifted from
ono part Ct the State to others, and
worst OF all, considerable proportion
has followed the natural propensity of
human kind, to live life Of Incidence
at the expense OF others. All these are
universally acknowledged facts. There
may bc-there are favorable exceptions.
a large planter in York District assur.
Ell me last winter that all his former
people remained with him. and were
dong better than ever before, and some
gentlemen even of your own district
proiessed to be very well satisfied, so
much so that they could not see at all
any necessity for the encoura cement of
immigration. But these exceptions
cannot amend the rule. do not want
10 crowd out the freedmen. God for.
bid If could DO of service TO him,
nc shat' DC welcome. IfF can improve
ms condition, no one shall be more
willing. Indeed, I would persuade
him, if could, not to quit the land in
which he was born, but to cling with
strong attachment 10 old Carolina,
where, amidst all his troubles, he has
really enjoyed many happy days, the
like of which may never more return to
hlm any where else in tho wide world.
But the freedman is not su (ficicnt as
an element Improvement. If he was
an excellent plantation hand, he will
not do so well as farmer and small
proprietor. Will he produce more, as
q whole, than he consumes? will he
do 10 establish fact c'ories, 10 tend 10 tho
vineyard, TO preserve the orchard, 10
raise stock, to the careful and close cul.
hvaIlon of grains, 10 improve the hnJ,
TO build towns and vile gcs, ana project
tho earnings Of his ncishbors? You
Know him we'll, and you answer these
questions better than 7.
And this subject may be viewed in
yet another light. Did you ever earn
estly reflect how the Slate is to bear
tho taxation for The support of an OK.
tsraoro'narily largo INDECENT population,
from which no contributions can be
gathered, and tho special AM. liberal
care lor whom the laws Of the Union
have imposed? Besides, hereafter orr
eolored population will be largely con-
cerned in framing the laws of our own
State, and it is their already expressed