The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-07-23
How Honest Settler. are Received.

:, "uhoAo0 Ac1tcT, SbyS tu6 bAlClmOr6
Sun, in regard to South Carolina, its
people, their disposition and prospects,
IS interesting, aud gives refutation to
much that has been alleged against the
people OF that State in Justification of
the continued prosecutions practiced to-
wards them. It is from O gentleman
who is Republican in politics. and not
a native OF South Carolina but of Mary
land, who, being a Unionist during the
war, has since made his home in South
Carolina:
Columbia. s. c., May 81, 1872.
Vim. L. Southard, Esq.-DEAR SIR:
Your letter of the 18th Instant reached
me several days ago, and would have re-
ccelved an earlier attention, but for press
inn official engagements. 1 am glad to
nave an opportunity to give my views
briefly on the several subjects mentioned
In your letter. And first as to the cli-
mate here. 1t is mild and salubrious. I
do not think it surpassed in these re.
spects anywhere on this continent. Pro-
fessor nj. LaBorde, in his Physiology,
while speaking of climate and mineral
waters, says: ut will be gratifying to
the Southern community to know that
we have in the States of South Carolina.
North Carolina aud Georgia as fine cli. /.
mate, perhaps, as can be found in the
world, and mineral waters which will
compare favorably with those of the
highest celebrity" Diseases generally
are of q much milder form than they are
In the more Northern attitudes, and
many diseases that are very prevalent
and very fatal in the North are almost
entirely unknown here. ana certain
that neither consumption, pneumonia,
pleurlsy, nor any of the forms of ca
tarrh, nor rheumatic and neuralgia affec-
tions. are anything like as prevalent or
as severe here as they are in colder eli
mates, and of course far less fatal.
AS to the effect OF the climate of this
locality upon Northern people who settle
here, can best answer that question by
stating that there are about fifty North
ern families living in Columbia, who
have settled here since the close of the
late war, and am sure I am safe in saw
ing there has not been over half dozen
deaths in these families since their resi-
dence here. Nay, there is less sickness
in Northern families residing here than
there is in the families of the natives.
Whether this is because Northern people
bring with them healthier systems and
residents possess, thus enabling them
the better to resist disease, or whether
there Is something in the habits of the
Northman that gives him an advantage
In this respect over the Southron "to the
manor born," 1 am not prepared to say;
the fact, however, is none the less true.
whatever may be the explanation of it.
MY experience and observation, there
IN
mate OF this region is fully as friendly to
the stranger as it is to the native.
Now, as to the personal safety of
Northern men who settle here. This is
subject embracing such wide field of
circumstances that might dilate upon
1t almost to endless extent. But so much
has already been said in this connection
In the newspapers, pro and con-, by poll
tlolans, Tor political effect, that the peo-
pie have learned to look with suspicion
upon everything that is said upon this
subject, and to take the honest views of
unpreJudlced minds as mere political
clap-trap, that l forbear to say more than
that l have lived here nearly six years,
have mingled as much, perhaps more,
with the people than any other Northern
man here; have met with gentlemen
from every part OF the State. many Of
whom were most earnest in their sup.
port OF the Confederate cause. having
sacrificed their entire fortunes upon the
altar OF their political faith. and I have
not heard single expression, with one
or two exceptions, that might be con-
strued into opposition to honest, re-
spectacle Northern men settling here
have tried to be an impartial observer
and from all the data that have been
able to collect, my logic forces me to the
conclusion that an honest man, oe he
Jew or Gentle, come from where he may,
and whatever be his creed, who tries to
make al honest living in decent way
through any of the multitudinous
legitimate avenues of business, is Just as
safe here from personal violence as he
would be in Massachusetts, or New York.
1 know that there have been rnany
outrages and acts of violence committed
here of late, but these difficulties are
purely political. The people of the
South have not been able to reconcile
themselves to the new order of things
here. They cannot believe that it is
right and just and most promotive of
the public good that the ignorant, the
illiterate and the corrupt should make
and administer the laws, while the intel.
ligent and educated pay the taxes-bear
all the expenses of the State, withou.
having any voice in the Administrations