The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-05

Suppose we make a slight calculation. The
proportion of Europe to North America is al
Is to 81. North America might, therefore, al
things being equal, maintain almost twice as
many inhabitants rs Europe.
Europe contains three hundred millions OF
inhabitants.
North America land in all calculations fol
tho future of the United States we must tax,
the whole North American continent, and tn,
islands adjacent thereto,) might therefor
maintain population of six hundred millions
North America has however, les' vast
land it has far more extensive sea coast it
lakes and rivers are larger, and it has fa
greater natural resources in coal, minerals, Nc
&C.; and it will not be over stating it to say
that North America can and will, in time
maintain comfortablya population OF one thou
sand millions This il equal to the entire
population now on earth and America need
not then be as densely populated rs Belgium
now is This simple statement must dlspol all
narrow fears that for centuries to come, we
shall lack elbow-room here.
Remember, besides, that Europe is even now
not populated. Europe might produce
enough bread for all her people, if industry
were permitted to have full scope. The labor
of Europe has to feed too many idlers. Not
all of its fertile lands are even now cultivated
Eastern Europe, especially, is not half popula-
ted Russia, Hungary, and Turkey, could each
easily maintain double their present popula-
ton.
And do not let US forget that Science is daily
bending more of Natures powers to mans use
This multiplies human productivencss. The
more the pity, say the governmental protectors
Of mani In agriculture and in machinery,
daily improvements are made; and thus man
is benefited, mentally and bodily. ] know that
some men deny this, and assert that it were
better il inventive genius were estopped, if we
produced less and consumed more. ] cannot
stop to demonstrate the absurdity Of such
axoms | can but state them. can but say
that the fears about excessive immigration, and
its deleterious effects on our happiness, our
wealth, and our progress, are idle fears
Equally 10 il the fear that, through it, the
nominal price of wages will be reduced For
fifty years we have had immigration, and wages
have all along become higher. They are
higher now than ever, and we are more popu.
Ious than ever. In fact, density Of population
has little to do with the nominal price of labor
Densely populated England pays far higher
wages than sparscly populated Russia. The
lowest rates Of wages. | need but state this
fact, without pursuing the inquiry further.
To my mind, it appears to be strange per-
looks upon his neighbor as in his way. Why
are we 70 willing to part with human beings
Why do We look upon an immigrant as an m
terlopcr, to whom all rights and duties, politi.
cally and socially, are to be denicdy Why do
we pass poor immigrant, AZ proudly as Le-
vite would Galilean Is it because he has no
money or is it because we fear the productive
power within that man
Why, on the other hand do we welcome,
cringingly welcome, the appearance of the 80
called milionaircs Of Europe with their legers
full of moonshine Government stocks! These
men bring us not dollars worth OF real
value they are unable IL do an hours labor
they arc luxurious in their habits they care
nothing about our institutions; they care about
us only To enable them 10 calculate how much
they can mako out of us. Are these their let
ters of recommendation Must We welcome
as bencfactors our worst foes, and must we
look dsdainfully down upon the humble crca-
tor of our wealth Is it the inscrutable and
Interchangeable decree of fate, that mankind
shall always be dazzled by false appearances,
and that it shall never value jewel when set
in q rough exterior!
Some men talk glibly Of foreign paupers J
They pass pauper laws, timing steamboats, and
railroads for bringing men into the State,
who have no visible means of support" All
stecrace passengers are denounced as ragged,
filthy bcegars! | say--and ! speak what l
know-one packet full Of those despised immi-
grants is worth all the Barings and oil the
Rothschilds of Europe. ] say, further, that the
only real European paupers that America ieodS
are those who hold her stocks abroad
Follow mo 70 the dwellings of our English
men, irshmcn, and Germans, hereabouts
Look at tho lands they have cleared, the gar
dens they have planted, tho vineyards they