Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-12

most remunerative to the land holder
and to the laborer, and the wealth Of
the country viii most surely. be IN
creased by adopting it generally.
1t is bad fnaneiering that has
brought so many farmers and other
citizens into debts which are trouble
some. if not rninous. Very few under
stand the present situation Of South
ern agriculture. DIR. james, the Geor-
gia Commissioner, has evidently inves-
tigated the subject with due regard to
facts and inexorable mathematics.
Hear him:
In all parts Of the State where the
farm is depended upon for the support
Of the family, where it is owned by
white people who cultivate their lands
with their own labor, outdoor work is
not disdained by the adult females, nor
are the children exempt fromtheir pro-
per share Of labor. But it really seems
that IN Georgia. field labor is regarded
by the colOred population as degrading
to negro women and their younger
children, even though that labor is be-
slowed upon their own crops.
And they further show that the aver
age time engaged, Of those who do
work, is about four and a half days in
week; that the average effectiveness
value of this labor, compared with
of 1860, is about 90 per cent; and
they still further show, with remarka-
bic unanimity, that negro labor Is not
self sustaining, and not adding to the
substantial and permanent values Of the
State.
The general testimony is, that they
are not willing to make rails, buildahd.
repair fences, dig or clean out bitches,
or make necessary farm improvements
which are Of a more permanent charac-,
ter even for extra compensation, fire.
quently refusing to do such work at
very remunerative wages; and very o.
ten unwilling to comply with their plain
contracts.
These significant facts, obtained in
the way before named, are Unly briefly
mentioned. Afull and careful digest
of the responses to this circular will be
made IN a short time, and given to the
country. l consider this information
very valuable. 1t "a from those
who know the facts whereof they speak,
and are fully competent In the premi-
ses. 1t is the verdict of a candid, IN
telligent and competent Jury, and fully
establishes the truth of the state
ments.
This is a delicate subject to handle,
but it has TO be met in the near future,
and our readers should fortify them
selves with information that they may
act wisely and successfully in all that
relates to agriculture, their social and
political interests. The Caucasian
guardianship which once rendered At
rican bone, muscle and brain valuable
as an industrial power in the planting
States, is lost forever. Now the work
ing machine guides itself, and labors,
like the horse and the OK before the
pillow, when the plowman is in another
field. Renting land to the African
race is a part Of the same great error
which makes negroes s~overeigns over
Presidents, Congress and all State laws.
This lamentable mistake, if continued,
is bound to destroy the fruitfulness of
soil. The system is the soul
Of all w~astefulness and improvidence,
tending directly to poverty and suffer
ing. Free African America gravitates
toward the desert of Sahara by a natu-
raj law which no human power can re-
pei, or long resist. Fighting the laws
God is a poor business by honest,
Woodworking farmers, and dishonest,
strong governments. What the negro is
in Hayti, Mexico, Central America and
Africa, he Will be in the Southern
States. What force within his free
viii, his God-given constitution, can
make him an entirely different being?