The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1866-12-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Charleston Mercury. e.
EUROPEAN IMMTGRATIcN.

EUROPEAN IIMIGRATIoN.
The special committee of the Gen
cral Assembly of this State, on the
subject of European immigration,
have published an elaborate report
on the important questions which
were submitted to their considcra-
ton:
They state that no government Of
Europe exercises special snpervis-
ION Of immigration, and that private
agencies should be avoided. They do
not agree in the opinion that the col
ored population will hcnceforth be
entirely useless, but think that the
State will need them all, and may. by
patience, liberal dealing, and wise lc-
gislation, make them again valuable.
Still, as this number is reduced, and
their steady application cannot be re-
lied on, other arrangements have be-
como necessary to re-establish on q
true foundation our agricultural in
tcrcst. Statistics show that the col
ored population in the Northern States
is at stand stir, the births and
deaths being about equal, and this
will, in future, be the case in the
South. The white and the colored
populations of this State arc ROW a.
bout equal, and if immigration Of COL
ored people is encouraged, how long
will the whites retain their suprcma-
cy under the continuous excitement
of political commissions? General
Easily said that only therapid increase
of the white population could prevent
the social evils that threaten US but
the resources Of the South are meal
culable, if she can command an influx
of industrious and frugal whites.
Previous to the war, the population
of South Carolina was about 100, 600,
and she was made to support with
case 100000, OF people. Judge
Aldrich said that immigration would
induce competition which isncccssary
to make black labor available. The
blacks must be convinced that they
must either work or starvc. AS Tar
back as 1893, South Carolina was
encouraging white immigration as a
matter Of protection against the nc
groes.
The experience of the New York
Emigration Commission shows that
cmigrants to this country bring with
them an average sum Of S125 each
man., woman and child; and the great
er part of this goes at once to increase
trade and stimulate commerce. Ger
man cmigrants, alone, have brought
$1,000, 900 to the United States III
three years. Every immigrant that
comes to South Carolina, may be
considered to be worth $500 to her ;
and what can be done il this State is
shown by what has been done in 9th
CT States. The population of Mime
sofa, in 1851, was 1000, and in 1862
it was 2O2;8S3, and of this gain 154,'
900 were from immigration; and the
value of all property increased in q
like proportion.
The South requires farmers to re-
licve her of dependence on the NORTH
and West, but we must be content tc
sell some of our land. Europeans
who will adopt our habits and ideas
arc what We need.
A transient population, such as th'
proposed coolies, would do no good
as they would spend out of the coun
try all that they made in it. They
are nothing but merchandise, and
blight to any community where dom
iciled; while the European gives per
manent weslth. lie not only adds tt
the real capital of the State from th'
beginning, but by his industry in
creases the general wealth, and what
ever he gains Individually and fo
himself, is truly portion of the gen
eral resources, because he has estab
lished here permanent home, ant
will help to bear every public burden
as he participates in every public ad
vantage. He becomes, indeed,
member of the State, enlarging he
Importance and power.
Our State has 4,572,000 acres il