The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-01-17
Circular Letter.
CHARLESTON, S. c., Dec. 26, 1866.

CHARLESTON, -. w., OcC. ao1 toOo'
| Tothe Landlords and Laborers Of the stare
OF South Carolina; :,
The season of 1866 is about to close, and
deem it my duty to invite tho attention
! of both Landlords and Laborers to the
following deductions in regard to the
system of free labor, which are drawn
from my observations during the past
year:
The work of the past season has been
to great extent experimental in its char
acter; and from it may be gathered les
sons of great practical value In fact,
the planter has only to avoid repetition
of the errors Of the past season; and to
discard theories which experience has
shown to be impracticable, to ensure sue
cess in the future.
In very many instances where planters
have failed to realize paying crop, the
failure is easily traceable to ignorance OF
the free labor system and general mis-
management Others, in attempting to
secure by unfair contracts moro than
would justly revert to them, have over
reached themselves; as the laborers, dis
covering that their toll would bring them
I small rccompense, have left the growing
| crop to labor where better remuneration
was offered-from this, it is easy to de-
duce the principle; that contract unfair
to the laborer, is Improbable to the plan
ter.
| Mutual distrust between the planter
and the laborer has also contributed to
failure; the principle that the interests OF
capital and labor are identical, having
been ignored by both contracting parties,
in many instances failure was to be ex-
pected.
The labor of the season has not unfre-
quently been interrupted by misunder-
standings respecting the requirements and
stipulations of contracts. Crops have
been greatly damaged by suspension of
work at critical periods, and in somo in
| stances the entire crop has been lost while
awaiting the settlement or adjudication
of questions, which should have bcen
thoroughly understood by both parties,
at the time OF contracting. liz view OF
this, cannot too earnestly urge upon
both the landowner and the laborer,
careful consideration and deliberation,
before binding themselves to contracts,
and strict and honest adherence to both
the letter and spirit of the contract when
finally entered into.
Difficulties of the character above indi-
Gated may be, in great measure, avoided
| if the planter will, by careful and patient
explanation, assure himself that the Ia
borers fully understand the contract. Ex-
perience has shown that it is policy to
| impose as few conditions upon either
planter Or laborer as are consistent with
faithful performance of their mutual OBJ
legations.
It will be the duty, as it certainly is
for the interest, Of the planter to practi-
cally acknowledge tho freedom of the Ia
borer, in it's fullest sense, as guaranteed
| by law-to kindly, and in friendly spirit,
correct those erroneous ideas of license
| and independence which the freed people
| too frequently associate with freedom
and to teach them the obligations impos-
ed upon. them by citizenship.
Nothing will more effectually conduce
to this end, OF sooner afford them cor
rect understanding of their status, and a
knowledge of its responsibilities, than
education. And cannot too earnestly
advise the planters to, encourage, by
every means in their power, the disposition
on the part of the freed people to learn to
read and write, and to educate their chill
dren. It will not be found difficult to
oispel alienation and distrust between the
two races, if such exists; the planter
need detract nothing from his own posi-
tion in practically accepting that OF the
freedman. Consideration and respect for
the rights of those employed by him will
in no way impair or detractfr his own;
while acts of kindness and q generous in
terest in the welfare of his laborers, will
endear him to them and ensure more
faithful performance of labor than can be
obtained by acts of coercion.
The freed people should be taught the
sacredness of the law, and its obi legations
impressed upon them.
Ny observations of the past season lead
me to the conclusion that it is to the ad-
vantage of both landholder and laborer to
follow as nearly as practicable the labor
system of the agricultural districts of the
| North and West-paying each laborer
| fair compensation for his services by day,
week or month, as may be agreed upon.
In cases where, owing to a lack of capi-
tai or disinclination on the part of one or
both contracting parties, this system is
not adopted, I would recommend the con-
tract method, based upon the following
system:
In cases where contracts are made Civ
ing the laborers third of the crop, if the
laborers provide their own subsistence,
they can be considered as "croppers"
only; and, when the crop has been BE-
cured, they will have performed their
part of the contract. However, a planter
may make contract to give tho freed
people rations for themselves and families,