The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-11-02
InanaagratIoa.

many lotnerS, nave noticed with
much interest the efforts of Geuefal
Wagener to induce immigration to
this State. I have been pleased, too,
with the sensible advice on this SUBJ
ject, given from time to time, through
the editorial columns OF your journal.
I fear, however, Notwithstanding the
zeal and ability manifested by the
Commissioner, and the vital impor-
tance of the work in which he is
engaged, that his efforts will prove
fruitlcss of any great results, unless
some means are adopted or some
plan devised by which the transcend
ant Importance of this matter may be
brought more directly to the atten-
ton of land-holdcrs, and their ear
nest cooperation enlisted. Such q
plan l would respectfully suggest to
the Commissioner, and which, 1 be-
lieve, if acted upon, will effectually
accomplish the objects of his COM
mission. It is this: That General
Wagener invite the land-holders of
the several Districts of this State to
meet at their respective court houses
on certain day, to be fixed by him,
promotion of immigration" Let all
landowners be invited to join these
associations, who are willing to do
nate portions of their lands to immi-
grants who will settle on and cult
vate them.
Let it be the leading business of
these associations to collect and re-
gistcr the names of all such persons,
with the number of farms or acres
they will donate, and forward lists of
the same to the Commissioner, Gene
raj Wagener. This plan will prove
effectual; no other will. Farms must
be giOen, to induce extensive immi-
grafton. 1t can easily be shown that
nothing could more successfully or
moro rapidly enhance the intcre IS of
land-holders and the prosp .rit, of
the State, than the advent within her
borders of large number of small
farmers from the old world. Mere
laborers from thence will not answer
the purpose. I would not undertake
to raise cotton with foreign laborers,
If could get them for their victuals
and clothes. We must have host
of small farmers. The only way to
get them is to gire them fums. I
believe every land-holder in the
State, who possesses q thimblc-full of
brains, will be willing, if the mntter
be fairly presented to him, to donate
portions of land as above suggested.
One land-holder, and not Il large one
either, assures me he will give ten
farms, of fifty acres each, to ten
families OF immigrants; another offers
to give onc-third OF his land in the
same way. Every landowner will
give. Push this scheme properly,
and by the opening of spring we may
have an 100, 600 sturdy farmers from
the "Faderland," laboring for the
regeneration of South Carolina.
There is an impcrious necessity for
an Immediate and heavy increase in
the agricultural population of the
State; there is an impcrious neces-
sity for u radical change in our sys-
tenn of agriculture; there is an impe-
rlous necessity for division of
plantations into small farms. Plant
ers in this State are running them
selves in the silly effort to raise cotton
with hired labor. The experience Of
the past three years prove the at
tempt to be hopelcssly ruinous. The
agriculture of the State is on the
verge of utter ruin. Freed labor,
whatever it may be where the lands
are fresher and richer, is here con-
fessedly disastrous failure. Look
at our condition. We have not made
sufficiency of breadstuffs to feed
the State until the next harvest. We
have not made cotton enough to paw
for provisions bought during the last
year. And SO it will ever be under
the present system of farming. A
vast majority of the planters OF our
State have ruined themselves, pecn-
niarily. in the vain essay to raise
cotton with freed labor. 1 do not
believe that one in five hundred of
our planters has made five per cent.
upon his capital, invested in farming,
during the past three years. There
must be change. The cultivation
OF cotton as the leading crop must be
abandoned. The sooner our planting
friends recognize this necessity. and
act upon it, the better for thcm-tho
better for the entire community.
What, then, is the planter to do? Lie