DEVOTED TO SOUTHERN RIGHTS, MORALITY, AGRICULTURE, LITERATURE, AND MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
JANES H. NORWOOD, EDITOR.]
To thine otmself be true; And it must folloic as the night the day; Thott canst not then be false to any man.—Hamlet.
VOL. 1.
DARLINGTON C. H., S. C., THURSDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 11, 1851.
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AGHUCULTUHl.
ADDRESS,
Delivered before the Agricultural So
ciety of Darlington, Aug. 12, 1851,
by Capt. R. G. Edwakds.
Planters : On your last anniversa
ry 1 united myself to your worthy As
sociation, to foster the increasing in
terest I felt in my avocation, and sit,
as a pupil, at the feet of the more ex
perienced. You saw fit at once to as
sign me a duty, which seems to imply
the reverse of this natural order. It
does not become the pupil to demur at
the lessons of his masters, and a not
uncommon remark is, that in the way
of communicating, instruction is most
thoroughly received. Failing then,
successfully to maintain the position of
your anniversary speaker, the pupil
claims the indulgence of his preceptors,
the task being assigned without a pre
vious test of his knowledge and ca
pacity.
Man, in the beginning of bis history,
was placed by the great creator in a
garden—the garden of Eden—a de
lightful place, with every thing adapted,
as we must suppose, to his senses of
seeing, hearing, ,*mclling, taste and
touch; a place of fruit, flowers and
perfume. And what was he to do ?
“To dress it;” to combine, arrange
and adjust the luxurious profusion in
the handiwork of God, scattered
around him. Then, with the divine
image enstamped upon his character, he
could have beheld and enjoyed the
method he might have exhibited, in the
exercise of the mental and physical ca
pacities, with which God had distin
guished him, as the noblest of his
works.
In another stage of his history, we
see man fallen, degraded, catt out
ployed, so that it may conduce to the
most eminent success, and contribute
most to the individual and general
good. At the foundation of this sub
ject, and as of prime importance to
all government, I would remind you of
the Greek adage, “ Se auton gnoicthi,”
ren to the Book of Books for a knowl- in its application to the relation of the
edge of duty, and the principles which slave. But he has furnished the lervl-
should govern in our relation to the lers with an argument which, as a two
laborer. It is alike full in resjiect to edged instrument, when drawn back
the master, as to the father. Indeed, against the institution of slavery strikes
they run parallel. And while the fa- fatally in another direction, against the
ther is not to provoke, he is not to order of things he would defend. So
and of the injuction of divine authori- spare the rod, and spoil the child. And obvious a misconception of tmtli, in
ty, “ Bring under subjection your body so in like manner the master, while he respect to one of the relative duties, we
and spirit, which are the Lord’s.” And i is to forbear threatening, yet at the feel must, in an honest mind, be the
yet further, “ He that hath no rule over close of certain injunctions to duty' j offspring unconsciously, of an influ-
his own spirit, is like a city broken and obedience on tbe part of the ser- enco contaminating and powerful, lie-
down and without walls.” By perse- vant, it is added: “But he that doeth
veriug in a faithful and candid inquiry wrong, shall receive for the wrong
into our own character, we become ac- which he hath done.”
quainted with the secret springs of hu
man action. And the habits of cor
recting the wrong and cultivating the
We may gather from all that has
been remarked, that the master’s posi
tion is one of dignity, and that he sad-
I cause present and plausible—adapted
to its educated habits. If, indeed, it is
polluting tbe great resources of intelli
gence, who can scan the vastness of
the evil, when even the measure of
charity itself, is brought to the stand-
right, gives point ami direction to our ly impairs that dignity w ith the loss of ard of selfish desires, unlimited.
moral energies. Wc recognize in the
whole family of man, beings of like
passions with ourselves. And tbe prin
ciple of self government established,
its pow er must be felt and acknowledg
ed in all tbe social relations. Restrict
ing my subject in the application, to
a consideration of its bearings upon
the relation of the planter and his la
borers, your speaker claims your at
tention to it af not irrelevant, and he
its power, when he descends to threa
ten. And w hile it liecomes him, as the
Governor of his household, to adopt
and decree wise regulations, they are
necessarily to be enforced under the
sanction of a just penalty, and to be
tempered with the exercise of the mer
cy which circumstances may warrant.
