Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-03-26
agricultural department.
CHANGE NEEDED.

That man must be either very dull or a
very careless observer, who does not see that
things are in tangled condition in South
Carolina. The people of our State are exten-
sively engaged in agriculture, or to speak
more correctly, agriculture is the only avoca-
ton of the people. Notwithstanding this fact,
the people are by no means skilled agricul-
turists. To say that no system of tilling the
soil has been adopted by the people, would be
saying too much because, for, perhaps, a
century, there has been in existence system
of farming which is rigidly, except in a few
isolated cases, scattered over the State, prac-
ticed to-day by all clases of people, We cam
not better describe that system than by saying,
that it is system of destruction. A large
farmer in South Carolina resembles an Eng
lish lord in one particular. Both have large
farms. There is this great difference. An
English farm is cultivated in the best possible
manner. The land itself is regarded as valu-
able property. Every means is resorted to in
order to increase its fertility. In South Car
olina, land is not regarded as permanent prop
erty. 1t is considered property for so long a
period Of years as it can be worn out and rem
dered unproductive' In all the cotton grow
ing States the idea of wearing out the soil
seems to be prevalent. A farmer buys plan.
tation with the determination of wearing it
out, and then buys another and treats it in the
same way. 1t was possible once, when labor
was property, to carry on this system of de-
struction but at present it is impossible. Ev-
cry thing seems to indicate the necessity ofa
change in the system of farming in this State.
Any man who will make an examination of
the farms of the State generally, will discover
that the houses, fences, and in fact, improve
ments of all kinds, are in dilapidated condi-
ton. This is not all. For several years fine
crops have been made, and fair prices realized,
and yet money is scarce, and times are hard.
Every year seems to increase the PRESSURE and
bring US nearer the point of breaking down.
Ifthe present system continues to be practiced
for a few years, startling results will be made.
Vast numbers of men will be forced to pass
through an ordeal that tries mems souls. A
large amount of property will change hands,
and that, too, under circumstances by no means
pleasant.
The change necessary, is simply that each
individual conform to the new condition of
things. The negro is free, and is using his
freedom in such a way that it is of but little
advantage to the State, and less to himself.
He has politics and Office on the brain, and
rags on his back, and emptiness in his stom-
ach Both the negro and his former master
have mistaken the meaning of the word free
dom. The whole country is experiencing the
consequences of this mistake The property
holder must learn that he is dependent upon
the laboring class, and the laboring class
must learn that it is dependent upon the prop
erty holder. This radical change is absolute
ly necessary to the prosperity Of the country.
1t is of far more Importance than politics.
So soon as this change is made, change in
politics will take place.