Year: 1869

vile, Florence, Georgetown and other villages ex-
pand into enterprsing cities and our State boast a
population of two millionsY Why should not our
acreage of improved land be augmented to 12,OOO,
0OO and our annual commerce from 0,0OO, 900
to $SO,OOOOOO? Surely there is no reason in soil,
climate, or location-all these favor u.s. These
things are clearly attainable by like system


To inaugurate similar policy was the purpose
of our General Assembly in establishing the pre-
sent Land Commission. They sought to accom-
plish this desirable end by means adapted to the
different circumstances in which we are. South
Carolina is not territory or new State. She has,
therefore, no public lands to give way. Whatever
she furnishes to actual Settlers whether citizens
immigrants, she must first purchase. But by pur-
chasing in large tracts, she may get land much
cheaper for settlers and by interposng her credit,
may give such time and terms of paymant as will
enable thousands to purchase who otherwise could
not. Other provisions of the law are framed to
meet other special circumstances of our ease. How
wisely the law was drawn, its workings will indi-
cate That its purpose was bene6cent must be clear
to ALL who will consider carefully and fairly"


WHO ARE TO GET LANDS.


The Commissioner was quite emphatic in his
assertions and seemed to have carefully looked up
the land statistics of the General Government and
the Western States


The next question asked was in reference to the
class of people intended to be be benefited by the
Act. rs it not intended, we asked that none but
negroes and Republicans shall receive the benefits
of the Act, or is there really bona Jtle intention
to treat the poor of all classes alike?' And we in
quired in the same breath, SIS it not true that the
Act is intended to strengthen the political power
of the party, and did not its movers project it
mainly with that view?" The Commissioner
seemed little puzzled at first, but quickly recov-
erng that sarcastic smile which, it has been said,
invariably frightened his enemies in debate, he
answered:


"Ofcours the General Assembly did believe
that the Act would strengthen the Republican par.
ty They believed it would do so because its oper,
atons would benefit the people, and thus secure
their approval and support The primary motive
was to help the people; secondary motive, and
perhaps strong one, to help the party. We hold
that every man and every party has full and le-
gitimate right to all the popularity and all the
power which can be gained by doing good. We
insist that to do this in part to gain such strength
is praiseworthy particularly if new strength is TO
be further used for further good. The Republican
leaders expect personal advantage in the triumph
Of the party, but they can remain leaders only by
subscribing in public action, the best interests Of
all the people. In our party corrupt and selfish
leaders soon go down. 1t will be in South Carroll
ma as it has always been in the Northern States. y
ITS OBJECTS.


But, we persisted, was it not intended that this
popularity that you speak of was to be acquired
among the negroes by giving them lands?


The Act (replied Mr.. Leslie) is not intended for
the benefit of colored men or Republicans alone.
1t is not intended for this year, but to exist through
a period of years; so long as it con be operated
without loss to the State, with advantage to the
people Of moderate means, Of whatever color, race,
nativity, religion or politics. Comparatively few
families can this year be put on lands of their own.
Next year greater number can; the third year a
still greater number, and so on till all, so far as
possible, are provided for I could not make this,
in its operations, party measure if would, and
would not if could. l fully answered this ques-
ton in recent letter to some 'landless moneyess
Confederate soldiers who asked a similar ques-
ton.


HOW TO GET LANDS


In what manner, we asked will this benefit the
poor people. You say the State will purchase
lands and sell them out Can this be done at so
low rate as will make its benefits apparent? And
if so, what are the terms upon which lands will be
sold out to the poor?


Said the Commissioner, the Act will benefit poor
men, white and colored, by enabling thousands to
secure lands of their own, who otherwise could not
do so. The State proposes to sell tracts as,l6W as
it can be bought in large tracts Ordinary buyers
sell small parcels at large advance. The State
does not wish to make anything on such Sales The
purchaser (unless he wishes to pay more) pays in
advance only the cost of survey, and for the first
two years he pays only enough to iquidate the in
terest on the bonds, SO that he can put nearly all
Of what little capital he has and Of tho avails Of
the labor of the first two years into tools and I'M
provements. Payments on the principal begin
the third year, to be completed at the end of the
fifth. Is it not plain that these terms are what
private persons will not offer to the poor man?


But added to this fundamental advantage in pur-
chase, there are other vital benefits Of general
character. The moment a man owns land he feels
responsibility and dignity, the consciousness makes
him more manly. The necessity Of thought and
calculation strengthens and improves the mind.
The stimulus of selfdepcndence makes him work
better, and SO, in due time more work and better
work is DONE and the laborer is educated and de-
vclopcd


TIE FORTY ACRES.


The allusion to the forty acres the old Radical
argument by which many an honest 'cullud'' voter
has been invcigcd In going it blind in the ballot
box, brought smile to our countenance, and we
asked if the mule which was traditionay connected
with ''de 10 acres was to be thrown in. This dis
concerted the impcrturbablo Senator. but only for
moment. He quickly continued


"You may smile at the application of this prin-
ciple to our laborors But see what it has wrought
in the great West. 1t will surely do the same in
South Carolina. Our workingmen may gain slow
ly, but all will surely gain and when free common
schools are everywhere established, and good ex-
amples frequent, they will surprise many of us by
the rapidity of their advance. 1t may be fifty years
ere South Carolina is transformed into Eastern
Pennsylvania or Illinois, but we have faith TO be-
lieve it will be, and to begin the work We labor
not simply to secure food and clothing to our work.
ing people, but to educate and elevate them"


HOW TIE MONEY IS TO BE RAISED.