The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1869-08-04
Correspondence Of Southern
Enterprise.
SeRrNaroRT, PoNoLA Co., Miss.,
July 22d, 1869.

SfhiNSfOhl, ONOLA w., MlsS., 4
July 22d, 1869.
-MeaSrs. Editors-Since I wrote
you a week or two ago, we have
had number of very spirited
meetings in various sections of this
County relative to the introduction
of the Chinese Coolies as laborers
for the production of cotton
There is considerable diversity of
opinion as to the wisdom and pro-
priety of the movement - some
contending one way and others ex-
actly the reverse. For myself, 1
may observe, that there is a great
deal to be said on both sides of the
question. One fact, however, is
patent-clearly selfevident to my
mind-and that is, they will not
prove half as profitable to the peo-
pie of the South as the majority of
those advocating their introduction,
seem to think. In the first place,
should we import any large num-
Der of them, and the result prove
as anticipated, a rivalry between
them and the negro in the produc-
tion of cotton, another equally cer-
tain fact. or result follows, to wit:
Great reduction IN the price of cot.
ton. Our people are never sensi-
bic enough to let well enough alone,
and are too lazy and indolent (in
truth) to profit by the advantages
which God and nature gives them.
We are now realizing $50 millions
of money for two million bales of
cotton, q use round, but az proxi-
mate numbers.) far more than we
ever realized for four millions bales
in the palmiest days of slavery
Now, let us introduce Chinese
and utilize their labor, enough to
reach the same amount of produc-
ton asin the days of slavery, and
we at once reduce the price of cot
ton from 80 and 35 cents to 10
cents per pound, to say nothing of
the moral, religious and political
aspect of the question. And to
whom, pray, does the benefit of
cheap cotton and large production
inure9--to the spinner, or in 9th
er words, the manufactures, of
course, and never to the planter.
The whole scheme has originated
with the New England manufac-
tnrer-the people OF the North
those people, par excellence, the
friend OF the emancipated negro,
at least who claim to be-and this
is one of the innumerable schemes
which these people, 80 fruitful in
resources and schemes of every
kind, will yet resort to to prove
their friendship for their fiat riosed,
kinky-headed allies and subjects.
They have tried them and found
that their lazy, indolent, wilful dis
positions and temper with a few
honorable exceptions) are not .sus-
ceptible of any high degree of cul-
ture or Improvement or if 30,
they are. too worthless to develop
it, and they are determined to in
augurate a policy which will ex.
terminate them for be Il said to
the eternal credit of the Yankee,
they cannot tolerate long an idle,
slothfnl, wilfnlly lazy and worth.
less race. In this respect we mnst
confess them, by far, our own gu.
pcriors, and well might we learn
lessons from them in Industry, per.
severance and energy of character
Would TO God our people could be
taught to do so, and we would
soon hear no more Of the want OF
laborers, or immigration schemes,
beyond those to bring in the har.
az laborers of our own race from
the oyercrowded cities and ham.
lets OF the old world !; or, more ac
curately speaking, from, civilized
Europe. If our own people
would 90 to work with a win. de
termined not only to make liv.
ing but to mako fortunes, that re
suit would be more than half ac
compiisEed The moment that will
and determination became Hxed
and common. Ills ali . stuff and
Nonsense ? to gay that the whit.
maa cannot cultfvate and rais,
cotton saccessfully, except in {