The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-10
MEETING OF THE CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE.
Project for Promoting European
Emigration to the South.

A special meeting OF the Chamber OF Com
merce was held last evening. at which projects
were discussed having in view the induce-
ment Of substantial European emigration to the
South. Mr.. Fosdick presiding, and Mr.. Waugh,
secretary.
About forty gentlemen we're present, chiefly
members Of the Chamber Of Commerce, but
there were few others not connected with the
organization, among whom was General Beau
regard.
4 few days ago, Mr.. Everett, senior partner in
the house Of Everett, Lucas & Co., OF London,
England, arrived in the city in company with the
Hon. Daniel f. Tieman, formerly mayor Of the
city OF New York, who are on tour OF obssrva-
ton through the South with the purpose Of ascer-
tanning the feasibility Of inducing an extensive
European emigration hither.
The meeting was convened mainly to afford Mr..
Everett an opportunity OF expressing his views
TO the body representing the commercial interests
Of the city, and upon being introduced to the as
semblage be made speech which was heard by
all present with the deepest attention, not only
because of the interest attaching to the ideas
formed of the South by an intelligent aud closely
observant foreigner on his first visit, but also for
the luency, strength and impressiyeness Of his
style.
Mr.. Everett spoke about three quarters of an
hour, and in the abstract of his remarks below We
give only the salient ideas presented by him, with
out following his language, which at times rose to
the height Of eloquence:
With a few predatory remarks, stating that he
came among Us not as politician, not seeking
any personal or business advantages, but only for
the purpose Of making himself personally &C.
ousinted with the resources of the South, in order
that If he found 1t promising held he might assist
Ia divertiDg TO us the currents OF money and emil
grafton which are now flowing in other directions
from Europe. He went on 10 admit frankly the
preiudces he had before he came, and TO tell, in
a manner that may be said to have beel almost
eDthusiastic, If not quite so, how completely his
opinions have been changed.
In this connection he explained that he was
induced TO make this visit by the persaasions OF
Gen. Richardson, of Tennessee, who had occasion
10 visit him On business in London some time ago.
In common with most of his countrymen, who had
had no opportunities Of personal observation of
Southern ciety, he entertained very unfavorable
ideas of it and of the condition OF the country,
which he supposed from what he had read was in
a state of ruin and anarchy, the people seeking to
abandon il as lost. The impressions upon foreigners
might be conceived from the fact that his family
could not be reconciled to his taking the journey
until they were assured he would be accompanied
by his friends, Mr.. Tieman and Gen. Richardson.
MIR. f. confessed himself astonished at what he
saw as he travelled through the country. He
would not say whether the Southern people were
right OF wrong in the late war, but the world ad-
mired their courage their patience and their for
titude, and they were now, after being over
whelmed with disaster, showing themselves in
peace to possess the virtues that must some time
pie. The people OF England supposed that the
South was returning to its original condition of
forest and morass, and that the inhabitants were
seeking other countries to escape annihiiation,
but he found them industrious, everywhere culti
waiting the soil and with remarkable energy repair
ing the devastation Of war. In Jackson, the cap
ital Of Mississippi the greater part Of which
had been burned, be was informed that two
hundred houses had been rebuilt since the war (!
The railroad system Of the South he regarded as
the most perfect he had any knowledge of. He
found banks and other institutions well managed
and prosperous. Whatever else might have been
said of the people their hospitality had Always
been admitted and besides the hospitality with
which he had been entertained, it was gratifying
to him TO say that everywhere In his travels
he had received courteous attentions.
The soil of the South surpassed anything he had
ever seen even in England. Lands in his country
that brought forty dollars year rental were nfe-
rior to the lands he had gone over here and yet he
was told he bad not seen the best Southern soils
The need of the South was men, industrious, pro-
| yident peTseVeriDg men, and upon his return to
Europe he would endeayor TO disabuse the people
of those unfornded prejudces which now
| prevent them from seeking homes here. He
would try to enlighten them through the
press and otherwise. What would be most desira
| Bile here would be men of substanee-not pau
! pers-men who would bring their four or five hun
dred pounds with them, means sufficient to enable
| them 10 till the lands they may acquire. And the
Southern land holders, with the labor system com
system of cultivatng great tracts; they will have
| TO adopt the system in England, and instead Of
| farming thousands Of acres, become landlords and
sub-divde their lands to tenants.
In his journey he discovered that the country
was possessed, too. of extraordinary resources
for manufacturing. There were vast coal fields, and
the best iron be had ever seen he saw in Ala
bama. The workshop should follow the plow, Il
| secure a stable prosperity, and If we have the
people to cultivate the soil, manufactures will
| follow. There were some of the best OF people
here and some of the worst but the idle and the
thriftless here, as in his own country and every
where else, will die out. and some day or othel
this will be one OF the grapdest countries on the
globe. Its capacity amazed him.
| The day will come when the government evil
now complained Of will have passed away, ant
that day will come the sooner If the people lie
politics alone and give their undivided attention
10 their material reconstruction" No other
country has such elements of national prosperity
as this, either in agriculture or manufacture. II
Alabama he saw scenery as grand as that OF WI
zerland prolific soil and all the mineral wealtl
of what is called the "back country " in England
the region Of coal and iron.
Labor and capital are wanted, but tn
Southern people must make up their minds 4
the fact that no more capital will come her
| from Europe to assist in cutlvatng great plan
tations. The land must be given to small pro
| prietOTs or tenants, men of respectabtity, eacl
Of whom will bring his little capital with him
But before such men will come they must b
| assured tneY VIII lot nave u IaCS "
chance in a strange country, with the sharp
ness shrewdness and cuteness the me
in this country have. Such emigran'
will want to meet gentlemen here upon who's
counsel they can depend, and who, as friends, wi
protect them from wrong. Once establish conl
dence here, In that way, and you will soon hay
confidence on the other side. IL a body of uI
right and reliable gentlemen should organize
protect and advise the emigrant, he promised thi
he would strike a vigorous blOg 70 aid them. II
impressed the necessity of direct communicable
with London OF Liverpool, or both. and refor
In the present system by which everything perc
lates through New York. Direct communicate
with Europe he considered very important poi
for the South.
He never travelled, he concluded by saying, sur
| land of promise as the South. This land mu
! be cultivated. America is yet but in the morDir
| Of her day. All these political disturbances W
pass away. Cultivate your soil, consolidate yo
! wealth, and you will be prosperous and happ
!, The man who makes two blades. OF grass gro
, where but one grew before, is greater ben
! factor of his race than all the carpet-bag po
! tlcians who go from place to place provoking
, | will and strife.
: After Mr.. Everett closed, the meeting was a
a. dressed by the Rev. Mr.. Marshall, OF Vicksbur
: General Richardson and w. VI. Burwell. Es
The plan suggested by them TO secure such