The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-12-22
.Ssrspean Im.nigra,son..
70 Me Editor Of Me .Phouir.

some reflections upon the subject of
emigration and the best means of
promoting the same.
I am one of those, who do not be-
lieve that emigration is to be turned
in this direction Ey State legislation.
We have had some experience in the
matter oflegislation upon the subject
of direct trade, and we have seen that
private enterprise in that matter, is
most likely to accomplish its purpose.
If we would induce emigration to
our State, we might profit by the cx-
perience and practical workings of
the means used in other parts of the
United States. And, the first thing
to be done. is to establish an Emil
grant Aid Association, either in
Charleston or Columbia, with auxili-
ary associations in all the principal
towns and villages throughout the
State, 80 that when strangers emil
grating here, shall arrive, either in
health or in sickness, there shall be
some body, whose business it will be
to receive them, take care of them,
and if need be, supply them with
present material aid, within the
means of the association. The auxi-
liary associations in the country
would be able to find out the cheap
est and best lands, and the most de-
slrable locations. to be bought for
the purpose of settlement of such as
would be able to buy lands, and by
reporting 10 the parent association,
that body would be always in pos
session of desirable information for
promotion of the cause. They would
also ascertain and report where en-
ployment may be found, either for
mechanics or laborcrs.
The formation of these associa-
tions would create q necessity for
taking up small subscriptions from
the members, for the purpose of rails
ing fund, to be applied as circum-
stances may require, in carrying out
the plan suggested. Without know
ing anything more of the failure
to retain the passengers of the
Gauss, than what appears in the
Charleston newspapers, we have con-
cluded that, to the want of proper
funds, and probably the influence of
such an aid society, the result may
be attributed.
In connection with these aid asso-
Citations, we would suggest further,
that it is within the range of posi-
bility, that when organized, they
would be able to raise funds by vo-
luntary subscription to still further
promote emigration. Suppose sum
OF money, sufficient for the purchase
and outfit of ship, could be raised
in this way-the ship being put up
for Il freight for Bremen, or some
other European port, loaded and sent
upon her voyage. The freight out
would pay the expenses of the return
passage and the round voyage; by
this means, a free passage might be
offered to such industrious, worthy,
laboring persons, qs being willing to
emigrate to this State, but unable to
pay their passage and provide for
their own support until such time as
the profits of their labor could be
made available, might be selected by
an agent in Europe, whose duty it
would be to see that none but wor-
thy, deserving persons, arc allowed
to enjoy the privilege. In this way,
beginning would be made, and the
seed so planted, produce in time
abundant fruit.
If it is said the ship would in time
be worn out and the capital sunk, the
reply to that is, the original subscrib-
ers will be more than repaid by the
increased value Of all the property in
the State. If it is true-and we do
not doubt it-that the productive
capacity of every emigrant or new
laboring man coming into commu-
nifty adds to the whole value Of pro-
perty in that community $500, and we
look at this matter in that light alone,
then it will require that the ship
shall make bnt very few voyages be-
fore the advantages derived will be
more than equal to the amount in
vested, though the capital is sunk.
1t is well known that foreigners,
who come to the Northern States,
do. most of them, out of their saw
ings, constantly aid and assist their
relatives and friends to come and
settle around them, and it has been
by these influences, among others,
that the stream of emigration has
been kept steadily flowing into the
great Northwestern States, their
| M