The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-01


best of it, and simmer down." At his present
pitch of high pressure excitement he must soon
be utterly exhausted. Poor Forney
EMIGRATION STATIcTIcs AND LUNA
TIC EMIGRANTs.-We have already called atien-
ton to the decrease in the yearly aggregate Of
emigration to this country, and TO the direction
which the great annual tide of population which
of late years set towards this country has taken
for the last year or two. In the year 1854
3l9, 223 emigrants arrived at this port; but so
great and sudden was the falling off in the num-
Der that the emigration for the following year
did not exceed 1928, while in 1856 it was
only 1892. In 1854, therefore, the number
of emigrants who arrived in New York exceeded
the total Of 1855 and 1856 by more than 10000.
This great and sudden decrease was generally
attributed to Know Nothingism, which at that
time was rampant throughout the country;
but that, after all, was only one of other and
still more powerful causes.
Know Nothingism was almost extinct last
year, and yet the emigration for the whole
twelve months was but 1854; and if
we look stal further we will find
that much greater reduction has
since taken place. From the LIST Of January
Of the present year to the goth OF September the
number of emigrants who arrived in New York
was CT 1928, showing falling off Of 1884 COM
pared with the same period of 1857 Surely it
is wrong to attribute this to Know Nothingism.
We must look to other causes for such result,
and we will have no difficulty in finding them.
1t is the policy Of the English government to
encourage emigration to her own colonies and
she has so far succeeded in carrying il out that
Australia and Canada receive the great surplus
Of emgrants who would otherwise have sought
their fortunes in the United States. To secure
this end no opportunity is lost by the English
press TO disparage American captains aud Anne
rican ships, and when opportunities are wanting
they find no trouble in making them. In this
way the immense amount which IL expended
yearly by the cmigranis in the form of passage
money is retained in the country. while the colo
MES receive the benefit Of their industry
But If it is the policy Of England to direct the
emigration of her able-bodied and industrious
laborers, mechanics and others to her own colo
MES it is no less her policy to throw upon our
shores those who are physically and mentally
helpless, or who are 30 utterly vicious and crmi-
nal as to become burden upon our charity, or
a pest to the community upon which they are
forced. In some instances the population of
poorhouses have been shipped to this country.
and among these there would always be con-
siderable sprinkling OF idiots and lunatics. For
some time this system was carried on with i'm
punity; but whenever our authorities have dis
covered cases Of the kind they have re-shipped
them to England. Thus We find from state
mcn' In q Liverpool paper that thirty-fve such
emigranis had arrived there from Boston and
thirty-four from New York. making a total of
sixty-nine altogether The authorities there
grumbod considerably of their return. and il
was suggested that a strong remonstrance
should he made with a view TO prevent the en-
portatiou Of oil such from New York. as 1t had a
tendency to increase their local rates.
This Il certainly cool, considering that all Of
these were sent from England. and that In ship
ping them to this country the English govern
ment attempted to shuttle of upon our people
the burden Of their support In no case were
any lunatics or paupcrs returned who had not
been such before they were sent here; and we
trust our authorities will hereafter take care that
England throws no more Of the helpless and inn
beetle portion of her population on our shores.