The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-05-05
S. G.
Tuesday Morning. May 8. 1874.

VIC iaoS NudStoE VI coutukysa q 16SoESai
Of the ordinary laws Of nature, in the
flow of foreign population to the West,
across the barriers of mountain ranges,
valleys and rivers. instead of to the
South, where it originally tended. and
where it could be planted in harmony
with the course of these great natural
land-marks. The influences of the Go
vernment, its natural improvement sys.
tenn, the combination of Eastern oapi-
tai, the sentiment of opposition to
slavery as it existed in the South, and
which was nu.sed and famed ill it be-
came policy and at length crusade,
suffioed to cause to be overlooked its
immense attractions as the home of
civilization and empire. "Go West, +"
became the watoh.word, and its force
was augmented by the construction of
railroads running in that direction, and
of late years intensified by the otlium
generated against the South by the civil
war, and by the repulsive and chaotic
condition of society in which it was left
at its close, not improved certainly by
the working of the Congressional recon
struction scheme. It's state hos been
such as to invite political adventurers
and reckless specplators to come to it,
In order to get control of its govern
ments and plunder it's accumulated re.
sources. But what constituted fruit
ful field for the dishonest few, repeIled
bona 1sde settlers, the conditions OF whose
success in a country new to them, must
be an orderly society and economical
government and the guarantees of sure
and profitable returns for the invest
ment of their means and employment of
their labor.
But these arc not the only causes of
tae discrimination which has taken
place IN the course Of immigration to
Snr disadvantage. In favor Of the West,
a power has been brought to bear az
constant as it was strong. It has not hid
its light under bushel. It has wisely
appreciated the value of immigrants,
and literally used those means and
agencies which have been effectual in
turning them thither. It has employed
every practicable e1pedient abroad and
at home, by agents and emissaries, by
psrsons connected with the diplomatic
and consular service. by publications
and descriptions, to influence the minds
of immigrants, and to give them bias
in their favor, from the start. They
have achieved much by powerful oombi-
nations OF land-holders and land specn-
lating companies with steamship and
railroad lines, and have accomplished
no little by Importantly and solicitation.
In these respects, the South has been
comparatively idle. and. OF course, has
suffered :hs consequences OF tie ;ndiGe.-
ence. It's capabilities of soil, the possi-
BILE varieties of production, the aban-
dance Of its timbers and minerals, the
vastness Of it's water power, the glories
of its unrivalled climate. while they
may be known to the intelligent few,
have not reached the ears of the igno-
rant many. In fact, We have looked on
with apparent nnoonoern, thereby con-
Tossing our inability to influence the
grand stream OF human life which flows
from the old world to the new. We
have even permitted ignorance. preju-
dice and interested motive, which it has
suited some to employ against us, TO
crystallize into systematic misrepresen.
tation, and to become barriers to any
inst consideration by intending immi-
grants OF the advantages which our
country has to Offer them. We act as if
we had abundant faith that Heaven
would bring US out of our troubles; but
Heaven helps only those who help them
selves.
Upon what can we safely rely to i'm.
prove the condition of the Southern
States and give them that development
which will make them strong in mum.
bers, resources, intelligence and poiti-
Cal power? Much could be done by
good government, by the project of