The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-08-23
CHARLESTON CORRESPONDENCE.
CHARLESTON, S. c., Aug. 16.


Mr.. EDITOR: For several months past
Charleston, as is usual in the summer
months, has been excessively dull. Busi-
ness has been entirely suspended, and a
spirit of depression has pervaded the
whole community.
AS is invariably the case at such times;
we welcome the introduction Of ahy sub-
.ect Of general interest; and such a mat
ter is sure to meet with much discussion,
and to elicit general comment. That
which has served our purpose on this oc-
casion is what is called "the Liberia
Scheme" This movement was inaugu-
rated on the 4th of July. by mass meet
ing of negroes, at which the leaders Of
the scheme" We're allowed an opportu-
nifty of venting their ardent enthusiasm.
Since then, meetings of less Importance
have been held, at which the attendance
was smaller, and the enthusiasm less,
than on the first occasion. Whether the
plan of wholesale immigration of the
negro race is one, which if consummated,
would meet with results beneficial to the
white portion of the community, is a
question which has elected some differ
ence of opinion. 1t is generally con-
ceded, however, that such an exodus
would be seriously detrimental. 1t is an
undisputed fact that in respect to certain
kinds of labor, the negro is necessity in
the lower portion of the State, and con-
his total departure from among
us would work sa5ious harm to our in
terests. AS far as regards the emmigra-
tion of a portion OF our negro population,
I am firmly convinced that any plan
which would bring about that result,
would meet with merited consideration /;
provided good judgment could be used in
determining who should be sent to
Liberia, or anywhere else. Could any
scheme be devised which would take
from us that class of negroes-by no
means small one-whose only visible
mode of employment consists in stirring
up strife between white and black men,
and in engrafting into the disposition of
the latter an enmity towards their white
fellow-citizens, which I believe does not
exist by nature, we would hail it as a
much needed blessing, and it would not
fail of support from white men, nor even
from the better class of colored men.
But under our new government this has
become an era of reconciliation; and it
will be the opinion, believe, of thought
full men, that the best course to be pur-
sued now, is that of offering to any ne
groes who are willing to aid in the work
of redeeming the State, reasonable in
ducements to remain with us. The pros
perity and happiness of the two races is,
and always will be, in measure recipro-
cal and our restoration to good fortune
will be more perfect one, if we can sue
ceed in making the negro a useful and
contented element in our affairs. As far
as concerns the welfare of the negro him
self, if this "scheme" could accomplish
all that is claimed for it, the deluded
creature would never need heaven
other than that offered to him in Liberia.
The picture of that happy land as paint
ed for them resembles in some respects
the heaven of Mahomet. All is serene
and pleasant there, and all poor cuffy has
to do is to plant crop once in fourteen
years, and reap two crops in each year
So far, however, the plan has assumed
no definite shape. 1t is true that a
large number of persons have signed
their names to the immigration roll, and
that a committee has been endeavoring to
raise subscriptions; but there appears to
be no one able or willing to step to the
front and assume the responsibility OF
leadership. The chief of the emmigra-
ton party here seems to have been one
Geo. Curtis, negro, who formerly lived
in another country, but who has been
loafng around the city ever since the
time of the Ellenton trial; upon which
occasion he played the distinguished role
of "Corbin juror" and entirely filled
the bill as such. Serious imputations
have recently been cast upon Mr.. Curtis
character; and he has already lost favor
with the better class of his people. Maj.
M. R. Delaney has taken prominent
part in the "scheme." This man, as is
known all over the State, is specimen
of an educated negro; but be is wholly
impractical. His advocacy of the
"scheme" is prophetic of much talk and
but little work. Undoubtedly he means
we'll, but is too visionary to ensure the
success of any undertaking in which he
embarks as a prominent figure. Many
colored people on the adjacent Islands,
as am informed by good authority, have
added their names to the list of emmi-
grants. These are the simplest and least
educated of this people, and are, there
fore, more easily led into embracing the
delusive fancy. AS I said above, the
plan has not assumed any definite shape,
for want of leaders and means. Nor will
it ever arrive at any degree of success.
The effort is ill-tin,ed and injudicious,
and am of the opinion that the advice
of the more respectable and intelligent of
the colored people will prevail, in favor
of an entire abandonment of the idea by
the masses, and an earnest and contented
effort to aid in the good work so auspi-
ciously begun in the State. ! have to-