The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-02
The only Way to. Secure White rmmi-
grafton.

4 Hnc only NAy ocCuto ssAAAso
grafton.
| 1t is the fashion in South Carolina, espe-
cially among the hired supporters OF the
Scott Ring, to declare that telling the truth
/ Is m injury to the State, and that any ex-
/ posure OF the corrupt extravaganza and be-
sotted ignorance of the present administra-
tion repels the willing immigrant, besides IN
terferiug, in various ways. with the peaceful
progress Of trade. This sort Of talk may
suit persons who have share in the public
spoils, and gain more in that way than they
are likely to lose BY unequal laws and bur-
densome taxation. But it is our intention
to tell the truth, and the whole truth, from
beginning to end. Nothing shall be cover
ed up or hidden from sight. And this, we
firmly believe is the wisest course, as it is
the only honest course, for the people to
adopt.
In natural advantages this State has few
superiors. South. Carolina is rich in mine-
halls, and her fertile soil produces nearly
every plant and tree and fruit which are
found in the temperate zone. This is the
home OF cotton and rice; grain Of all kinds
can be produced in abundance; the olive, the
tea plant, the mulberry, and o host OF other
denizens OF distant Asia may find in South
Carolina new and genial home. Land we
have in profusion, and with the exception OF
the tide-water region, the whole State is as
healthful for white labor as can he desired.
The people offer to the immigrant gene
rous and warm invitation. They propose to
sell their lands at low rates. The railroads
issue tickets at reduced price to all who
come to buy land And, with all these ad-
vantages, the tide OF immigration passes
over and beyond us; we obtain no more than
beggarly drop Of the vast food Of trained
and trustworthy labor.
It is argued, and with great force, that it
will take many years to convince either
Northerners or Europeans, ip large numbers,
that .lit.ils to their interest to settle In the
South. The immigration system Of the West
is we'll organized and old established. The
men who have branched out from New Eng
land, or from Ireland or from Germany, and
have BEEN successful, use their best endear-
ors to persuade their relations and theirl
friends. Ito come out West and join hands
with them. This is only natural. The la
borer who knows, by touch and sight, that
cousin Tom, or uncle Dick, or brother Harry,
Is thriving in Minnesota, or on the Pacific
slope, cannot be persuaded to make new
venture for himself in that terra incognita-
the South. ''To the West !" is the cry now,
as it was ten years ago; and we may rest as
sured that the Western agents, who know
the money value to their States OF every In
dustrious immigrant, will not halt at triaes
in laboring to strengthen the impression that
the Southern States are only prolific in ne
groes, rattlesnakes and yellow fever.
All the prejudice against the South, all
the prepossession in fevor of the West, WILL
in, the course OF tine, DC overcome. This is
certain. It mas take FIVE years, or ten
years, or twenty years; but the time will
come when the Southern States will have
as many of the best class OF white immi-
grants as can he proftably employed, or as
can find cheap and comfortable homes. And
the problem for the people OF South Carroll
ma to solve is this, How shall the State be
put in position to secure her share OF the
immigration driblets which now trickle down
to the South and, no less important, How
shall South Carolina put herself in position
to command her rightful proportion OF the
mighty tide OF labor, when, in later years, it
fairly sets this way? The solution OF this
question is found in two words-PoIIrIcAL
REFORM.
While the State debt is increased four mil
lion dollars in two years; while one-tenth OF
the area Of !. whole county-as in Fairfield
is advertised for sale for unpaid taxes; while
property depreciates in value, and is taxed
upon an assessed price much higher than 1t
would bring in the market; while debt is
| 40 burdensome in Charleston the
people cry despairingly for relief in any
shape, even in the shape OF Reputation !;
while the expenses ofthe government mount
higher and higher every year; while officials
grow rich and the people grow poor; while
swarms OF office-holders plupler and oppress
the State; while our whole State Government
| is declared by dispassionate observers to be
ssa disgrace to civilization" while these
things are, and cannot be denied how can
we expect any sensible white man, any i'm
migrant worth having, to come down here
and settle in the State? In Virginia, or in
Georgia, he can find welcome as he can
here; and there, at all events, his property
is safe, and he need not fear that taxes will
eat up all his profits and swallow up his little
property. Unless we Reform the State Gov
ernment so that the public affairs may be
administered with intelligence, with integri-
! ty and with economy, we cannot obtain
white immigrants to develop and increase
the wealth Of the State For this reason,
alone, every man who is anxious to see white
immigrants come down among us must, OF
necessity, be supporter Of the Union Re
form party. Every argument IN favor OF
white immigration, and there are many, is a
/ q 4