The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-07
OUR ARKS OF IMMIGRATION.


From the celebration OF Independence Day to tho
sideraton of the vast there is this coun
try there is very wide step the analogy for
only through the means OF tho latter in the nrs in
stance that the formor originated The exploring voy
age OF Columbus led to the after journcyng OF the cal
liant little Nayfower band OF Pilgrim fathers to the vast
American continent; tho colonization OF the New
World caused to grow into power and increase those
which subsequently enabled orefathers TO
cast of the yoke Of bondage imposed by the mother
country wished unuaturaay It's stalwart of
spring Consequently It was immigration from the Old
World which led 10 our Independence. and hence tho
connection between the Fourth OF July celebration which
has 90 recently taken place and the present article
Immigration considered in any light 10 beneficial both
to the country which It originates and the govern
ment TO which 1t directed 1t rsisves the old CONT
nent Of Europe from the burden OF superintendent
population and supplies countries with the only
material out OF which success is snRendered-that s
labor. Tho idea Of colonization b by no means new
We read Of 1t in tho oldest Biblical Authority and in the
classic writings OF the ancents II still perpetu-
sted and BY example in the present day
In fact tho promised land Of the Israees may be said
to have been typical Of tho vast American continent 10
the oppressed and multiplied population OF Europe and
the Pheniciau Carthage but . parallel OF the Empire
CITY OF the New World or all tides Of immigration
mentioned in history however, there is mono 80 memo.
sbe that has been continually sustained that
which set in steadily some afty years ago. say. from the
East to the West from the shores Of Europe TO those OF
America This tide has had Its ebb and its now GER
tainy; but 1t has long since become established like
some fixed planetary system From the year 1915,
or thereabouts up TO the preQpt time there
has been gan. stream Of immicra,ion to
this country OF millions upon millions OF the inhabitants
OF what we may well term the sold World" This
immigration never sackens, but on the contrary, To-
from year to year in volume, and ID OF the
utmost benefit to the United States 1t supplies with
tho labor OF which stand in need, it gives us the
raw material for future greatness and also TO
populate continually growing territory, which will
in years to come make America the Power par ercel
,ence OF the world OWING as do, therefore. our
position the scale of nations greatness nay,
country ITSELF immigration and its and end it
surely subject which merits consideration and
reflection At this period Of the year 1t is IN the very
foodtde OF activity and every day nearly some large
vessel freighted with human souls comes into our
ports In the month OF May more than thirty-six
thousand immigrants landed in New York and dis
trbuted over our vast territory, while IN June this
number was even increased. During the entire summer
this flow Of workers 10 our busy hive will continue;
consequently tho time which occupy in tracing the
course and passage of the immigrant from his departure
from his svaterand to his arrival In his far Western
home may not be regarded as uselessly employed or
wholly thrown away. Immigration is vital necessity
to country and should be encouraged and brought
abou, by every means at our disposal.
To begin our subject at the beginning in the most
practical manner glance may be taken at the num-
bers Of
IMMIGRANT SHIPS STEAMERS
which arrive annually in New York from different Eu-
ropean ports OF these the present day although the
numbers OF sailing vessels and steamers very nearly
equal being 40l steamers and $40 ships in the year
1861 the steamers absorb by far the larger portion Of
the trade, and in few years doubtless will be entirely
employed In the transmission of immigrants from Europe
to America From the year 1s47, when the Immigration
Commission OF the State 6rst organized, less
number than 1850 STA Immigrants brought to Now
York up to the close Of the past year The greatest
nua Gov OF immigration 1854 when $40 223 souls
began life afresh in their new country; in 1852 the num-
Der also proportionatey high, being 800 o92 and in
the years 1851 and 1858 tho numbers COL and
2s4 o45 In these years the number OF immigrants
irving was greater than during year. when 2as AIS
souls were imported but otherwise the year 1866 shows
an Increase the general average rate Of immigration
to this country the past twenty years OF the whole
number that arrived in America since the Immigration
Commission has been in operation 1.4s5, 100 souls
Irish 1877 069 Germans ass, III English, $4,000
Scotch, IS. 800 French. S. 1921 Swiss, 23679 Dutch,
and the remainder Of various nationalties, extend
ing from the Spanish hdalgo TO the Japanese
damlo. The Irish exodus Is the chief feature In the
immigration this country; but OF late the German ee.
ment has been stronger, and will In time eclipse
the Irish immigration. In former years much careless
ness and wful neglect and bad treatment haotua
In immigrant SHIPS now, thanks TO the governmental In
nuence that has been brought to bear upon shpowners
both by country and BY foreign governments,
the immigrant is much better cared for and his passage
across tho Atlantic is rendered bearable than
long since immigrant ship perfect pest house Of
dirt squaor, misery uncleanness and OF even worse
points; nowit is comparatively A. clean and comfort
able first class passenger ship The supervision that
has been brought upon vessels employed in the
immigrant trade has resulted In the ameoration Of most
Of the evils Of the old system and clean, we'll fitted and
safe ships and steamers the order Of the day.
In place of the wreched old 'ners' and rotten
sels Ill ntted III manned and Ill sailed, which for
merly thought ''good enough for immigrants" Too
much praise cannot be given to the Efforts and success
full Efforts OF the United states and forign governments
this direction; and the result has been OF material
advantage to our country 10 the improved and
Increasing class o. nesny, ene,se sh,. ana v we
shores instead Of those who came in former years
whom their long, miserable and In FACT dangerous and
unsafe voyage rendered broken In constitution and
paired energy and health. Immigration - has been
said before, 70 the United States that 10
should be encouraged in every particular; and Il was
. wise thing when our executive and the govern
melt OF Great Britain took II In hand some twenty
years ago. The immgran, 10 neither dog, an outcast
nor convict and he deserves the best Of treatment and
encouragement In the new sphere he chalks out for
himself on abandoning the Old World Tor the New.
TEE rirTrSos AND ACCOMMODATIONS
OF immigrant ships and steamers Ia the present day are
pretty much alike that the voyage OF the former
being much longer more convenences are required
for The passengers than are absolutely necessary In the
short trips which the steamers make from land 10 land
The mmgrant ship before leaving her foreign port Ia
strictly overhaued In every respect, generally 10 the
FIRST instance In drydock % 70 the state OF her hull and
Afterwards regards her equipment and provision TO
contend against wind and Weather she 10 then ntted
up with proportionats number OF berths 70 acoommo-
late the immigrants she 10 carry and certain Officers
especially appointed 10 the English German and French
prss, like own immigration ofcers sss that thee
nyngs are carried out according y rs laws
Of the particular port on the subject The
bsrhs placed all along the mship and fore sections