If the father should train up his child
in the way he should go, for the inesti
mable result it would secure, why
We w ill look now at the other side
of the picture, and see what are the
facts connected with a state of sla
very as it is in the Southern portion of
our Confederacy.
The position of a Southern domes
tic is literally and really a homo one.
It does not fluctuate with the whims
of poor human nature. Ho does not,
as the Northern hireling, pass our
threshold to stay as long as the notions
brought
hopes not inappropriate on the present should not the master ? How great is of interest last which brought him
occasion. the inducement! There is a period to hither. No! lie becomes one of our
Self-interest is a principle most po- the father’s government, hut none household; a member ot our family,
tent in its influence upon the hired ser- short of life to the master’s. And the And, the family feeling has much to
vant or laborer; often a principle of principles imbibed, and embodied in do with its permanency and its coin-
appeal, to the utter exclusion of the youth, acquire, after a term of years, fort. In numberless instances, he is
law of love and kindness. Itthusnar- a fixedness denominated character, under a yoke comparatively easy—
which may contribute to his peace or 1 which, when be is considerate, be will
annoyance through a lifetime. The fa- not be tempted to exchange by the la
ther is to train up his child in the nur- ring bait called freedom, for a situation
tore and admonition of the Lord, not
acknowl-
be, unregulated by the gen-
rows down the motives to action to
one of unmitigated selfishness. And
how paltry is it universally
edged to I
erous and higher impulses of the soul, only the most effectual trai ing for
The condition of a bond servant or this life, but necessary to the h ppiness
laborer—a slave—is so different that of the soul in the life to come. How
from its very nature wo commonly much less does this responsibility de
find it governed by the combined influ- volve on the master f Is the servant’s
ence of fear and affection. Like the less a state of special dependence than
child to its parent, it is a relation of that of a son! The relation of a son,
dependence, and subject to tbe same
abuses. As it would be unnatural for
the father to exclude from his bosom
the sentiments of affection, which it
self should prompt the use of the law
of fear, so it may lie said of the mas
ter. The child, in acknowledgement
of dependence upon the parent, feels,
ns first among motives, is the pleasure
does indeed instinctively awaken tender
sensibilities, and to the extent that this
is the measure of duty, is the differ
ence. The relation of the master to
his slave being anala^ous to that of
the father and son, it is appropriately
termed Patriarchal. The government
required therefor is patriarchal, and
not without a parallel; beginning
pays a like tribute to this fact of de
pendence. The Intlier’s and the mas
ter’s abuse of the respective relations
tends to alienate the feeling originated
in each.
It is the interest of the master to
The life he had forfeited, is in mercy control his own tempers, not only that
put on a course of probation, in refer- his erring slave may receive no injury,
ence to its spiritual relations; while the hut from the permanency of this rein-
substance of bis physical being was tion over that of the hired servant, to
made dependent upon the sweat of his invent methods and act upon principles
of the parent The heart of the slave w ith Abraham, and ending with Phile
mon; to all who would examine and
understand it, the history, of its rise,
progress and relative duties, is fully set
forth under the Jewish economy and
Christian dispensation, contained in the
old and new testaments—our Bible.
so often seen to he, especially at the
North, one of abject misery—with lit
tle privilege politically, and sadly at
loss in family protection and sympathy. 1
Both his interests and his affections,
prompt him to contentedness, diligence,
and faithfulness. And it is a generally
received fact, that our slaves as a class,
are more highly favored, and happy,
and true, than any other class of la
borers. And how much farther re
moved are our citizen freemen from
the prejudices existing between the
poorer and richer classes, of the North,
and its consequent evils. A knowledge
of the discordant elements disturbing
tbe Northern peace, and directed
against the stability of Southern rights
and institutions, makes a simple notice 1
of the difference sufficiently emphatic
! and forcible.
