The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-01-27
The Labor Question.


In a recent interview with the Washington
correspondent Of the New York Uernl9 Sena-
tor Butler is reported to have said that the
condition Of The South would be greatly i'm
proved by the migration of large proportion
of the negroes to other States that the blacks
are too numerous to do we'll, and that South
Carolina would be more prosperous and adj
vancing State if half of her present colored
population should cmigrate to other sections Of
The Union,
The Charleston NcwS and Courier dsagrees
with Senator Butler, and has ''propounded
certain leading questions" on the subject to
its correspondents in the different counties in
the State. Correspondents from Sumter,
Barnwell, Orangeburg, Darlington and Spar
tanburg have sent in their replies sustaining
the views Of the Ne,Cs and Courier. This was
to be expected, for the views of regularly Sc
lected correspondents are expected to coincide
upon all leading questions with those of their
journal. In it's comments upon what its corr
respondents have said, the NeDs and Courier
says that "the general condition Of the color
ed man kas been greatly improved" This
declaration has been time and again made by
this journal andsFeiterated by other journals
in the State. AVE have took some pains to
ascertain howsthe matter stood in this section,
and have been forced to the conclusion that
ninc>tonths Of them are in as great poverty to-
day rs they were when set free. Their op-
portunities for acquiring property have been
equally as good in this as any other section
of the State and we believe that what is true
of their condition here is equally true of their
condition elsewhere in the State. 1t is true
that some of them have purchased small home
steads, and in few instances have paid for
them, but n majority Of those who have pur-
chased homesteads have. them mortgaged eth
er for the purchase money or supplies ad-
vanced to make their crops. Up to 1876 the
condition of the negro gradually grew worse.
This was during the time when theft was the
order, and honesty the exception in our State
Government. The negro was kept in great
political excitement all the time by his white
leaders in order that they might retain the
Offices and escape exposure. This caused the
negro to neglet his own interest and grow
gradually poorer every day of his life. Since
then we admit there has been O tendency to
improvement, which we regard as q natural
result Of the improved condition Of our State
Government
If the negroes would entirely ignore poll.
tics, or break up their solidity on the color
line and follow the native white men of the
State, there would be some hopes of them bet
tering their financial condition. This we do
not believe they will do. His carpetbag and
Scalawag leaders will not permit him to do 30
as long as they have numerical majority in
the Stale, and there is the shadow of O hope
Of their regaining position and the spoils of
office Hence it is plain to our mind that
Senator Butler is entirely correct. In fact
We have held these views and 80 expressed
hem several years ago. The objection of
the News and Courier, that ''There is no or
ganized movement in any part of the State to
S"pply the place Of the negro with white la
"orers" is no argument against the emigra-
ion Of the negro, for once the negro is gone
he farmers of the State will organize an i'm
migration scheme that will soon supply all
neir demands-a society that will be more
Elective than all the puny schemes yet in
ouguated by the State Government. They |
will bring too, besides, reliable labor, skilled |
labor to the State, which at this time is more
needed than any other kind of labor This
Kind of labor is not coming amongst us as
Iong as it has TO contend with negro labor.
But remove at least half the negro labor from
the State, then it will come, and with it capi~
tai which will seek investment in our manu-
featuring interests, and at once put US on the
highway to wealth, power and happiness.
Senator Butler is right, and we are glad that
a man of his ability and influence has given
his opinion to the public.
--%~%-
We are glad to welcome the Southern Pres