The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-05-16

sufQr0 trCFE0SS OF EMANCIPATION
Fer ne iss4 Ausrter Of 3 century there
have been periods, occutsiEg from time
10 time. at which the immigration to shn
country bias received an unusual impetus,
frem various known and natural causes.
The CONDITION of Europe frcm 1916 TO 1850
in particular was so peculiar from the
combined effects Of material depression and
political sgitation, that emigrants from all
quarters Of the Old World poured into
this country, as the last refuge of broken for
tunes and disappointed hopes. Want and op-
preston at home swept of the population by
tb' usands, until the broad Atlantic Was studded
with emigrant ships, and the ports of America
swarmed with the bone and sinew and brain of
Europe, seeking here field for their develope-
ment, which they have since fortified and en-
riched. At NO period, either before or since,
was The immigration to this country 30 large;
but for the last five or ten years it has been
gradually decreasing, and it is only within the
last tew months that the advent of immigrantsto
our shores in unprecedeutedly large numbers
has attracted any attention or surprise Political
tranquility, the absence of agitation, and COM
parative prosperity in Europe, had rendered
emigration NO longer q necessity, and it Is
therefore matter of speculation and astonish-
ment that it should have received such an ex-
traordiDary impetus at the present time.
Ireland and Germany have always furnished
the bulk of emigration to America; but we do
not perceive in the present aspect Of affairs in
either country any paramount cause for deser.
ton of home and kindred such as existed few
years ago. Nevertheless, emigrants from both
lands, the former especially, have been pouring
in upon us IN immense numbers for some time
past. The new exodus from Ireland is excit-
ing considerable attention, and even some
alarm, in that country, and the immediate cause
ofthe movement does not seem to be under
stood there; and the same is true also Of Ger
many; but it is manifest to us that this ex-
,raordinsry emigration can be accounted for
by circumstances at this side Of the Atlantic
rather than at the other. The fact IL. that those
who have previously emigrated to this country
have been very prosperous. The magnificent
resources of the United States, spread over an
extent of territory combining all descriptions
Of climate and soil, Its vast agricultural wealth,
its mineral deposits, its growing manufactures,
the reward which awaits industry everywhere;
all these have contributed TO enrich the emf
grants of former years and they have shared
with their kindred at home the abundance they
have gathered here, and encouraged them to
seek land where the sturdy arm, the quick
brain, and the willing spirit, untrammelled by
oppression and stimulated by the genius of our
institutions, are certain to reap a rich remu-
neration for their labor. Millions of dollars
are sent every year 10 Europe by our
adopted citizens to bring out their friends aud
families; and as money is the most potent mis-
sionary and the best evidence of prosperity,
accompanying, as it doubtless does, glowing
descriptions Of affairs here, emigration to
America becomes the goal Of ambition to thou
sands.
No part of the globe presents the same in
ducement to the emigrant as this republic. To
the industrious and thrifty man, emigration to
the United States means certain prosperity, and
hence emigration is popular. According to
the returns of the Commissioners of Emigra.
ton, about $4,000 immigrants have arrived at
this port since the 18th of November last, and
they have furnished us with the following de-
tailed statement =