The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-08

this planet Of ours, has never, he ventures to
sert, found its way to wilder or more out ofthe-
way nook or corner than that.
To return from this depression. have before
spoken of the lower and large class of the rural
population. There Is another much smaller one
that wish to delineate briefly. This Va the large
landed proprietors, resident in the provinces
whose vast estates, lying in the >wlldness of
pimeval nature, In many cases stretch for leagues
In extent over the plains and prairie lands, and
are stocked with immense herds of cattle, and
other domestic animals that have returned to a
state of almost absolute wildness while the pro-
pretors of these extensive domains, living al
most as seclude from the little world congregated
within the walls of this capital, as from the rest
of the world, pass their lives in unlntellectual
ease and Incidence. supplying their few demands
for the commodities of traffic and commerce by
the barter of hides brought with them on an oeca-
sional visit to the capital or other marts. This
class are as proud and naughty as old Casilians,
or other Spanish hidalgos, might be conceived to
be-. They dsdain and contemn every species OF
trade and barter for mere gain, and would not
deign to contamlnate their hands with it. They
are averse 10 all innovation of every kind; know
little of the world what is going in it, and care
still less; probably, in their lives heard of
steam engine or railroad, much less of the mag
netc telegraph, (Which latter, by the way, Is all
Yankee CANNON to nine tennis of the people
here, if one attempts to describe it to them3 and
whose respect tor the legendary miracle of Our
Lady OF Higuey Is not half deep-seaed as is
their hatred OF all orelgners--especaly those of
an heretical stripe
have deneated two extreme classes-compris-
ing however, large majority of the actual popula-
ton of the country. There is still small medium
class characterized by farmore favorablet than
either of the preceding. This embraces the BODY of
the mercantile and other trading classes of the capt.
tai, and other larger towns and is sparsey dissent
mated through the provinces, and is pretty fairly
represented in the national legislative councils.
This class generally entertain, in some measure
liberal nd fho
foundation, sources, and means of national growth
and prosperity But will they ever be able to IN
fuse this eyen into the minds of the great of
the people! That is hopeless result, as that
mass is now constituted The government has
the sagaciy to this and has even, IN effect,
avowed it. Hence the plan of promoting or,
rather, OF creating and giving the first impulse to
the agricultural interests of the republic by the In
troductlon of a foreign agricultural population,
has, from the FIRST been favorable scheme of the
present government. To expect to infuse into the
creole rural population, which has vegetated for
generations in Its present INDECENT thriftless mode
and habits OF life, anything like the energy and
enterprise requisite for adopting and steadily pur-
SUNG any efficient system OF agriculture, with the
ordinary requisite mechanic arts, 1t well knows
would be to look for result which nothing short
OF miracle could ever accomplish.
This month. last year, law was passed by the
Congress, having for its object the promotion of
tore gn lmmlgratlon. 1t provided for the defray-
ing OF the expenses incldentto importing the future
q
migrant head ct family, and his descendants, in
fee, peon,a Of land, or farm of fifty acres, with
an immunity from all military service on the sole
condition that he should reside on and cultivate 1t.
Some measures were taken at the time, though
without any successful results to carry the proyi-
sions of this law into effect. -
The President again called the attention of
Congress to the subject, IN his message, at the
opening OF its late session. But since that time,
a material change, which has recently manifested
itself, seems to have taken place In the views and
policy OF the government, on this subject The
fact that the government was encouraging, and in
deed, taking active measures to effect the intro
ductiOn OF colOnlsts from abroad, appears TO have
at length awakened the apprehensions of certain
classes for the security and preponderating in
f1uence of the established religion should bodies
of enterprslng colonists of different religious
faith be introduced into the country from Europe
or America. The government, to which these appre-
tensions would seem 10 have at length been com.
munIcated, has receded from Its liberal policy of
fostering immigration, regardless ofreigious faith;
and though the writer cannot lay his hand on any
official documentary evidence of the fact-none
having been published, 1t Is believed, al least in
printed form--yet 1t is well understood here at
the present moment, that no bodies of foreign
colonlsts will be allowed to enter and settle within
the territory of the republic unless they profess
the naiiOnnl faith
This ilhberal and retrograde policy, which, it IS
to be hoped, the government will not persevere in.
cannot fail 10 inspire with sentiments of lively
regret every true friend and well wIsher to ihe
prosperity OF this young republc--of which num-
Der the writer Is; and, since his attention was first
directed to ITS history and condition, has ever
been sincerely one For, by pursuing this policy.
she places serious obstacles in the way of her
own advancement and prosperity by cutting herself
OIL, as she thereby does, from the chance of
Strengthening herself by immigration from among
the most enterprising and industrious of the
European ENGRAVING population. Still there are
not wanting here men who, though protesting the
national religious faith, take more comprehensive.
liberal, and Just views of national policy in this
respect. These lament, while at the same time.
they Cannot, at present, counteract the untoward
Influences that are brought to bear upon the coun
sells that shape the governmental policy on this
ject
Again. no inconsideIabe portion of the ma
tive population are averse to all foreign immipra-
ton whatever. "We want no foreigners" these
say, and some of them are influential men "Our
own present plla,Ion will, IN time, by its natu-
raj increase people, sufficiently densely the terri
tory of the republic :" while the past history of
the country, and the well-estabiIshed natural
laws that regulate the Increase of population. as
applicable to tine condition of this people both
show that this will never be- and that unless efli-
Gent measures are taken TO renovate the popua-
ton from abroad the agricultural and other re-
sources of the country will remain as at present.
undeveloped, and, consequently, the people, indl-
vldually and as nation, and the government, for
all the purposes OF such an Institution, will con.
tlnue as heretofore, poor and feeble
'+.-.-..' CURACAO, Oct. il, 1915
affairs in Tene sueia
General Paez Is still here, and the government
appear to treat him with great respect. Three