Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-18
EMIGRATION FROM FRANCE.

We learn from the foreign mails that on the
25th ult., meeting of Associated Workmen"
took place in one of the quarters Of Paris. A
conference was held among thirty-five operatives
different associations, upon the
question of emigrating to the United States. It
will be remembered by our readers that the
principle which binds together these associa-
lions OF worllmen is, that of an equality of in
terest among the operatives themselves in the
establishment in which they labour 1t is in
short, kind of joint stock business. 1t appears
that in Lyons, Limoges and Lille, the operative
associations have been dissolved by the authori-
ties, and in their fate those of Paris behold their
own. Here is an extract from speech deliv
cred on the occasion, setting forth the reasons
which impel them, after leaving their native
country, to select our own as place of refuge ::
Hitherto have sent the produce of ourvaried in.
dustry to the New World that very expectation has
been the great of our success-the most extern
slve source ofth happy results of efforts. Why
should we not transport industry to the New
World We shall find there on the spot ITSELF the
primary materials necessary for us, and the cost of
whose transport renders their acquisition here
onerous-I alude to timber metals leather wool &c-
New York and New Orleans will soon cease to depend
on Paris inasmuch, with u.s. who the real produ-
GERS OF those wonders of Partisan industry Paris will
have migrated to New York and New Orleans l pro-
pose them the formation of Committee of Emigration
to be charged with the liquidation of the Operative AS
sociatons of Paris the realization of their capital and
the organization of the necessary for our emf
grafton to the United States within the shortest period
| possible"
| Points in South America and in Canada were
suggested in course of the debate, as Offering
superior advantages, but that was regarded as
matter of DETAIL and referred to the Committee
| of Emigration. We have but little doubt that
when the selection of a new theatre for their
exertons comes to be made, that the commit
tee will prefer the United States, and thus Sc
cure to us this desirable band of emigrants.-
The reasons for this preference are manifest
The stability Of our government, and the pro-
lection and encouragement afforded by our laws
to liberty and the proceeds of labour, when adj
ded to the cheapness of the materials of manu-
featuring industry, hold out advantages pos
sessed by no other section of the civilized
world. Inthe several States of South Ameri-
ca, there is no stability in government; re-
volution follows revolution, and pronunciamen-
to, pronunciamento as wave follows wave. In
the particular oflegal guarantees, perhaps tho
French labourer would not better his condition
by such a change of residence. Nor on the
other hand, does Canada afford inducements
equal to those held out by this country. 1t is
now in a colonial condition, and discontents
with their government prevail among the peo-
pie. The question of separate nationality is
already agitated there, and when men begin to
sigh for independence, and speculate on It's ad-
yantages, the effort to obtain the coveted prize
cannot be long delayed. There is nothing in
this impending strife to invite capital and la
bour, which ever seeks peace and legal protec-
ton. In this highly fayoured land the honest
labourer may rest under his own vine and fig
tree, and there viii be no man to make him
afraid.
Here we behold oneof the benefits of consti-
tational freedom, and at the same time the
bighting effects which despotism has upon the
exertions of industry. The United States, or
some portion of America, will gain, and France
will certainly lose, by the recent despotic
change in her government, an industrious pop
uation possessing both skill in the arts and cap
ital to render it available. 1t has ever been