Year: 1867

the admirable address delivered by Gen John
A. Wagener, Commissioner of European I'm
migration for this State, in that town, some
weeks since, and ask for it the thoughtful pc
rusal of those of our readers who are con
cerned for the future welfare and prosper
ity of South Carolina:


Mr.. President and Fellow- Citizens The
results and consequences of our late untortu-
nate and disastrous contest are of such
character that our whole economy and state
of society, all our ideas and aspirations, have
been completely revolutionized we are now
in the midst of chaos, from which only an
indomitable will, perseverance, Liberal and
progressive ideas, and the lessing Of Provi-
dence can reproduce order and prosperity.
But it behooves wise and reasoning people
not to sorrow over and despair of the past,
but to lay such plans and initiate such sys.
TENS as may reasonably be expected to afford
them chance fresuscitation and prospect
of prosperous future. And it is rot in bare
politics that we must look for our salvation,
tco much of that has always engrossed the
attention Of South Carolina, but in striving
earnestly to re awaken ouri industrial ambition,
and where former manners of pursuits have
become impossible or Improbable, to strike
out with firm resolution, and without hesi-
tation, for new channels Of fortune. South
Carolina now beholds her darkest days, but
there is lie in the old land yet, and if her
people only will it, she will yet ere long, be-
hold the rising Ola glorious sun, and her days
may be days of peace, plenty, power and
transcending honor once more. The great
present cause of our difficulties is the d'sor,
ganizatiou Of our laboring force and want OF
capital. In 1850, the working force OF South
Carolina was about 100000; now it is scarce.
iy 100000. Then it was an organized and
efficient productive power; now it is the basis
of desultory aud very frequently disconnec-
ted effort, without any greai results as whole,
and certainly always insecure as o.any de-
terninab'e product.


i. have adverted 70 this SUBJECT on several
former occasions, and shall, therefore, only
briefly review it now. Our colored'popula


ton has diminished ii has takcnsto to'other
branches of industry, in numerous cases not
so we'll adapted to their habits and character,
preierring city and village life to the p!ana


lion and farm it has shSted from one part
of the State to Others, and worst Of all, a
considerable proportion has followed tic nat
ural propensity Of human kind, TO live life
of Incidence at the expense OF others. All
these are universally acknowledged facs


There may bc-there are favorable eXcep-
,ions A large planter OF York District as
sured me last winter that all his former peo-
ue remained with him, and were doing better
than ever before, and some gentlemen even oi
your own district profeSscd to be very well
satisfied. SO much 50 that they could not see
at ali any necessity for the encouragement OF
immigration. But these exceptions cannot
amend the rule. do not want to crowd cut
the freedmen. God forbid Il could be
of service to him, he shall be welcome. II
can improve bis condition, no one shall be
more willing. Indeed, would persuade him,
if I could, not to quit the land in which he
vas born, but 10 cling with strong attach


ment to old Carolina, where, amidst all lis
troubles, hc has really enjoyed many happy
DAYS, the like of which may never more re-
turn to him any where else in the wide world


But the freedman is not sufficient Us III Gle
ment of improvement. If he was an excel
lent plantation hand, he will not do so we'll
as farmer and small proprietor. Will lie
produce more, as whole, than he consumes
Will he do to establish factories, to tend to
the vineyard, TO preserve the orchard, to raise
stock, to the careful and close cultivation OF
the grains, to improve the land, to build towns
and villages, and protect the earnings of his
neichbors? You know Kim well, and you
con answer these questions better than |.


And this subject may be viewed in yet
another light. Did you ever earnestly reflect
how the State is to bear the taxation for the
support of an extraordinarily large INDECENT
population, from which no contributions can
be gathered, and the special and liberal care
for whom the laws OF the Union have i'm
posed 2 Besides, hereafter our colored popu-
iation will be largely concerned in framing
the laws of our own Statc, and it is their al
ready expressed policy that the lands must
paw the costs Of the Commonwealth. Their
old people will have to be supported by the
State, and their youth will grow up with no
tions of their political importance, in habits
of idleness, and ready to become hacks and
pimps of the designing, selfish and anaticnl
sayoups Of the human race. This.is the GER
tain result OF their. natural iEdolence, O! tie
sudden change of their social status. and OF
the influences that are now besetting thelG.
Even in this natter Of immigration they have
already been instructed and taken their stand


[ was informed few days ago by one of our
Law Judges that the freedmen have held
meetings and made it a principal corner stone
of Their platform TO oppose all immigration
whatever. What does this import If the
industrious and wcll-rneaning colored people
could comprehend thsir osn true interestG
and have the least idea Of the real prosperity
of the State and their own, they would scout
at the bait of colored Republic of South
Carolina, aud they would understand that in
crease Of population is an increase of means


that it will take hundred years lefore IN
the South labor will exceed the demand, and
that tie capital and industry brought in by
the farmer AID purchasers Of lands increase;
their own chances Of success and prosperity
But alas the colored man does not reason
hut will blndly follow the teachings Of his
nolitical master and manipulation of the domi


nant Northern faction, and the promptings o.


his selfish conccits and passions. This is oul
great danger. and together with our owr
Want of energy, and our indisposltion to en-
courage Immigration, will certainly retart
opr recuperation. flour colorcd people coult
only be l.aGe to know their true friends, al


might yet be !, well \ =


do not wish to be understood as opposing
nlautations-they are only extensive farms
after all. But l mean to say that system o
small farms should be encouraged as an aux
Ti I;arv to the planter, and small farmers should
b.t facilitated in every neighbcrhood, insteac
of being looked upon with suspicion ant
speedily bought out as formerly. The; plan
j tor will prefer the staple products to the ex
oIuson e Of the cereals, tie farmer, on the con
t.arv % will nav his first attention to the foot