The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-05-20
A Suggestion.

"A SuRgesttou.
Mr.. EDITOR: AS the people appear,
throughout the whole State, to be
waking from their lethargy, and Or
ganizing under the auspices of the
Caucasian or Democratic party, does
it not behoove that party, as the ex-
ponent of the conservative and in
dustrial elements of the common
wealth, to move energetically in some
organized scheme of immigration.
They represent the productive, as ar
rayed against the consumptive or
radical faction, embracing the major
portion of those who contribute no.
thing. but are mere pensioners, sup
ported by our present ruinous system
OF taxation, so prolific of fraud, and
80 powerful an engine of political
oppression. Let our State Central
Committee invite correspondence and
proffers, looking to this paramount
end. Get the land-holders to come
forward and state what they are will
ing to give, in fee simple, what por-
tion, to ALLEVIATE for O certain number
OF years. giving to the tenant the
privilege ofpurchasing at stipulated
price,; while those possessing per-
sonal estate, contribute liberal quota
in proportion to their means. Then,
let us have practical, working com
mittee, men of enlarged views, who
can reason and see from other stand
points than self, to visit the North
west, and lay before her hardy sons,
the vast advantages we offer them,
our superb climate, almost infinite
variety Of vegetable production, ex-
haustless mineral wealth, and q water
power, which needs but to be seen
by the manufacturer, to be appreci-
ated for its universally and facility of
adaptation to any demand. Let the
Committee, bypersonal interview and
explanation, by judicious system of
advertising, and unfagging CORES.
pondence, fully arouse the farm la
borers; get them to come in commu-
mites, families, or even as individu-
als, to our deserted fields, and see to
it, that while Inducements are held
out, every promise be sacredly full
filled; and instead of lands brin ping
fifty cents an acre, ten dollars in a
year or two will be the average. And
with adominant white race, this one
rous Tax Act will be swept from our
statutes and disappear, with the worse
than Aloa tyranny, which has sought
to grind our very manhood into the
earth. say, get the immigrants
from the North west, if it be possible;
for we at once introduce people,
speaking the same tongue. and fami-
liar with the same political and social
institutions, whose minds and hearts
are, to some extent, the reflex of the
wide prairies, majestic rivers and il
limitable forests, from which they
have produced civilization rioting
in wealth. But still, if the European
comes, let his welcome he as warm,
and few years will produce all the
changes necessary to make him a
valuable member Of the community.
If our people are not alive to the
exigencies of the hour, it is doubtful
if one of the present land-holders
will possess an acre of land he can
onllihis own. in five years from TO -day
They cannot hold the land for better
prices, the taxes will devour it as fire
the stubble. immigration is our only
refuge, and we must yield to the i'm
migrant common interest with our
selves; his home must be his own,
inviolate, around which all the affec-
tions of his family will cluster. Let
him be bound to these broad acres
with the same ties holding ourselves.
and our traditions, our past, become
his; the immutable law of ethnologi-
cal absorption will prevail, while
Southern individualism and Yankee
puritanism, SO nearly akin, will be
banished from homogeneous people
in the noon-tide of prosperity.