The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-25


they cannot obtain continuous work. One reason
appears to be, that the training of the continental
workman does not fit him for that sustained toll
which the English employer expects Any very ex-
tensive importation Of foreign wOrkmen, therefore,
is not likely to fit into system. AS to the starya
ton threat it is sheer delusion; with beef and NUT
ton at 2Ad. in Sydney, with the ample supplies of
rice that Singapoor and Calcutta can furnish and
market, there is fear that the digging Cresus of
Australia should be in want. And as to any sys-
tematic check to emigration by official means, no
thing could be more disastrous in its moral effects,
If it were practicable to persevere in it; which it
would not be.
Fears have been expressed, and have not been un-
warranted by theory that the sudden influx of gold,
disturbing the relations Of capital to labor might UNI
settle the right balance, and raise labor to tempo
rary prosperity in order to visit it with sudden re-
action in the meanwhile substantially injuring COM
merce II happens, however that with the great in
crease Of precious metal there has been proper
tionate increase of production generally and pro-
portionate activity in exchange; and hitherto. at
least any superabundance Of the precious metal has
been absorbed by the increasing want of it. We do
not learn that in any part OF the country wages have
risen to unreasonable level. In the agricultural
districts where the fear first felt the rise has
been comparatively small in any part, and in some
parts none at all; the principal effect being the alb
sorptjon Of able-bodied paupersm. The most marked
advance is that in the mining districts, where the
w0rkmen have been demanding 3D. q ton, or Is. a
day in coal mining; not an advance which can be
taken to disturb the social relations of the laborng
class In the meanwhile, however, there has been
an extraordinary stimulus to every branch Of the
trades which need coal as fuel; w0rkmen have been
called into renewed activity, at time when their
numbers diminishing; and if it is equitable that
the w0rkmen should obtain share of that prosperity
which is always the last to reach him-for the rise
Of wages inevitably follows the rise of profits
is also social and political advantage in the pros
pect that such will be the case.
There is no doubt practical improvement which
may be introduced into the conduct of emigration,
and which, without impeding it, should render less
capable of mischief to this country and more capable
of good to our colonies. 1t would be, to carry
the machinery Of selection home to the labOrer in his
own district and by afordng facilities for those who
are fttest for igration-thinning the market of
those who can best be sparedto call into play for
those other classes who can least be spared the in
ducements to stop at home. Agricultural laborers
can at the present moment be best spared and they
are most valued in the colonies. Townsmen are par
ticulary wanted amongst us just now, and they are,
speaking generally, the least valuable colOnally An
efficient machinery for emigration would carry out
such selection without violating the feelings OF emf
grants or colony.
The immense emigration from this country has
had two causes very obvious and very extern
sye; the other less obvious, much more limited, and
only of an auxiliary character. The first motire is
the desire for a better condtion-the desire for an
opportunity TO rise in life; and the auxiliary motivs
as the loue Of greater political freedom than the Work
man can rsad;ly obtain in this country Both in
America and Australia the workman, with moderate
industry and moderate discretion, is sure Of COM
potency and of full rights as a citizen At the same
time however, that we observe such immense num-
bers passing from country to those favored
lands of the working classes, we note that the very
first consequence the rising value Of labor, supplies
q counteractivc. The concurrence Of many political
causes brings together statesmen like Lord John
Russell, Sir William Molesworth, Sir James Graham
and Mr. Gladstone, to agree upon an extension Of the
franchise; and at the same time, in the fortshing
condition, of the country, ace haze the most favor
able opportunity a0hich tranquil and hopeful times
can afford for the deliberate and gradual ertensio'
of political privileges. The true means for c0un
teracting any bad results of excessive emigration
must be sought in the hopeful prospects which are
opening to the working man, politically and socially
and which are promising him a gradual admission
to the political privileges already enjoyed by Other
rising value for his commodity-a share in
the material prosperity Of the whole realm.