Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-06-23
FOREIGN IMMIGRATION.

We learn from the New York Times that the
number of foreign immigrants landed at that port
between the 1st of January last and the 3lst Of
May, inclusive, is 6s,07s, of whom 4l,2SS were
from Ireland, 15,34S from Germany, s, ia from
England 1,186 from Scotland, 214 from Wales,
and 1888 from all other countries; being an in
crease of 1886 over the corresponding period Of
last year. The like ratio Of increase during the
remainder of the year 1864 will give total immi-
grafton of 2l4, ,S76 souls, which is an increase of
5s032 over that of 1868, of 13S, $40 over that of
1862, of I49,347 over that of 1861, of lC9, TIA
over that Of 1860, of 135,554 over that of 1859,
of 136,2s7 over that of 1858, and of 81 103 over
that of 1857.
1t is estimated that the number of immigrants
arriving this year at New York, compared to the
number arriving in the country at other ports, is
considerably greater than formerly, and will not,
in all probability, fall short of ninety per cent of
the sum total The preponderance of male emil
grafton during the present year is also novel fea
turc Careful returns which baye been made
show that for three months, ending on the 1st of
April last, twothirds of the entire immigration was
of males. 1t might be presumed that this fact
found an explanation in the heavy bounties offered
by the military service in this country, but it has
been developed by the Investigations which have
been instituted in the matter that barely ten per
cent. of the male immigrants have entered the
army.
The New York Times in referring to this remark
able exodus of people from Europe, and their in
fux to this country at time when it is rent with
civil war, remarks as follows:
"Varous plans have been suggested TO encourage and
increase the importation Of labor to supply the exhaustion
caused by the disasters Of the battlefield and the necess
ties of the army The late Baltimore Convention adopted
as part Of it's platform resolution aft ming that foreign
immigration should be fostered and encouraged by lib
eral and just policy What precise policy il any, is here
referred to, at loss to determine.
"But we protest advance against the scheme
of furnishing free pasrage at the expense OF the Govern
men those who choose to leave Europe for this
try Such practice wond be innovation upon interna-
ona ussge and might give rise to the gravest compca
tions with foreign Powers In any event. 1t would involve
drain upon the Treasury would inevitably
lead to the grosest frauds and could not fail to be pro-
ductye of m1ch suffering and wrong. And, than all
it will degrade the CHARACTER Of the immigration and would
check il it did not entirely break up, that OF the thrifty
and educated classes who we have seen, are now seek
ing homes in this country.
Paupers weuld take the place Of the well todo; while
crafty officials would not be slow to empty the
poor and ss OF Europe upon shores Perhaps
injury be done to the immigrant than to de-
st0y bs spirit Of self reliance substituting in it's place the
sense Of hepessness and dependence 1t is too much
say that expedient could be devised certain TO
work this reault than the freepassage system. large
share Of those who, Gr want of better term may be
called Government Immigrants, would, from the outset
BECOME inmates Of prisons else charge upon public
h,tity.n