POPULATION. 395 



In Europe the natural increase of the population is much restrained, the 

 closer struggle for existence there tells against the young, adults are re- 

 quired to endure its hardships, and hence their preponderance. And it 

 is at once sad and curious to recall that in this, these highly civilized 

 Christian nations resemble savage tribes, among whom the proportion of 

 children to adults is always small. The population of South Carolina, as 

 represented by the numbers at the different ages, is one growing rapidly 

 by natural increase, and under favorable conditions ; these favorable con- 

 ditions being exhibited by the relatively large numbers passing over 

 from the working period of life to old age. Such a state of things is 

 highly promising, provided that the numbers in tlie early formative age- 

 realize by their labors on reaching the self-sustaining and contributing 

 age what has been expended in rearing them. 



It is a popular estimate that one-fifth of the population are fighting 

 men. If this is intended to designate the natural militia, that is the 

 male population over eighteen and under forty-five years of age, it will 

 almost always be an over estimate except in a population receiving large 

 accessions of adult immigrants or among savage tribes. It is true that 

 during the war of secession South Carolina is estimated to have put 

 60,000 men in the field from a white population, from eighteen to forty- 

 five years, not exceeding 55,046. This was during a period of four years 

 however, and the number actually in service at one time probably never 

 exceeded 44,000. During the war of the Revolution, 1775-83, South 

 Carolina furnished more than eight per cent, of' the entire American 

 forces. — (Rep. Secretary of War, May LOt'i, 1790,) although her white 

 population was only four per cent, of that of the old Thirteen States. 

 During the war with Mexico, 1846-48, the volunteer troops from South 

 Carolina sustained one-seventh of all the casualties in the volunteer 

 forces of the whole country. South Carolina's losses in the Confederate 

 service, 1861-65, is estimated at 12,000 men. While in times of war 

 South Carolina thus " stiffened her sinews and bent up every spirit to its 

 full height," in times of profound peace, as at present, she feels there is 

 " nothing more becomes her than quiet, stillness and humility." Her 

 military service is purely voluntary. The whole number of troops en- 

 rolled is about 4,000, of whom only about 2,500 parade at inspections. 

 The Legislature appropriates $5,500, or $1.35 a man, in aid of those con- 

 nected with the military organizations of the State. The following table 

 shows, according to the United States Census for the years specified, the 

 numbers of the natural militia in the white (native and foreign), the 

 colored and in the aggregate population of South Carolina and of the 

 United States, and also the percentage of this class in each of the above 

 named constituent elements of the population and in the total population : 



