Year: 1863

IHE SUPPLY OF LABoR-In preparing for the
attack upon Charleston, which we have reason to
suppose will be renewed with the fleet of iron


clad gunboats is troubled in number it becomes
US, as an intelligent and patriotic people, to use
every exertion and means of security Should
the contemplated attack succeed and Charleston
fall, the whole low country of South Carolina is
likely to go with it. The whole middle and up-
country would then be exposed to the desolating
march of the foes advancing columns. and to the
raVages and terror of their yindctive raids. Let


our people of the interior ponder over the fate


OF Louisiana and western Virginia and Tennessee.


Let them consider where their defence is made


and what the bulwark of their security. 1t was
said that New Orleans was fortifed-was strong
was sate-could not be taken This was be-


heved by the secretary Of war; the president, and


by military men; yet it was taken, because all


was not done that might have been done. The


country was thunderstruck then 1t NAV be as


founded one day by the fall of Charleston. 1t


will then be too late for the State authorities to


furnish labor and to do what now may be done


Regrets will be useless because the matter will


be remediless. We therefore now, while there


may be time left, call upon the authorities of the
State and the people of South Carolina to ex-


hibit energy and public spirit Our legislature
after wasting much of time, and putting the


State to the expense Of three sessions in five


months, made such bungng provision for sup
plying labor to our military authorities, that
much desirable work is undone, and without pre-
sent prospect of being done Demagoguism in
the legislature has been followed by want of
public spirit among the people Instead of com


ing forward cheerfully to supply the public need
OF labor as the law proteSsed to accomplish many
have availed themselves Of the absurd and mis-
chievous provision of paying two dollars day
. and keeping eirsaves at home. Whole neigh
borhoods, in concert, have paid the fines Large
districts have failed to supply single laborer
Il is high time for this short-sghted and danger
Gus policy to cease. And we call upon the State
authorities to move wisely, and at once in this


matter We call upon the town authorities and
upon the commissioners of roads to rise above
petty conveniences and personal considerations
to the full measure. of their country's cause
They can do much, and it is their duty to do it,


Fault can, doubtless be found with the manner in


which negroes have been cared for in some in
stances, and with the loss of labor under the
supervision of incompetent subordinate officials
But even these objections will not warrant the


denial of the means of constructing our defences.
| The cause is good. There is no doubt concern
| ing the want of labor Patriotism and enligh-


tened common sense urge prompt compliance


with the requirements of the law. The stake at


issue, for which the requisition is made, is the


country Then let every man do his duty, whether


it cost him much or little. We are called upon


to make sacrifices. This is one. fCharleston Mer,