The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-03

are other differences to the State, scarcely less
important in an economical view, all in favor of
the free laborer. Whatever the cotton producing
States expended for slaves above the cost of I'M
porting an equal amount Of free labor power was
twice lost to the community.
Reckoning the slaves in the cotton States prior
to 1861 at 100000 in number. OF the average
nominal value OF $500, equal to 1000, 600 full
hands, at $500 each, we had an investment OF
s150O O00, 900; and to replenish this force large
sum- much needed for other uses, was annually
drawn from the gains Of those States.
II, in 1860, the people, by unanimous consent,
had declared the emancipation of all those slaves,
whether with or without compensation to those
who had owned their service, there would nave
been neither loss nor gain TO the community, eX-
cept as the change might increase or di-
minish the efficiency OF labor or the cost OF It's
maintenance There would have been no IAN
initiation Of property" for the whole labor power
would have remained as before, only it would
have changed owners.
While 1t Is undoubtedly true that free labor is
always cheaper than slave labor, when each Is
under its most favorable conditions, the demon
stration OF that truth needs more favorable cir
cumstanceS than were found in the years 1866
1867. 1t was not until 1868, thethird season OF
the free-labor experiment, that it became gene
rally successful in its operations and results.
Then improvement appeared, and the harvest,
abundantly supplying the people with cheap food,
leaves q surplus stored up for the future. The
profit arising from the sale Of eXportable produc-
tions OF the same season will amount 10 $780,
900, 900; and q reasonable forecast OF the future
seems promise of equal gain in some OF the sue
ceeding years. the increase of quantity compen-
sating for any reduction OF price,
The annual gain be il fifty millions or two hun
dred and fifty million, is no longer to be wasted
in the purchase OF labor, when as good, or better
will be obtained without purchase: yet the capl-
tai must be employed and will seek investment.
For some years very little will be needed in open
ing fresh lands, Of which there Is already too
much open for the labor applicable to It, After
meeting the demands Of agriculture 1t will seek
other profitable uses, as in banking, railroads,
manufactures, machine shops, and the other &C
tive employmentS which capital nnds lot ltseH.
Prominent among the improvements that OF re-
constructing the leveeS and retaining the most
fertile of cotton and cane lands should be one II
the first, and rightly conducted one OF the most
profitable for the employment Of money.
WANT OF LABoRERs.
Now that capital is returning into the cotton
States the great want there will he labor, better
use Of what they have and more Of 1t, TO extend
their profitable agricultural business, yet carry
forward the other works which VIII be required
So far the prevailing conditions in the South have
not been attractive TO immigrants. Poor crops,
dear food, destitution OF the common laborer,
and these evils too often aggravated by disorder
and violence were reported during the years
1866 and 1867.
The prosperity OF 1868 stands in marked con-
trast to the adversities Of the two years preced-
ing. similar prosperity repeated In succeed
ing years, until it shall be regarded as the rule
and not the exception, supported by assurance OF
peace and safety, will turn the tide OF emigration
freely from the Northern States and from Europe 10
the cotton growing States During the present year.
the Pacific Railroad will be completed and open
ed, highway by which the Chinese and other
coolies or Asatic laborers may reach the cotton
fields OF the United States. They are industrious,
frugal, quiet and numerous.