In conclusion, brother planters, let
not the attempt to place the torch of >
incendiarism into the hands of the
brow, itself disciplinary and condu
cive to his spiritual elevation. Briars
and thorns hedge our pathway. It is
no easy life, that of the planter. Dif
ficulties arc to be overcome—judgment
to be exercised—tbe hands to be dili
gently employed. The quiet of indo-
lence ami indifference is to be discard
ed ; indeed, it is an ultimate impracti
cability. The planter’s life, only, may
be said to be “ Otium cum dignitale,"
when the laws which should rule, are
obeyed. These apply in its physical
features, to the conditions of soil, cli
mate, and seasons. Look upon the
face of nature, the workmanship of the
Creator, and draw hence, conclusions
as to the circumstances of the soil.—
We find it upon hills and in valleys, in
tersected by rivulets and rivers, of
different qualities, degrees of fertility,
and of vegetable growth. Hence un
der the hand of cultivation, the condi
tions of soil in one position are better
adapted to com, in another to rice,
and in another to cotton; and so of
the other products of civilized life. In
this survey of nature, wc are impressed
that the principle of drainage, should
have the first place in agricultural sci
ence. In connection with mineral
qualities in the soil, natural or supplied,
a rapid maturity may be stimulated;
and thus may be attained a result, that
would oftener fail in a reliance upon
climate alone, and at least enhance its
certainty and extent, With the use of
these, and other expedients, the frozen
lar, in its vegetable relstions, may
brought to approximate nearer to
the torrid tropical. The important in
fluence of moisture and heat, of wet
and dry seasons, may be wisely em
ployed, along with the conditions of
soil and climate, to subserve the inte-
rests of the vegetable kingdom. But
I would occupy your attention with,
Thu Moral Fratuubs op the
Plamtuhs’ Vocation.—To subdue the
wilderness and render ita soil plastic
to the varioua objects of cultivation, ia
a noble and difficult attainment Much
more so is it, to know, to control, and
direct the intelligent agency to be cm-
disciplinary and elevating, that his ser
vant may be as Onesimus, when return
ed to Philemon, the more profitable
from the improvement of his character.
The sensibilities of the master’s na
ture, educated under the moulding in
fluence of the law of association, de
mand of him that he mingle affection
with fear, in the necessities of govern
ment He remembers his care in pro-
viding for the helpless infancy of his
slave; and that when the little fellow
was growing up, master and mistress
seemed even more cherished appella
tions with him than those of lather and
mother; and, at length, when he felt
and rejoiced in the vigor of manhood,
he delighted to exert its virgin strength
for him.
The same authority which address
es the father, and says, “ Provoke not
your children to anger,” says also to
the master, “ forbear threatening.”—
Wherein do we perceive the reasona
bleness of these injunctions! In im
mediate connection with the first it is
thus stated, “ lest they (children) be
discouraged.” Such is one effect of
threatening, for it implies not only dis
pleasure on the part of the master, but
also a want of confidence in the dis
position of the servant to do his plea
sure. Then sinks helpless and almost
powerless, the motive, perhaps still
strong in his bosom, to seek his mas
ter’s pleasure. Threatening is invaria
bly the offspring of a liasty temper.—
And though it may be associated with
just views of an act that brings it forth,
yet it has another effect, to beget,
even where wrong tempers had not
been previously indulged, a disposi
tion to answer again. And hence, in
the exhortation to servants to oliey or
please tlieir masters, may have been
superadded the admonition, “ not an
swering again.” The father is exhort
ed in another connection, “ provoke not
your children to wrath, but bring them
up in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord.” And it is also said, “ Train
up a child in the way bo should go;
and wbou he is old he will not dejiart
from it.” I refer my planting broth*
An inquiry into the human agency most successful hearers to the soil of
to be employed in tilling the earth, as our agricultural light, throw us from
exists in the relation between tbe pro- our propriety in control of the human
prietor and bis laborers, and pnrticu- agency with which we have to do.—
larly of the planter to his slave, is not But rather let it move us to address
only not irrelevant, hut of immense | ourselves more ardently to the stndy of Dew igmore plentifull „ deposited on
importance in the present crisis of our human nature, ns welUsofagncultu- moa( , ou ‘ nds th;l ' J plowed
country’s history. The controversies J ral science. Seeing that the arts ot | am | a . ni , d cultivated
pearance and behavior should be en
couraged, add indeed enjoined.
