The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-02-27
Employment in the Country.

of Young men in the country who are
DISPOSED to abandon :the field Of agricul-
ture and embark in pursuits of city life,
to which they are altogether unaccus-
toned, and for which, probably, they
have small aptitude: +,
GA gentleman in this vicinity purchas-
ed l20 acres of pine land, one half cleared,
for 1915. With himself and family, con-
sisting entirely Of females, assisted only
by small boy, for whose services he paid
$50, he raised the following crop, viz:
eight bales of long cotton, worth about
$1,000; $3.50 worth Of corn; $500 worth
of potatoes; oats and fodder worth $50;
and from the pinders raised he fattened
S4O0 worth of pork. In the production
of these crops he employed two horses
His total expense for the farm and the
support of the family were $780,"
We also copied, sonic months ago, from
Virginia paper, statement to the effect
that two accomplished young ladies in
that State, who had lost an immense for
tune by the war, had accepted the situa-
ton" which fate had allotted them, and
instead of repining at tho dccrees of Tor
tune, had literally taken hold Of the piow
themselves, and were engaged in cultiva-
TING their fields with their own hands, in
the same cheerful spirit they had mani
tested in the parlor in previous years 1t
is an example which is worthy of imita-
ton by the men of the South. In fact,
those who were most devoted to the
Southern cause and proved their devotion
by their conduct in the field, have most
readily acted as these patriotic ladies
have done, have converted their swords
into plow shares, and without weeping
over what was unavoidable in tile past,
have set, about to improve tho present
hour, and to prepare for the. wants Of the
future. We have had occasion very often
to commend this noble trait Of Southern
character, 1t has won for us the admira-
ton of those to whom we were recently
opposed; and the contempt which our
people have generally manifested at the
stern DEGREES of fortune has even excited
the envy, if not the hatred, Of some who
expected to sec us rcpining at our misfor-
tunes and humiliated at our defeat.
But while the masses Of our people
have bcoen awakened to new energy, and
have risen superior to misfortune, it is
too true that some are needlessly despon-
dent; and small number Of those WHO
were unaccustomed in former years to
the details of business, CIR to otGer. practi-
cal duties of life, have been unable to be-
come rcconcilcd to the altered circum-
stances in which they find themselves.
The fortunes on which they formerly re-
lied or the great expectations which they
cherished, have vanished like y dream,
and they suddenly awaken from tie faded
vision to contend with the stern realities
of life. Most of these, as we have ro-
marked, have met this new enemy with
the same determination and courage
which they have cvnced on other fields.
But there arc some who have faltered in
this fresh encounter Unable to obtain
such situations as they desired, they have
hesitatcd TO accept others which were
more aiduous but not less honorable. A
sentiment of false pride has induced them
to contemn honest industry, and to re-
sort to every questionable means OF sus-
tanning themselves. Occasionally ono of
this number may be found who, while
protesting to think it beneath the digni-
ty of his former position in life to descend
to honest labor as q. means of support,
will not hesitate to claim the charity OF
former comrade who has boldly met the
new enemy and has conquered advcrslty
by persistent and honest industry. =.
We would say to such it is more in
consonancc with tho dignity OF human
nature to initiate the examples of indus
try to which we have previously alluded.
No worthy purpose can be accomplished
bv haunting the drinking saloons of city
or village, and standing aloof from honest
employment.. If there are not situations
in the city, thousands of acres OF choice
lands lie untitled in the country, and ap-
peal invtingly to all who are disposed to
gather the treasures which are hidden in
the fertile soil TO those who are strong
and healthy, and who are willing to Ia
bor. there can be but little difficulty in
procuring employment. And what avo-
cation in life can be more honorable than
that of Cincinnatus, who retired from the
dictatorship to resume his post at the
plow?
When labor and capital are alike def,
cient in Che South, the owner of the soil
would gladly avail himself of the service
OF those now out Of. employment BY ar
ranging for an equitable division Of the
products with those who supply the ncces-
sary Tabor In this sense labor is surely
capital, and may be made to yield largely
to those who are willing to furnish it: it:
We therefore advise those who are still
unemployed To go to The country, and in
stead of wasting their energies, in way
which can but enervate them morally and
physically to initiate thc example OF the
noble Roman, and thus lay the founda-
ton Of future prosperity, while at the
same time they will fit themselves to Dc