Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-23
,voREIev E71IGRATIoN TO THIS COUNTRY

FOREIGN EMIGRATION TO THIS COUNTRY.
The foreign emigration to this country, says
the Lancaster Wing, has principally come
from ireland and Germany. During the eight
years extending from l8i7 to 1854, inclusive,
the whole number of foreign immigrants who
arrived at New York was 1,946,39S, of whom
1 $50 ,0O6, or fye-siXths, were German and
Irish the former numbering 69i,5 and the |
latter S57 ,4S9. This excess Of Irish arose !
probably from the Irish famine of 1915, which
caused general rush for America. Previous
to that period the German immigrants exceed
ed the Irish, and as late as the year 1917, the
Germans numbered 80 ,lS0, and the Irish g.
GIG. But the next year the great Irish emi-
grafton commenced, and continued to increase
until 1851, when 1t rose to total immi-
grafton OF 1862 .256 Irish to New 7 Yorl1 alone for
that one season. The next year, 1852, ii fell
to rs, ,13l, when it was exceeded by the Ger
man total of GIL, followed by German
excess of ,49O in 1858, and of %, ,68f in 1854.
The German immigration appears TO have
reached its highest point in the last year, when
It's total of ,9S6 exceeded even the great
Irish total of 1851, to the amount of 14,730.-
In the year 1855 all kinds of immigration de-
clined very greatly, but chiefly the Irish and
German, the total arrivals of Germans at New
York having been 81 ,967 and of Irish Il, ,932.
From the figures we have already given, it
appears that the falling of in the Irish emigra-
ton commenced in 1852, before the appearance
of Known othingism. In that year the Irish
emigration to n. Y. fell of A, l25, and it has
steadily declined ever since. The condition
of Ireland has vastly improved since the fam
inc and the emigration consequent upon it
Labor is now in great demand there, and the
poor have no longer the same temptation to
leave their native land as they once had. In
Germany some of the leading governments
have thrown such obstacles in the way of emf
grafton as to prevent the former rush. Such
is the case in Prussia, for example. The ad-
vices from America have also been very dis
couraging, as the later emigrants have expert
enced more suffering than those formerly,
on account of the great numbers that were
here already.
But the immigration from Great Britain has
not fallen of in the same ratio as the German
and Irish. During the year 1855, Is 21G Eng
lish, Welsh and Scotch arrived at New York.
The number of these immigrants arriving at
other ports is pretty well maintained. There
is probability that, from England especially,
there may be within the next ten years an aug
mentaton Of the stream. The strikes in the
manufacturing districts, so frequently occur
ring, generally result in large contribution Of
emigrants to the great republic of the West.
The effect and influence of this great food OF
immigrants to this country, may be seen in
the following facts in relation to the State Of
iirf5 State, uccoruGng 10 the census OF TJsI
year, has Col S22 voters, of whom 516, 745 are
native, and 135,O77 naturalzed. The latter
however does not furnish an Indication of the
total alien population, which is G32, ,753 The
actual vote polled at the State elections is
generally from 100, 900 to $50, 600 short OF the
whole number Of voters. The basis Of repre-
sentation in the Legislature is the entire ma
tive and naturaiizcd population, exclusive of
aliens and colored persons not taxed. Under
it the city Of New York will have but seven
teen members IN the lower house. For, al
though the whole population is 620 $40, the
aliens number 232, ,G78, and the persons Of col
or not taxed 10,807, thus leaving a taxed and
representative population of 8S3,325. The
native voters in the city number 4G ,113, and
The naturalized voters 4, ,7O2. Here It is seen
that while the native population own the grea-
ter portion of the property Of the city, yet
they are very nearly balanced by the foreign
population who vote not only on property
qualification or descent, but upon their ccrtifi-
cate of naturalization. 1t is therefore no won
der that New York is tax-ridden beyond all
precedent, and cursed with corrupt prohigate
and abandoned rulers. The weight Of this
foreign vote can be purchased and used by
INSCRIPTIONS and designing demagogueS to
place themselves in power or to carry out their
schemes Of speculation, plunder and self ag-
grandizcmcnt.
These facts should put the American people
on their guard, against the constantly en-
croaching foreign power, and induce them to
unite firmly and pcrsevere reslutely in
checking the foreign Catholic power that 9TH
erwise will gradually subjugate tho liberties
of this country.
LETTER FROM HON. D. BARCLAY.
From the Pittsburgh Gazette.
House OF REPRESENTATIVE