Let the planter feel the moral eleva
tion of his people, a study as imjmrtant
as that of agricultural science, and a
duty—and he will find, with the bless
ing of God, sttccess crowning bis ef
forts, and the Bible and its preaching
at once the pioneer and bulwark of
his nnhle employment ami dignified
position.
FORUATBIN OF DEW.
The air contains at all times more or
less of moisture, though in a state so
ratified as to be imperceptible. To
prove this it is only necessary in a
summer’s day to fill a glass with cold
water, when, dry as the atmosphere
may seem its moisture will he conden
sed and made visible in the form of
small pellucid drops upon the outside
of the glass below that of tbe sorroun- !
ding atmosphere, On this principle
distilation is conducted ; and in the
same manner dew is formed. No soon
er does the sun sink toward the Imri- j
zon than the blades of grass which j
clothe the earth’s surface give out the
heat they have been receiving during
the day, and consequently they be
come so much colder than the ntmos- !
phere that they condense in the form
of dew part of the rarfied moisture
immediately surrounding them. Dew, i
being thus formed, is of course more
abundant before than after rains when
the atmosphere is moistest. Calm and
clear nights are essential also for the
1 copious deposition of dew; for then
the glossy blades emit tlieir heat free
ly, and it is dispersed through the at- |
mosphere without any equivalent re- j
turn. On the contrery, however, if |
the ni^dit be cloudy, then the clouds,
by abstracting the heat from the atmos
phere contribute in some degree, to
keep its temperature on a level with ]
that of the glassy blades, and thus so '
nearly equalize the two that but little
dew is deposed. If, in addition to
clouds, a high wind is blowing, no dew
will be formed ; for then the tempera- I
ture of the grass is prevented from sink- j
ing by the agitation of the air contin
ually bringing a warmer current to suc
ceed the colder current by which it is 1
surrounded ; or it may lie that the night
winds, being generally cool, so rapidly
reduce tbe air’s temperature as to bring
it below that ofthe grass.
As substances differ in tlieir power
of losing their beat so do they difler in
their attraction for dew. (hi grass,
swan’s-down, and other filamentous
substances, which readily part with
their heat, dew copiously condenses.—
The mechanical condition of objects
likewise aflects the formation of dew, :
as shavings attracts it more than wood.
of the present day respecting the mo
ral and physical condition of human
labor, are shaking to the foundations
our institution of slavery. It is time
we should well understand its nature,
and the laws which should regulate it
Having exhibited it as a relation harmo
nizing with, and running parallel to the
family relation, therefore properly and
most effectually governed by the same
laws, let us now view it in the light of
contrast with free labor: bring the Sou
thern domestic in contrast with the Nor-
tlicrn hireling.
