The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-09-20
4 Striking idea.

fy the Editor of the State: In The
matter of the 10000 homeless, famine
stricken and Observation-Disclosures. ne.
groes of the sea coast, cannot some OF
the numerous agricultural o-ganiza-
tions, the Farmers Alliance, agrictl-
tural departments and societies,
&C., take steps towards moving these
people from their ruined homes?
In the territory adjacent to this
storm-swept section a million and q
half bales of cotton should be picked
in the next six weeks. That means
nine million dollars to be paid in wages
for work in which all may engage,
women and children from eight years
to extreme old age. The corn crop is
to be pulled, and large pea crop,
(much of which will shatter out and
waste) is to be gathered. II the ag-
ricultural authorities would ascertain
approximately the number Of hands
that might be absorbed by each of the
minor civil divisions, not twenty
thousand but one hundred thousand
workers could find remunerative en-
ployment at this season in the middle
and upper sections of the three States
visited by the recent storm.
The relief funds will be expended
in part for the rations Immediately
needed, and the bulk Of it in railroad
fares to move the people. The tents
furnished by the United States gov
ernment might be pitched where shell
ter was scarce in the middle and up.
per part of Georgia and North and
South Carolina. Such migration is
not uncommon. The peasantry of
France follow the vintage from COM
mune to commune, the dates on which
it is to commence in each locality
being officially announced. The
dweller on the Apprentices and the
Abruzzi descend into the plain OF
Tuscany tie Campagna and Apulia,
to camp out, during the work of har-
vest. Ship loads Of harvesters cross
the Irish sea to gather the grain crops
of England. Italians come to New
Jersey to pick berries and return
to their native land when the season is
over.
It is said these people must be fed
by charity or government aid until
next April, and that even then their
lands, impregnated by salts from the
sea water, may refuse to produce
crop. It looks as if the peasant pro,
priety of the Sea Islands had reached
the end of their career. No peasant
propriety ever had fairer showing;
in genial climate to which they
were adapted with abundant sup
plies of fish and fruit for food (; on
fertile soil, their lands almost free;
gift to them; aided by government
largesses and magnificent charities
from other surces; the building OF
new railroad, the foundation Of new
town, and the development Of the ex-
tensive phose works opening fresh
sources Of remunerative employment
for them; protected from any un-
friendly outside influence; for third
of century they have been free to
establish themselves in permanency.
The result One thousand perish in
8 catastrophe that destroys only three
of their white neighbors What
promise is there that any outside help
can enable them to build up their
waste places. They are folk not
lacking in many Of the amiable and
gentle virtues. If spread out among
the white population they will in the
future, as they did in the past,
assist in the industrial develop
ment Of the country. Mobilize this
perishing population.
HARRY HAMMOND.
Beech Island, S. G., 8th Sept. 1898.