Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-12-27
AGRICULTURAL Relief

agricultural
The pecuniary distress OF all branches of
industry is the milestone around the neck
of Southern prosperity, which is dragging
it to the bottom Of the slough Of despon-
dcncy and failure. The Indebtedness of
our farmers, especially, is the blight upon
the material interest of this section an in
debtedness not from any fault OF misman-
agement, Incidence or want of Judgment
on their part, but the result of the revolu-
ton through which we have passed, fol-
lowed by the decentralization Of labor, oner
Gus and unjust taxation by the Government,
and the unsettled condition OF the country
attendant upon the partlzan legislation OF
Congress. To relieve this distress has been
the great object of individuals and local
governments. Advances have been freely
and generously made stay laws have been
enacted military orders have been issued,
bat to 40 purpose, and to-day the agricul-
tural interest of the South, the foundation
and turret-8tone of its wealth and pros
perity, is in an infinitely worse cond ton
}
built their destroyed houses and fences,
and plowed again the field, hardened by
the tread Of marching or contending armies.
With hope yet Pickering i'll their breasts,
our planters are still willing to contend
against their adverse fortunes, and attempt
again to cultivate their fertile lands. They
arc anxious to do something to support
their families, to pay their taxes, and, if
possible, meet their already matured obi
cations, but we fear many probably ma
iority- are unable 70 raise the means to
undertake the work. All efforts to borrow
money upon liens, upon forthcoming crops,
or even By mortgages upon their lands, have
proved failures, and many political econo-
mists advise against this course, even if it
could be made available, as temporary re-
lief would prove ultimate ruin to seven
eighths of those who could get these
indulgencies. Such persons propose, in
stead of borrowing, the sale of a portion of
the land in order to procure the means of
cultivating the remainder. The demand
for money is SO urgent, and its necessity
so multifarious, that it could hardly be met
by a loan, and can only be provided for by
a sale Of portion Of the lands.
But this brings up the question how
these sales are to be effected. There is,
and can be, but one answer. By bending
all our energies to attract immigrants and
capital. Property isalmost without value be-
population and wealth to create demand.
We must attract purchasers from abroad,
and these purchasers will draw settlers,
and these settlers will add to the value, as
well as to the demand, for lands. With in
creased population comes increased value
Of property, greater market facilities, ex-
tension of commerce, and decreased taxes
and reduced prices of all the necessaries of
life
Our farmers and land owners are conse-
quentIy more directly interested in the sub
ject of immigration than any others, and
they should by all means turn their atten-
ton to its increasing importance. Liberal
inducements should be held out, and the
kndest treatment extended to those who
desire to settle in this section. Let those
who are SO situated as to be able to furnish
provision for, and make ayaila-
BILE, the labor of industrious immigrants,
use the agen cies, under trustworthy men,
to introduce such upon their farms. The
expenses are within the reach of many, |
and we do not think, however Indifferent
may be the success of the experiment, that
much risk is assumed, and the trial may
be rewarded with fattering returns. Thus
the foundation of a reliable system of labor
may be laid, and our agricultural interests
may thus sooner than otherwise receive the
only relief which can stay its distress and
make it again prosperous.