It is not a necessity of free labor
that it should be governed by the law
of self interest alone. Love and kind-
ness should operate to prevent the sor
did sway of a principle not reprehen
sible, when tbns modified. But how
great is the temptation, and how stri
king the resulting facts. Induced by
the perpetually conflicting views of the
value of labor, very, very often by an
avaricious disposition, there is ever a
contest going on between the hireling
and his employer. The result, as illus
trated by the prejudices of the |»oorer
against the richer classes, in the Nor-
them section of our Confederacy, is
most disastrous. It would naturally
originate in the habitual and undue
prominence given to self-interest And
this prominence would often lie felt and
justified as a law of necessity; about
which law, too, very mistaken views
would be entertained. This warfare
excludes the law of love and kindness,
when the reign of licentiousness comes
in, and infuriate agrarianism deals a
death blow at excellence and virtue
itaelf, in all ita devastating jealousy—
against all restraint, against all govern
ment
I know not that the great and pious
Wayland felt the contaminating influ
ence of the principle of agrarianism,
and was unconsciously yielding to the
popular whim, while be would restrain
it, when he promulged his perversion
of the Christian rule of charity or love,
government attach as importantly to
the planters’ success as does agricultu
ral skill. And the planter, in perform
ance of the duty of promoting the pu
rity and spiritual elevation of his slave,
is amply repaid by his greater integri-
ty, and by the faithfulness and intelli
gence of his sendee.
The awards of skill and ingenuity
in free labor are founded in higher wa
ges, and in the benefits of discoveries
or inventions; by which the laborer
might even sometimes leap at once in
to a fortune. 1 his is stimulating to
his energies and his genius. Yet, more
is secured to it in mechanism than in
farming. And to us, as planters, it is
more than a compensating advantage
to awaken in the slave a high estimate
of the master's approval, without its
being so liable, as in the other case,
to the influence of the selfish principle.
As the approving smile of the father
to the bosom of the son is a rich re
ward of merit, so I can emphatically
say, from observation, the evidences of
approval from the master, when there
is occasion, are not slightly valued by
his slave. And to the extent of the
cultivation and refinement of his moral
affections, will he feel the force of a
legitimate appeal to them. And to
this end, there should not be seen in
difference to the removal of temptation
and all depraving influences. No bet
ter method can be adopted than that
rated soils are refresh
ed with abundance of dew, while bar
ren rocks and sandy deserts, not need
ing, do not receive the genial mois
ture. Indeed, every plant possesses
according to its kind the power of con
densing as much dew as is necessary
for its peculiar and individual exigen
cies.—Arthur's Home Gazette,
THE LIGHtITn/ITI RE.
The celebrated Mr. Hume wrote an
essay on the sufficiency of the light of
nature, and the no less celebrated Rob
ertson wrote on tbe necessity of reve
lation, and the insufficiency of the light
of nature. Hume came one evening to
visit Roliertson, and the evening was
spent in conversing on this subject.—
The friends of both were present, and
it is said that Robertson reasoned with
unaccustomed clearness and power.—
Whether Hume was convinced by bis
reasoning or not we cannot tell: but
at any rate bo did not acknowledge
bisconvictious. Hume was very much
of a gentleman, and as he was about to
depart, bowed politely to those in the
room while as he retired through the
i door, Robertson took the light to show
him the way. Hume was still facing
the door: “O, sir said he to Robert
son, I find tbe light of nature always
sufficient;” and he continued, “Pray,
don’t trouble yourself, sir,” and so he
j bowed on. The street door was open,
r • .... . J, - r and presently, as he bowed along in
of raatilling into his mind from infancy, ^ ^ he .tumbled over something
tbe principles ot Bible truth. I have | ilj _..,i
seen the published statement of plan
ters, some of whom were not religious,
in acknowledgement of a high state
of improvement in the moral charac
ter and improvement and efficiency of
tlieir slaves, as the result of the reli
gious instruction of the missionary up
on their phuitationa. And to aid the
force of tkeae teachings, a due regafd
to tlieir dress, cleanliness, and lodging,
should be promoted. Males and fe
males should not be promiscuously
crowded together, and decency in ap-
coacealcd and pitched down stairs in
to the street. Roliertson ran after
with a light and as he held it over him,
whispered, “you had better have a light
from above, friend Hume.” And rais
ing him up, he bade him good night,
and returned to his friends.
