The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-08-11
t, Ths Labor Problem.

Z f.
The negroes of the South, stimulated
thereto by their ultri. radical allies of the
North, show symptoms of alarm in con-
sequence of the threatened competition
by laborers from China. A pretentious
humanitarian, demand has been set up on
behalf OF the negroes that they shall be
treated IN all respects as the white mans
peers, bis equals in the field, the work
shop. the political arena, and the social
CIRCLE, To large extent this demand
has been enforced through coersive legis-
lation. and the still more coersive bayo-
net. against the, protest of an unwilling
people. For d yeaT of SO, Sambo re-
gardsd himself as master of the South
ern situation. He had been called from
the corn field, the stable or the pantry to
take his seat in the Legislative halls, and
perform the highest functions Of execu-
tive authority over those whom formerly
he served in every menial capacity. In
truth, he regarded himself as the bone
and sinew of the land, and the phrase
''poor white trash" which he SO freely
and contemptuously applied in his days
OF bondage, became enlarged in its sig
nihcance 80 as to embrace every white
man, woman and child within the limits
OF the State, and his use of it was no
ANSo Sohso&lP PuoOuo Uudu IL WIS D6IOI6.
An agrarian spirit penetrated through
the thickness of his Uranium. The
wealth of the land he regarded MS the
product of his toll, and he determined
that it should be parcelled out, and he
would cultivate the rich plantations in
future, il at all, for his own behoof and
benefit.
But this dream Of his is now inter-
rupted. The coming man from Asia
meets him face to face. Leaving the
old civilization Of centuries behind him,
the Asiatic comes to our shores-as the
Africans came aud the Europeans come
TO better an unsatisfactory condition.
This, be it remembered, is s'the land of
the free"-s'the home of the exile'-
there is room for all, and all are well
come. Truly it may be said, as the New
York Herald few days since did say,
the Republican who refuses 10 extend
the hand of encouragement and welcome
to his brother from China, is "illogical
and inconsistent. II this be 80, as far
as the white Republican is concerned,
how much more emphatically is it so
with regard to the black. Against Cau-
casian prejudice, which existed with
scarcely q shadow Of change for ages,
he has been insolently persistent in his
demand for equality and fraternity; and
II he, semi-barbarian, and just released
from the thraldom of slavery, be fit to
meet the white man, with his centuries
OF civilization, on equal terms, how
much better fitted for that proud posi-
tion is the patient and industrious repre-
sentative of civilization which dates
back far beyond the Christian era!
China was q land of enlightenment
when Europe was the home of the rude
barbarian, and if Europe has since then
passed her in the race, it is because the
ultimate capacity of the Asiatic, like that
of the African, has definite limit, es-
peoially when confined within the boun-
darles OF his native land. He wants
room for expansion. He comes here for
the enjoyment Of a larger liberty than is
possible in the overcrowded country in
which he happened to be born, and he is
Certainly entitled, on the score of hu-
narity, il not of christianity, to NIL the
courtesles and privileges extended to new
comers from other sections. II the white
man is willing to welcome the Asiatic.
surely the negro should be.
He is not yet 80 for removed from the
house of bondage as to be warranted in
putting on insolent, aggressive and pro-
soriptive airs. The opposition to the
Chinese in California is confined, as the
Herald says, to "the niger worshipping
radicals" The spirit of their opposition
is based on the old Native American,
Know-Nothing, Puritanical Shibboleth:
To saints OF Heaven is empire given,
And we alone are saints.
They want the country for themselves.
and do not wish even Celestials to come
in with them and enjoy it. The price
and profits of labor they claim as their
exclusive right, and they, consequently,
raise selfish, defiant and proscriptiye
hand against any one whose wants are
simpler, whose demands are more rea-
sonable, and whose natural rights to the
soil are just as great as theirs.
We take it for granted that the over
ruling care Of Providence, as exhibited
in the history of this continent from the
time OF its discovery to the present day,
will not now be turned aside by the impo-
tent endeavors of Sambo and his radical
allies. The Asiatic will come in, as the
African has, to share the feast of fatness
reserved for the older nations of the
globe since the march of time began.
The garner is full; there is wine upon
the lees, and the cattla On tJ,o,ean5