Year: 1868




From the Charleston News, December 3l.l


This is the last day of the old year,
and we are glad to be able to give our
readers, at this time, tidings that may
inspire them with hope for the new
year that will soon be born. The North


is seriously alarmed at the intelligence
which it receives at the terrible desti-
tuition and want now existing in the
South. This feeling might have fruit
Ilessly died away, or have found its
only expression in the charity of indi-
viduals; but, thanks to the energetic
exertions of one of our own citizens,
there is now reason for believing 1T
highly probable that some schemes will
be adopted for extending government
aid to the planters of the South. The
gentleman referred to has been in
Washington for some time, and we shall
endeavor to show, as clearly as possible,
what has been accomplished and what
remains to be done.


Three plans of relief were submitted:


1. That Congress should authorize a
loan of $50, 100000, to be lent in small
sums to necessitous planters, the loan to
bear six per cent. interest, and to be Sc
cured by mortgage of the land and a
lien upon the crops of the borrowers;
the loan is to be distributed by local
commissioners of approved position and
standing.


2. That the Government should lend
the Southern people an amount equal
to the gross amount of revenue already
received by the United States from the
cotton tax; the loan to be secured, issued
and distributed as under the first plan.


8. That the United States govern
ment should sell the gold in the nation
al treasury in excess of the sum required
to meet current demands, and lend the
premium realized by its sale TO the
South, upon the terms and in the man.
Her before named.


These plans were fully discussed and
explained in repeated conversations
with the President. General Grant,
Chief Justice Chase, Senator Harlan,
and General O.. o. Howard. The Presi-
dent was heartily in favor of some
scheme for Southern relief, and woald
do all that he could to ensure its prompt
adoption. General Grant said that he
would, as Secretary of War, submit to
Congress, Immediately upon the as
sembling of that body, communica-
tion earnestly recommending one ofthe
plans submitted to him, and already
mentioned. Chief Justice Chase was
very warm in his expressions of solici-
tude for the relief of the South. His
support, and that of his party adher-
ents, to a scheme of government relief,
is considered certain. Senator Harlan,
of Iowa, formerly Secretary of the lnte-
rior, likewise signitied his approval of
the project, and his intention to sustain
it in the United States Senate. General
Howard saw the necessity of relief of
some character for the South, but ex-
pressed no opinion on the plans propos-
ed. He urged, however, a proper and
generous distribution of food by the
Government, so long as the necessity for
it's issue existed, the cost to be repaid
after certain time, and in the mean
while to be secured by lien on the
crops. Thus the matter stood when our
fellCw-citizep left Washington: but, be-
sides this, he did actually secure one
most important result. Pending the ac-
ton of Congress, and oil account OF the
representations that have been made to
him General Howard has taken steps
that will lead to the immediate is
sue of food to all destitute per-
sons, white and black, in the South, in
sufficient quantities to avert actual suf-
fering. This measure will doubtless be
the means of giving our poor people
great and substantial relief. Every in
Iication is now in favor of the speedy
movement of Congress for the relief of
the South; and as the Radicals them
selves do not refrain from urging the
expediency of government assistance,
it is likely that Congressional action
will not long be postponed. This may
be buS another sign of returning kind
ness and justice, and the practice of
charity will, after all, be the surest
way Of accomplishing true reconstruc-
tion.