The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1868-07-08
Delusory Ideas Of California.

Under this heading the Phoenix gives
the substance of letter, received by
Bishop Atkinson Of North Carolina, from
resident of high position in California,
whose character the Bishop endorses,
and whose business of a>sayer proves the
confidence reposed in him by the mer-
chants and miners of California. The
subject of the letter is emigration, es-
pecialy with reference to Southern men.
He says that while the general condition
of the country is prosperous, and that
| it will in time be the seat of large and
fouriShing commonwealth, that it is a
great error to suppose that California
presents any unusual advantages either
for capital or labor. And the opinion is
expressed that there is no city in the
world where the proportion Of unem-
played clerks is so great. The profess
sions are all overcrowded. The demand
is wholly for labor, and it is doubted if
the condition Of the working man is better
there than here. To farm there success
fllly requires knowledge of agriculture,
trgether with capital of $4,000 to SIS,
000, before anything can be done. These
views we present as coming from un-
questioned authority, and as presenting
truths corroborated by various testimony,
and as agreeing in part with our own
IDEAS. We believe that success will
crown the efforts Of the energetic, determ-
ined man in large percentage wherever
he is, and that here in our Southern
country there are fields and sources of
wealth undeveloped, as ,ich and fruitful
as can be found elsewhere Well direct
ed energy and labor here in the South
will lead to wealth as surely as the same
means will bring about that result elSc=
where. Will points out a way, and a
proper proportion of vim, and determina-
ton to succeed will surmount obstacles
under which, the man who is looking for
ward for "something 10 turn up" and
waits inactively for it, will sink. We
are no advocate for distant fields, the dis
lance of which alone lends the enchant-
ment. Nor for severing the pleasant
ties which bind to home, kindred and
friends, and endeared by long years of
association. Hundreds there are, who,
led away by the alluring promise of
speedy fortunes, have already found their
mistake, and would nov come back if
they could, to rest in the land which
from their present stand point, looks to
them to be the brightest and best spot on
elrth. We cannot deny tat there are
men who.have bettered themselves, but
they are few, and whore one realizes his
hopes ten are doomed to disappointment,
and who would have done better at home.
The future of this country must be great
and prosperous, and the barren wastes
will be made to blossom like the rose,
and yield abundance and wealth. \ few
years only will prove the truth of this:
Already are the signs seen, in improved
agricultural meth"ds, new systems, ma
chinery, labor, and aroused energy. All
the elements are here, with the advan-
tages of home and friends, and we can
not but esteem it the height Of folly when
men arc seen casting off everything which
makes life happy, and comforts not to be
experienced till after years Of struggling,
if ever again, going forth to build up
homes. and work out fortunes which in
so many instances proved failures.