The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-03-17
For tho Phmnix.

For the Phaonfx.
Mr.. EDITOR: In your issue of the 9th
instant, while noticing editorially an
article on immigration, you invite free
expression of views on that subject from
others. This has long been to me
matter Of anxious solicitude, and would
be 10th to say anything in the least de-
gree discouraging to any practical scheme
for its promotion. But, sir, it is my
conviction that the proposition contained
in the article referred to, is altogether i'm
practicable, and fails to meet the neces-
sites of the case. Count the cost of
carrying out that plan, on scale suf1i-
GENTLY broad to secure great and imme-
diate results, and you will see how i'm
practicable it is. But my objection is,
if carried out, it would not accomplish
the object in view. Our country does
not now need the Introduction, to large
extent, of such laborers as contemplated
in the "plan." You could not keep
them here, if brought, because your
planters and farmers cannot afford 10
pay the wages required to do SO. I'm
port 10000 European laborers to-mor-
row, and before o twelfth month had
passed 5000 will have foated off to other
States where higher wages are paid than
we can possibly afford. We certainly
had an abundance of labor in 1866.
Where has it gone? Much of it to the
West and Southwest. Why could we
not retain it? Because the Western
planter offered higher wages than We
could give. And will not the same
causes operate to draw from us our i'm
ported foreign laborers? Assuredly. To
Keep your immigrant laborerers after you
import them, you will have to pay them
from $40 to $15 per month and rations,
and this you cannot do. I will agree to
furnish any planter with as much labor
as he wants. if he will pay the price such
labor will command elsewhere. Again,
the plantation system, the perpetuation
of which seems to be contemplated in
the proposition for introducing largely,
foreign labor, however profitable and
practicable with negroes, will, dare
affirm, in nine cases out Of every ten,
prove failure with European laborers.
am familiar with several Instance where
the trial was fairly made and resulted in
each disastrously. do not believe the
plantation system can be carried on sue
cessfully with aohite labor, either native
or foreign. No, sir. If you need
nought but hordes of laborers to till
your broad fields, then would say John
Chinaman is the boy for your purpose.
And who believes that his advent would
not work woe to the commonwealth?
What South Carolina needs, and must
have, for the speedy securement of her
political regeneration, her social pros
perity and happiness, and for the sure
promotion of u steady material develop
ment and advancement, is heavy immi-
grafton Of aOhite men Of some means, with
their families, from the North, or Eu-
rope, or anywhere, who will settle down
as farmers, either in tenancy or in free
hold. All the rest, mechanics, artisans,
this, / think, most will agree. That
been clearly demonstrated in your cdito-
rial columns for months past. Now, the
vital question is. how can we obtain
snch Immigrants? They will not come
here to buy our lands; because they can
procure better elsewhere, much more
cheap]y. How, then, can we induce
them to come? can see but one possible
solution. By The donation Of homesteaolS.
If the land holders of South Carolina are
ready and willing 10 donate a portion of
their broad but idle acres to actual set
tiers, and ariN ITO so, then may we hope
to see the tide of heathful immigration
flowing in upon our shores, and our
Stnte advancing along the highway to
worldly prosperity and greatness. If
they will not do this, then must we lin
ger in the protracted winter of our dis
content" until the slow lapse of long
and weary years shall work out ICON
| summation so devoutly to be wished"
Land-holders of South carolina, will yo
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