The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-05-14
immigration.


the annexed letter from Hon. w. II. Trcscot,
of Pendleton, which will be read with interest
It is undoubtedly true that the most desirable
class of immigrants will bring intelligence and
CAPITAL with them. This is the real substance
of the present movement, which is intended to
be permanent in its character and to lay the
foundation for steady influx of population IN
the future But it is necessary to offer suffl-
cient inducements to this class of persons be-
fore they will seek permanent homes in our
midst. None will come at the mere asking,
while communities in other sections of the
country are blazoning the advantages of their
soil and climate, and seeking to impress
foreigners with the desirability of loca-
ton amongst them. We must make use of
similar means to effect the same object, and
hence the organization of an immigration
Bureau, with sub-agencies throughout the
State. This organization is not intended to
supplant the labor we now have, whether it be
good, bad or Indifferent, and on this point there
is a wide difference Of opinion among the
farmers who deal almost exclusively with the
colored laborer. Neither is it solely intended
to promote the introduction of day laborers,
whose wandering proclivities are not confined
to any particular nationality, or indeed for that
matter to any section of the habitable globe, so
far as we are informed. But, as we understand
the movement the prime object is to beget the
hearty cooperation of landowners, especially,
in permanent, fixed purpose to increase the
population of our State, and thereby add to its
material wealth and greater development of
its internal resources. This purpose does not
ignore the introduction of skilled, industrious
laborers, whose temporary lodgment in our
midst will only contribute to the necessities of
the hour, nor does it make this an absorbing
feature in the plan of operations. Such are
only incidental results of the organization,
whose chief business will be to perfect the
scheme in such manner as will bring steady
stream of labor capital and intelligence to the
State These are the prime requisites of our
condition, when we consider the progress being
made in other sections. The attainment of
these objects will not conflict with the best
interests of any class Of our present population.
All can heartily unite in promoting the scheme,
for it's beneficial results will be felt Throughout
the State
In pursuance Of these objects, Mr.. Crayton
has rightly sought the advice and assistance of
well-informed and capable citizens, and the
letter of Mr. Trcscot is an evidence that his
efforts will bring to light practical suggestions
and thoughtful comments upon the immigra.
ton movement
HAzLEwooD, NEAR PENDLEToN,
April "a, 1874.
DEAR Mr. GRAFTON: regret that my en-
gagements will prevent my giving you any
very efficient aid in your effort to organize
system of immigration into this County, and
do not think it likely that can make you any
suggestions which your own intelligent and
careful appreciation Of the subject will not
have anticipated.
1 am entirely opposed to allowing this ques-
ton to assume a political color. for one do
not desire to drive out coored labor from
among US. Taking it all in all, it is the very
best labor we could have, and although 1 can
not deny that it has lost some of its efficiency,
I believe that the time is not far distant when
our old friends will recover from the effects of
the political epzootic, which seems at present
to bewilder their brains and to paralyze their
muscles. At any rate, am not willing to at
tempt to suppress q mass of ignorant black
voters by the sudden and forced importation of
a mass of ignorant white ones. We would
only have two evils to contend with instead of
one.
AS far as the surplus of land and the scarci-
ty of labor offer the opportunity to poor and
industrious men to purchase land cheaply, and
induce them to apply their own labor to its
cultivation, am willing to see the opportunity
offered to and used by them. And would not
be too active in forcing an artificial competi-
ton. Such condition of things has for time
its value to those who are wise and thrifty enough
to use it. And although I am sorry to say
that all the evidence goes to show that very
few of the negroes will take advantage Of it,
vet am glad to notice, as you have done, that
there are some who are by prudence and in
dustry making themselves useful and respecta-
BILE citizens / would most carefully avoid
making any impression that we regard their
improvement with anything but satisfaction,
and an earnest desire to encourage it by all the
help in our power to give.
But while this is true, it is equally true that
there is in the County ample room for large
and prosperous immigration, if she immigra-
ton is of that character which brings with it
some intelligence and some capital. The in
PRODUCTION of a few manual laborers, much as
we may want them, will not help us. For in
this fashion they will not come in sufficient
numbers, as we will only get q few scattering
individuals who fall out of the great column
still going steadily westward. Even these Will
not stay, for we are not yet quite prepared for
they cannot speak our language nor we theirs,
and their lives are so isolated and comfortless,
even where we mean and wish to be kind, that
az soon as they make few dollars, they are
clad to seek other portions Of the country
Where they find more companionship and sym
pathy. The sort of work we want is not IA
miliar to them, for very few if any are familiar
with the plow, and cotton planting needs some