Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-03-20

over as | made no copies of my letters, and
therefore could not turn back for review, it is
quite likely that have said some things twice,
when once only was necessary.
Though, as | said above, l have extended my
notes far beyond what | thought of when be-
gan, the main subject is far from being exhaust
ed. 1t would require a very large volume TO
contain all that it would be instructive and in
teresting to say about St. Croix. have pre-
scented only few & notes, - which was all pur-
posed to do.
But had also a special object in view. l knew
that for several generatons-from the first settle
ment of the island to a recent date-slavery pre-
vailed there to the fullest extent, and that by a
single governmental act, all the slaves, Of every
age and condition, were made free, thus introduce
ing at a stroke entirely new system Of labor
throughout the Danish West India islands, st.
Croix being the largest and most populous one of
them all. Though it would be absurd to expect
that the operation of affairs, under similar
change, would be in all respects the same IN
large extent Of country like our Southern States,
rs in a small tropical island, yet there must be
some common principles of action at work in both
places.
was therefore deeply interested to learn how
general and instantaneous emancipation had
worked in St Croix. Moreover, when found
that a peculiar system was in force there under
the Labor Act for the regulation of labor on
the country estatcs-yery different from any sys-
TEN now or at any time in existence in our own
country was the more DESTROYS to become &C
quainted with its actual working, and to make it
known here. Whether good or evil shall be found
predominant result of such a system in 81.
Croix, information concerning it would not come
amiss to cur own citizens.
The careful reader ofmy ''Notes on st. Croiz'
Will have obtained pretty fair notion Of the
main features Of the system to which refer. He
can not fail also to have discovered that the more
I became acquainted with the practical influence
of the Labor Act on both the employers and
the employed. the more I saw that influence To
have in it more of evil than of good. That the
Iaborers are better of, taking all things into ac-
count, than they would be as slaves. is true be-
yond all question. Yc, the steady tendency Of
the Labor Act Is to keep them in condition
Of irresponsible beings. about as near to that OF
slaves as they well can be and yet be free. Ne
system ike that could be anything less than dis
astrous if it were introduced into our own coun-
try.
I have heretofore remarked that found intel
Tgent residents Of the island who were fully con-
wheel that the system prevailing there is lad
one now-howeyer good the intentions OF its
trainers were. But heard no one inIicatea plan
whereby !, might he done away withaul better
one made to take its place. Yeti see nothing in
the nature Of men or things to make such a
change impossible But to effect itwau'l de-
uand decisive changes in other particular than
those which pertain to the '.Labor act. I--,eiu-
not within IN purpose to enter into specult'ians
Of that sort. The genius to plan such a fInia-
mental improvement, the philanthraric and leso-
lutte viii to urge it and to work for IT, year after
year, in spite Of all Obstacles, till both govern
mcnt and people enter heartily and perseyerinsly
into its spirit, must be brought into being from
among those whose feelings and lifelong Interests
are identified with those Of the island.
When that change shall come, improvement in
the agrcultural system Of the island viii newt
ably follow. Not that the sugar cane win cel-c
to lie cultivated largely, but it viii NOT lie the all
engrossing object Of regard as it now Is, a trfa-
attention to cotton excepted The amount Of
fruits now exported is not worth mentioning The
fruit trees Of all kinds are now such as spriueup
spontaneously or are transplantel with little or
10 care to introduce or multiply choice varieties
In fact there can be no improving fruit culture
SO long as the present system Of affairs remains,
under which the fruits Of all kinds are considered
as free plumber for the laborers. Under a right
property system, fruits might be raised probably
FOR expectation. Coffee, indigo, ginger, in short
tropical spices and roots Of all kinds valuable
and marketable in civilized communities outside
Of the tropics, under good system might he
raised there to an important extent, and employ
in their culture, gathering and curing, the wo-
men iaborer- To- far better purpose, both in an
economical and moral point Of view, than to have
them occupied proniscuously with men in the
cane fields, as they now are. There are plenty Of
able boiled men on the island for all the rough
and hard work Of the fields, without the women.
il their powers were melted to vigorous and
steady action by an organization Of society
which should properly combine both legal and
moral encouragements and restraints, which
should encourage the stability Of families among
The laborers and the acquisition by them Of little
lome,teads Of their own in the country. where
hey might be encouraged by both precept and
Example to cultivate their own few acres. for a
part the time at least, for the growth Of what
yer the soil and locality might be best suited for.
t is an oyerpowering evil of the present system,
hat the owners and managers Of the estates as a |
'ody look upon the laborers as existing only to |
york on the estates, and as better for that pur-
'ose it kept in a condition Of ignorance and ire
possibility as near as possible to that Of sla-
cry. When that pcrncious notion shall have
iven place to the RATIONAL humane and chris
ian one, that the laws and privileges and rcspon-
Utilities should be the same for all, and that the
iore whole community is enlightened and
-imulatel to better their condition by honest and
mbit;ous effort, and made to feel a strict
scountability to both human and divine law
ssting on all alike, the more surely will pros
Gritty and happiness come to all; then a hopeful
ny indeed for that lovely island of the sea will
ave dawnei, and enduring improvement will
,gin.
No one who has enjoyed the serene and
salthy air of St. Croix and its warm and equable
mperature, who has been delighted with its
farming scenery and derived pleasure from the
quaintance Of its hospitable and courteous in
lbitants, can avoid hoping for it, under the
essing Of Divine Providence in the years to
ne, a greater, more varied and better founded
osperity than it ever knew in the years that are