The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-08

clined to take the tripartite pledge on behalf of
the United States not to acquire territory which
she might at some period properly come into
possession of-s pledge rendered by monarch
les which were waging war of subjugation
against unofending nations of Asia and Africa.
We especially commend the patriotic and phi-
losophical manner in which Mr.. EVERETT dis
eusses the great American subject of foreign
immigration. @s
We have often thought that Providence,
seeing the obstinacy with which man clings to
custom, has wisely determined that the indis,
patable demonstration of political truths would
have better effect upon the regeneration of
Europe than centuries of revolutionary effort.
In like manner it has incidentally promoted the
happiness of the human race by encouraging
the transfer of those classes which in Europe
could aspire to nothing more than existence to
our fresh and boundless continent, where everv
substantial comfort is vouchsafed to industry.
and the avenues of distinction are open to the
honorable ambition of all.
The spirit in which Mr.. EVERETT regards
the Immigrant is alike philanthropic and saga
ciouA. He welcomes the artisan, who enables
us to maintain competition with the workshops
he has quitted-the laborer who fslls the forest
or opens the way of progress-the soldier who
in the hour of need will aid in the defence of
all to which he contributed, and which he must
value as his own
The European immigrant no doubt often
meets with disappointment in the rate of wages
or the degree of comfort which he finds in
America Many, no doubt, qualified for par
suits which do not exist in the particular locality
early pleasures around which youth or memory
may have thrown a charm, and sigh for the
banks of the Rhine or the Shannon, but the
masses find in the abundance and freedom of
our own favored land an ample indemnity for
even the imaginary happiness they may have
left behind them.
There are many stereotyped prejudices
against the Introduction of foreigners which
must yield to experience, as they should always
have yielded to the philosophy of our institu-
tions. 1t has been usual to couple the antici-
patiOns of large foreign addition to our popu-
latiOn with an apprehension that they would
not appreciate the political responsibilities of
their citizenship. Results have shown the
wonderful buoyancy with which people,
weighed down by the superintendent orders
of society, rise to the level of equality
when that pressure has been removed. Like
one who has unexpectedly inherited an es-
tate, the immigrant sets about to qualify him.
xaif tn ,Ir of
his new position. Taught in the bitter school
of oppression the practical evils that result
from despotism, the impulses Of his heart are
almost ever in favor of freedom, education,
progress. But it is in the second generation
that the process of Amercanism is most obvious
There are then no prejudices to be forgotten,
no errors TO be unlearned; the rough equality
OF the common school, where no distinction is
tolerated save that of mental or physical ex-
cellenee, soon qualities the German, French,
or Irish boy to take such position as his
merits may indicate. Every obstacle to his
cordial adoption yanisheS with his acquisition of
the common tongue, and thus every department
of social and political employment is repre-
scented by the immediate descendants of for
eignsrs.
The causes Of this complete amalgamation
would require longer essay than we can now
devote to the subject, and are, besides, so OBJ
vious to the rejecting mind as to be unneces-
sary. We have never thought that the immi-
grafton from the northern hive into the south
ern provinces Of Europe was so extensive as
that which is now pouring into the United
States. The facilities Of transportation and of
subsistence did not favor the removal of large
numbers such great distances, although we
are aware historians employ sxtravagant
terms in describing the immigrant armies Of
invasion and occupation.
Enterprise, capital, and commercial inter-
course between Europe and America. however,
have established an import of people into the
United States as systematic as that of almost
any other subject Of trade. 1t will continue as
long as the Inducements to immigration exist.
The Storage passenger pays little more to
transport himself and family across the Atlantic
than it would cost to have maintained them
during the same time in Europe He is re-
ceived upon his arrival in an American port and
taken directly into the interior at rate of
transportation as low as cheap facilities and
active competition can afford, and within fifty
days perhaps from the time he axes leave of his
employer in Tyrone or Manchester he is pre-
pairing to plant and cultivate his own property
m Iowa or Wisconsin. The system for diffus-
ing the immigrants throughout the illimitable
West is becoming daily more perfect. The
locomotive will only pause to drink at the
mighty Mississippi. Its next labor will be to
scale the sierras which separate the two great
divisions of the American Union. This great
work of reduction and settlement will be chiefly
the work of Europeans. Railroads will traverse
rich valleys and prairies now inaccessible in
their distance. Gift lands will attract those
who have nothing to invest except muscular
energy Settlements viii expand into terri
tories. Territories ripen into States On
each side of the vast iron ways which traverse
the West, immigration will accumulate; it viii
be followed with wealth, and when organized
will constitute an important element of politi-