Sla\ £11} Pbufehked.—The follow
ing nottM from the obituary depart
ment of the New York Hearald shows
that, so far from the eonditon of slave
ry being always one of unmitigated
1 hardship, it Is sometimes preferred:
“Died in this city on the 31st of
July of apoplexy, Laura, a colored
woman, who had lived in the family
of Mr. S. M. Isaucks for forty-four
years. She was purchased us a slave,
in South Carolina, at tlie ago of 13,
and although she became free by the
laws of 1825, she would never
accept her freedom, but preferred re
maining in service of the family.
She was a most faithful servant, of
good morals and strict integrity, and
truly attached to the family, who
mourn her loss as a worthy old friend.
Her remains wore followed bv
first, second, and third generations of
the family to their last resting place in
New Y oik Bay Cemetery.”
Tehiuhlk Acrident in Russia.—
Among the items of news in the
English papers is the following :
A fearlul occurrence is announced
Irom Russia, which took place in
\\ ladmir on the 1st of July. Accor
ding to ancient custom, a procession
is always held on that day, to carry
the wonder-working image of tlie Vir
gin Irom a neighboring convent into
the town of \l ladmir and back again.
This time tlie concourse was unusually
great and just as the procession was
crossing thegridge, the latter gave wav
and 4JH persons lost their lives ; 48
have been recovered, more or less in
jured during tlie fearful event.
Black Troops.—Our colored folks
are turning their attention to military
affairs. We met a company last week,
and one tlie week before. The last
had a white band of music with them.
It may and does make the public
laugh, but the darkeys don’t care for
that. They will continue to increase,
and ere tw’o years, black companies
and negro regiments will be as plenty
as baskets of blackberries are at this
present moment of writing. They will
do to march .South one of these days,
and there they will find a good mar
ket : some of those we saw would
bring SiNOO or 81,000 in a moment.—
We object to the formation of these
companies, as they offer too great a
temptation to the slave .Mates to se
cede, hoping that the colored troops
will he inarched down among them
and be used to supply the additional
wants of those States. It is bad policy
—-V. 1’. Picayune August 9.
CURIOSITIES.
It is a curiosity to find a stump ora
tor who will not praise himself, and
will not abuse bis opponent.
It is a curiosity to find a politician
who will hold an argument with an
opponent for half an hour without get
ting angry.
It is a cariosity to find a politician
who will be coDvinced by his opponent’s
arguments.
It is a curiosity to find a person who
does not think his ow n children posses
ses of more talents and accomplish
ments than those of his neighbors.
It is a curiosity to find an artist who
does not think himself perfect in his
profession.
It is a curiosity to find a candidate
for an office who does not think he is
fully entitled to the suffrages of his fel
low citizens.
j It is a curiosity to find a man who
places too low an estimate on his ow n
abilities.
It is a curiosity to find a Miss of fif
teen who lias not begun to think of get-
; ting a husband.
It is a curiosity to find an old maid
w ho does not wonder that she lias not
! long been married.
It is a curiosity to find a fop who
does not think be is the admiration of
i every one he meets in the street,
It is a curiosity to find a miser trans
formed into a generous man and a bene-
i factor to society, so long as he can re
tain his own possession.
I It is a curiosity to receiv e a letter
from a lady which has a 1*. S. attached
to it.
It is a curiosity to nicu& w ith a wo
man who stammers in conversation.
It is a curiosity to find a lawyer who
pleads a cause successfully for ynu and
then dock off a Dprtftn of bis fees.
It is a curiosty to find a physician
who having restored to health, does not
wish you to think he has performed a
wonderful cure.
It is a curiosity to find a dentist who
w ill not tellyou he can extract a tooth
and cause less pain than any one else.
It is a curiosity to find a schoolmas
ter who does not wish it to understood
that he knows more than any body
else.
It is a curiosity to meet with a mhn
who thinks less of himself than other
people thinks of him.