The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-02-02
What Does this Country Need?

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Every one, who has reflected at all upon the
condition of things which exists in this coun-
try at present, sees, and feels, and knows, that
something is needed that the resources of the
country may be fully developed
The constitutional grumbler may be ready to
reply: There are no resources to develop.
The whole State is nothing less than prison
in the eyes of such an Individual, and the
sooner the inmates can break Jail and escape,
the better it will be for them, according to the
Judgment of the disconsolate grumbler.
The man of sound and sober reflection will
take common sense view of the whole affair,
and will not be slow in concluding that all we
need in this counrry, to be made comfortable,
if not rich, is that the resources be properly
deyeloped. There is no sort of doubt but
there is gold in abundance in this old country
vet. 1t is not in deep veins in the earth,
amongst huge layers of rock, which must be
blasted. 1t lies near the surface and only re-
ouires the skillful use of the plow and the hoe
to get it in possession.
The thing we need most in this country is
more inhabitants. By inhabitants, We do not
mean tenters or squatters, who expect to camp
in the country few years. We mean indi-
viduals who expect to make this country their
home, and to live and die here, and at last to
be buried in its soil. BY no other class of men
can the resources of country be developed.
The man who is welded to the soil by no
other tie than the prospective gains OF few
years, never thinks of development any further
than the welfare of the whole contributes to
his present income. Such an individual makes
no arrangement for the future prosperity of the
community in which he dwells for the time.
His expectations are to aggrandize himself by
J.. XIV Eba
of increasing his own resources and those OF
the country, by saving and improving the soil
upon which he lives, never enters his mind.
| Ruin and dcsolation follow such individuals.
Their course is marked by destruction. OF
this class of persons we have quite enough.
We need, however, thrifty and industrious in
habitants.
1t is sad to say it, but it is no SANDER to say,
that large number of the present tenants OF
southern soil are idle and thriftless. This is,
| perhaps, true of every country to some extent ;
but it is true of our country to an alarming de-
gree. All over the South there is a class of
persons who have been guided and directed in
all their efforts by another class. This class is,
by the force of early education, dependent
upon those whom they have been accustomed
to control. Both these classes are in q sad pre-
dicanent. The only apparent redemption for
either, and both is self-reliance. Whether
these classes will ever work in concert or not,
is yet to be proven. One thing, however, is
true The class that is most industrious and
thrifty will make the greatest developments,
and if the other class remains idle, it will ul-
timately dwindle away and be no more.
ALI that this country needs, to make it one
of the most desirable places on earth, is q
thrifty and energetic population. The soil and
climate, especially of the upper counties of tile
State of South Carolina are such as to meet
the desires of him whose only craving is
wealth, whilst the natural scenery is so grandly
picturesque as to fill poets soul with raptu-
rous delight We have no disposition to make
predictions; but we are impressed with the
idea, that by proper management, the State OF
South Carolina will. at no distant day, be re-
garded as one of the most desirable places on
the continent 1t is pleasant, at least, to think
that such will be the case: and should itprove
to be dream never to be realized, it does no
harm at present, but is a real good.
One thing is beyond all controversy true: no
man ever did much for himself or his country
by folding his hands in idlencss and complain
ing of hard times. We have less need for the
idler and gentleman of leisure than for any
thing else The duty of such individuals is to
pull off their coats and 60 to work. If they
will not do this, the sooner they leave, the bet
ter it will be for the country. Their departure
will be hailed as a public good With their
exodus scarcity of corn will leave the land,
and whether the price of cotton be high or
low, money will be plenty YorkriHc Enqui-
rer.