The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-05-23
Letter from Senator Robertson.

Letter from Senator Robertson.
The following letter, addressed by Senator
To Robertson to the Agricultural Conven-
ton lately in session in this city, was mad
vertently passed over:
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER
WASHINGTON. April 20, 1869.
To the Delegates Of the State Agriculturat Con-
rention, to be held at Colun,bia, s. c., on
the 28th instant. a.
GENTLEMEN: Observing n notice or call
1or convention of our State, the object Of
which is announced to be the promotion of
its agricultural interests, + hasten to tender
TO the Convention my hearty approval of
the movement. I deem it of moro signifi-
cant Importance than any other assemblage
that could be made.
The material interests of our State-in
other words, the increase of our means
whereby the people of the commonwealth
may be able to add to their substance-is
reconstruction of the Southern States that
can possibly be desired. Had the power
to shape the political mind of South Caro-
lima, the platform would be a material or
industrial policy. T should consult the
ways and means whereby the largest result
might be obtained in housing, feeding and
clothing the population, educating the chill
dren, and acquiring the wherewithal to set
them up In life when grown to manhood
and womanhood. This, if carried out, would
be most certain to result in the largest de-
gree of social and political content. It
would be platform upon which every sensi-
Die citizen, of whatever race, color or pre-.
vlous condition, could sympsthize with
every other citizen. L have often thought
that, IN case our population, instead of in
dulg1ng In past theories. or moping over the
changes of our industrial arrangements,
could, be persuaded to adopt q material
policy, and make the increase of produc-
uon and the more vigorous developments of
our resources, the absorbing political idea,
we would not only increase the wealth Of
the State, in a manifold degree, but super
sede almost Immediately the acerbity of
temper that springs out Of that species of
partyism that aims at mere preferment to
ofhce. There is nothing so much desire
as; as common platform on which the popu-
lat1on In the State can stand together, work
together, vote together, with full and cer-
tain knowledge that all are laboring for the
mutual aud common benefit Two or three
years since, it was asserted, in one of the
most influential Journals of New England.
that "the leading statesmen of America
would hereafter come from the South. >"
Pardon in me tho ambition that this
prophecy should be fulfilled. That it will
Our condition is such that il will comma,
us toa course of public and private economy.
which Is the starting point of healthy thrift.
Al the North, there has been q seeming
plethora Of wealth, but attended with sucG
contrlvances for disparity in its distribution.
as 10 create Widespread discomfort amopo
the producing classes. In the South. we
ere less subject to the processes that in the
North are bleeding the producing industries
Tor the benefit of non-producing capital.
In the South, after the war, we started Door.
put have been growing richer. In the
North, the people Started seemingly ricli.
olt, with the exception of favored class,
the common people are having their sub
stahce stance, eaten out under II system of false
puonc economy, and are growing poorer.
1t will behoove the South to avoid imitation
OF the Vlclous arrangements in the business
Feiauons that are how depicting the indus.
tries OF the North. On one subject, I deem
1t my duty to speak frankly; it should be
made the settled practical policy of every
Southern State to invite, by the most sig
nificant liberality, the producers of the
North. Let it be known and demonstrated
that this class will be welcomed. fellowship.
ped and respected, and we shall have the
Industrial classes fror, the North and from
Europe by the millions. South Caroline.
like the other States of the South. must be
the artlticer of its own fortunes. It has it
IN lts power to attract population of the
most useful character. 1t is needless To GO y
that the Southarn State. which is most
liberal In Its generous courtesy to such as
may come among us, will be soonest on the
road OF great and permanent prosperity. I
hope 1t Will not be deemed ont OF place for
me 10 urge the necessity for intoxicating a