The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-11-03

neScIig and after winning IL, their
wealth it was that gave them the
means to retain that Immortal instru-
Drent. And were {, fellow-citizens,
1 disposed to venture upon q criticism
of our policy in the past, would
say that we have relied too much
upon mere logic and rhetoric to es-
tablish our political views. So far as
argument is concerned, no doubt our
position was made impregnahle. But
to establish and sustain State creeds
and policies, something more than
argument is required. AS some
writer has somewhere suggested to
Imy mind, we must surround these
creeds and policies with the solid
muniments of wealth and number
and popular intelligence and activity.
If, in this respect, we have failed in
the past, let us learn lesson for the
future. and move out in the industrial
arena and on the line of material ao-
quisitions. But to attain this condi-
tion Of wealth, we must labor. "To
labor is to pray" suggested the an
cient maxim. eve must labor"
said the dying Emperor Severus, and
~.
must disdain to work. Our young
men must work, and no palm leaves
must deck the idler's brow. Labor
must be dignifed. No proud youth
must disdain to grasp the plough
handles, or to seize the reins of the
draft horse, or to take up the tools of
the mechanic. Let me not be mis-
understood. The amenities and
graces of literature, the pursuits of
science, moral excellence, intellectual
attainments-all these must be in
vested with their supreme impor-
tance. But let it not be forgotten
that our future in the South and in
South Carolina must be built upon
the cornerstone of labor. Nor has
the abolition of the institution of Afri-
can slavery interfered with the line of
action that L have suggested. It is
true that, under the influences of this
institution, some of the best speci-
mems of man and womanhood have
been produced, yet 1 am convinced
that slavery was not in the main ben
efcial to the South. Under its infu-
ences, our youth failed to be thrown
upon their own energies and re-
sources. Too often did it take the
brains from the head and the muscle
from the arm, and too often did it re-
move the rose tint from the maiden's
cheek and plant in its stead the pale
ensign of death. Out of the nettle abo-
lition it is possible for us to pluck the
flower of greatness and prosperity.
And building up the South upon the
basis of white and auxiliary black
labor, it is within our power to have
O new fabric, stronger, surer and bet
ter than the one which has been
swept away.
2. Another need of the South is
capital. We want capital to give en-
terprise work and to stimulate the
public energies, and to furnish the
means to rebuild our towns and waste
places.
3. We need immigration from Eu-
rope and the North. We want these
life-giving and wealth-producing
streams. We must invite hither the
industrious Northerner, the generous
Celt and the hardy German. L would
not discard or under-rate the labor of
the colored man. I would utilize
it and give him fair showing. But
1 would like to see in the South,
where there is ample room and verge
enough for all, an army of fair-haired
and fair-hued laborers-of men who
will work with us, who will vote with
US, and who will, under all circum-
stances, stand firmly by us.
4. We need peace here at the
South. We need peace to retrieve
our broken fortunes and heal our
bleeding wounds. We need peace in
order that the intellectual, moral,
and physical energies of our people
may take nobler channel than that
of war. But I may inquire what
kind of peace is it that we want? We
ask not for that :'peace which passeth
understanding" for that comes only
from crucified Saviour and an ap-
proving conscience. We ask not for
that peace which comes of despotism.
We ask not for that peace which the
hawk gives to the sparrow, nor for
that peace which the wolf gives to
the lamb. We ask not for that peace
which comes OF paralyzed energies
and ruined industries. But we do
ask for that peace which, in its smil-
ing train, brings prosperity and
plenty. We do ask fof that peace
which comes Of redeemed people
and q TJDiOn rostoro6