The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-01-04
A Diabolical Plan.

A Diabolical Plan.
We ask the careful attention of those of readers who
interested in the labor question to the following
from the editorial columns of the Lynchburgh (Va Aduer-
ser proposing the establishment in heSouh substitute
for chattel slavery of system of erfdom scarcely less
hateful than the institution is intended to practically pro-
long, The country should take alarm at such infamous
proposition. Think of tan attempt to attach to the
aborer in America those medieval conditions which
Russia has rejected We have present to take
that notice of the subject which demands and shall refer
to it again:
"The great problem with the farmers in Virginia is
how to improve their large estates the time drawing
income from them. If they their lands
groe to such tenants they usually find willing rent
the damage their estates from careless and unskul cul
vation generally exceeds the rent If they attempt to
cultivate all their lands themselves if they could get
abundance of labor they get the capital carry
farms state very correctly that English experience has de-
monstrated that large farms profitable than small
ones but they forget, according to English experience
large capital is carry large farm Nor
procure in sufficient numbers small tenants from
abroad who will be able to carry farming their
account without assistance. Most of Immigrants who
have money to carry business by themselves will be
tempted by the low price of land to buy small home instead
of renting.
"There is however, plan, and but one by which the
farmers of Virginia successfully so as to
the great ends which they have in view, of deriving
sonabe income from their large estates and at the time
improving the land without risk without the expenditure of
much money and without continuing their dependence
idle and worthless freedmen, who intent getting
possession of the land by political leagues than ctvang
for honest wages The plan is the adoption of the Cotter
SYSTEM of England and Scotland The Coter SYSTEM which
into in Great Britain when white slavery
abolished there long ago. has been the very life of British
agriculture SINCE and its introduction into Virginia
under similar circumstances would be attended with like
beneficial results Indeed circumstances favor
able to its introduction this me from large surplus
of i'll cutvaed yet ntrnsically valuable land that we
would have great advantage the British farmer and
might reasonably expect the system to be
cesu here than has been in England and Scotland The
Cotter system takes its from its distinguishing feature
the settlement of the farm laborrs in cottages each family
the cultivation of little ground attached to the cottage and
by laboring the estate which they live, for the
neghborng farmers well by service domestcs when
occasion offers In England and Scotland they now pay rent
for their little cabin and patch of ground which there is
usually annexed the common right fuel and the privilege
OF grazing or two the pasture of the estate
though In former times it for them pay only
nominal rent The advantages of this system many
and great In moral point of view the home influences
of nemabe valne to the laborng class when they live
thus independently in families and the family ties keeping
the aborers in locality the neghborng farmers have
supply of skilled labor when they want it. Again. this
system enables the aborer and his family derive the
greater part of their support from what the landlord
comparatively nothing and he thus enabled work when
farmer needs his services such wages that can make
reasonable profit from his business This most important
consideration 1t is plain that the aboer and his family
must be supported the whole year, and unless support is
given them IN this way they must get of their wages
or steal it.
eve are assured by the officers of heVrgnia immigration
Society that the Society is prepared furnish thousands of
families of English and Scotch coers to the farmers of
Virginia they will give them each cabin and 10 acres of
land with ne rent free for five years. and rs day
wages he aborer finding HIMSELF and the laborer will bind
himself to work for his landlord whenever wanted Or if
the farmers prefer it. the coters will gladly cultivate asmuch
of their land they properly cultivate and manure on
the same terms they make with the freedmen either for
part OF the crop or paying and hiring the and
Pows OF farmers With the opportunities that the
freedmen have had for the last three years. these thrifty
coter would soon be able take long leases parts the
FARMS paying handsome and improving the lands the
same time we trust that farmers will speedily avail
themselves of the opportunity afforded them reorgan-
ze their system of farming on sound and economical basis
ana that before the next opens they will have supplied
themselves with this English and Scotch labor"
French Opinion of the Fenian Executions in
England.