The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-06-10
LETTER FROM KERsHAw DISTRICT,
CAMDEN, 8. c., June Z, 1867.

CAMDEN, 8. c., June Z, 1867.
To The Editor Of the Charleston Daily Ne,os:
Crops and politics are the chief topics OF the
day in our ancient burg. The former are very
promising. Cotton appears in very good stands
and are still receiving, proper attention from hoe
and plow. On the river plantations the plant is,
on an average, still small, while higher Up, in the
red land adjoining, and in the upper portion Of the
District, where the land is not stiff, it is shoot
ing up vigorously. To-day gentleman brought
in stalk 22s inches, grown on lot in town. The
latter is now surrounded by large fields of luxu-
RANT cotton and waving grain. In fact everybody
seems to be planting this year, thus giving US a
greater breadth Of land under cultivation than
usual.
Corn has met with some drawbacks, especially in
the upper portions of the District and that planted
early in this vicinity. The cold nights have not
only retarded its growth but encouraged worm
to issue forth from its hiding place, and invade the
tender stalks with destructive results. Judging
from dihgent inquiry made among planters from
all portions of this and the adjoining Districts,
they have now succeeded in obtaining good
stand. The seasons have been most propitlous
for the past two weeks, and all vegetation has ad-
vanced greatly in growth, so that to-day We can
see finer stands Of corn and cotton than has been
our privilege to witness In many years. We have
indeed cause to thank God for the excellent crop
prospects, now before US.
There is not much whest planted in this vicinity,
but IN the upper country learn large quantities
have been sown and are now beautifully npening
for the scythe. All planters OF my acquaintance,
large and small, have planted more or less oais,
which also promises well, and is now heading
finely since the recent warm showers. ri yE;.L.
have heard of but little dissatisfaction with the
freedmen this year. In fact the excellent condi-
ton Of the crops attest that the aborers are doing
their duty manfuny. -
blFro.nt every account Of the crop, it is to be
judged, that We are all hopeful and look forward to
financial as well as political reconstruction next
winterg The former depends greatly on the latter,
and both mpst 20 hand I'M hand. It is our duty to
labor as faithfully for the one as the other.
As to politics, We have had our share Of itinerant
Radical preachers, but thus far the entente co'd le
between the races has not been disturbed. AS you
have seen from proceedings published in the
Journal, every effort has been made by gentlemen
of ability, integrity and high standing to preserve
the existing good feeling by advising the freed
men only with reference to Importance Of indus
try, energy and perseverance, in eleyating them
selves physically and morally.
Business is quite stagnant IN consequence Of the
scarcity Of money and the pressure on the time If
farmers during the present active farming sea-
son.
Contributions Of corn have reached here from
our philanthropic friends at the North, and, judg-
ing f1om the great crowds that attend the dis
tributing Office an immense amount Of fgoodis be-
ing accomplished. Hundreds have been snatched
from worse than death gradual starvation. Old
men, women and children flock hither from dis
tance Of many miles to receive their mite. Their
gsunt frames, and pinnhed, haggard faces, speaks
In eloqueHt and unmistakeable language OF the
terrible monster that is gnawing at their vitals.
Such faces I have never before seen, and it " IN
deed enough toturn heart OF stone TO sympathy
20 see at greedy crowd congfegatea at the corn
Office, and watch how they almost swallow with
their eyes the yellow grains that is meted out to
them-alss but scantily. But their suffering is
relieved for a.time, and if they can but be main
tanned until the vegetable and fuit season fully
set in, tho Quantities received at present may suf-
fee until next fall. The distress is great and wide
smead. Help, help, Continued help, is loudly call
ed for y - b.