Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-05-20
Our Neighbors Are Leaving Us Far
behind.

Yes, our neighbors are leaving US far behind
in the race Of human progress. In more than
one of the Districts above us, the people are ma-
king practical and telling efforts to introduce
white lnborers, and to encourage immigration in
general. Particularly is this the case in Newber-
ry and in Oconee. Our neighbors of Newberry
are marching boldly forward in the great matter.
They have organized large and practically
working Immigration Society anda are subscribing
money in large sums for the furtherance Of this
all-important object. They seem to have gone to
work 10 the right way; we honor them for their
spirit and enterprise, and We here earnestly en-
treat our own people to follow their good exam
plo. And in 0conee the people are making ready
for the reception of whole colony of Germans
from the Rhine country. Two wealthy landholders
in the last named District (CuRIsropHER JONES
Esq, and Col. @. HAMPTON, brother of tho
Gsneral,) havo expressed willingness to donate
several hundred acres of land to German and other
industrious foreign immigrants, on the condition
of their permanently occupying aud improving
them. Another example worthy Of imitation |!
Let thrifty Germans dot part of your lands
with smiling farms, and you can soon. sell aa
much Of the rest as you choose, at prices that
will pay we'll. And is there nothing in feeling
that you have been instrumental in building up
your native section?
Would you have on example of what immigra-
ton has done for country7 Look at Utah the
country of the despicable Mormons. During tho
past winter $50, 900 have been collected in small
sums, in Utah to aid in the immigration of Euro
pean lsborers this spring. Here lies the whole
secret of the admirable success and astonishing
prosperity of the Mormons rs settlers and as ag-
riculturalists. Knowing the value Of immigra-
ton, they have been willing to pay for it. BY SO
doing, they have overcome disgust. to their filthy
doctrines, disgust to distance, disgust to their
cold and bleak location. IF the Mormons could
command such success in tho face of such diff
culties, what cannot We Of the South do, with our
rich and valuable soil, and a climate that wins
admiration from all who come to live under it
How valuable will be our lands, how vast the
produce of our industry, how teeming our wealth,
whom we are as wise and enterprising as the Nor
mons. We abhor and spit upon their religion;
but as regards their immigration policy, we would
do we'll to profit by it. What they are doing, we
can do; and with degree of success that will
leave ther achievements for behind.
Old things have passed away; all things nre
new. An entirely new system of industry must
be inauguratea in the South, and the ruind and
talent of tho superior which formerly direct
ed and controlled the labor of the negroes, must
now be employed in new and ultimately moro
remunerative channel. It is Of no avail for US
to supinely wait in idleneGs for better times or
moro favorable circumstances. Necessity requires
the exertion of every power yet left us for the
improvement of our condition and the recovery
of the prominent and commanding position which
enabled us once to control the policy of the United
States, and enforce the respect of tho whole civ
ilized world.
We urge that wise, considorate, patriotic people
all people in fact-will carefully ponder this
subject and exert their influence, both by word
and decd, to extend these views on this important
subject. To Immigration, in great measure, we
must look for our future prosperity, and for re-
lief from our present impoverished condition, our
financial difficulties, and the desolations of gi
paptic civil war.