The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-11
THE IMMIGRATION PROJECT.


was filed last night with citizens, assembled Il
hear the plan explained by which it is pro
posed TO direct 10 the South an Industrial
immigration from Europe. The larger part
Of the assemblage consisted of business men
most Of whom are long established merchants
and inanciers in New Orleans. and all gave
earnest and constant attention TO the observations
and suggestions of the speakers, particularly
those of Mr.. John Everitt, of the London house Of
Everitt. Lucas & Co., firm which Cen. Richard.
son informed the audience is infuentially and ex.
tensively connected, in monetary operations, with
leading financial Establishments in Great Britain
and on the continent.
DR.. J. 8. Copes. chairman of the committee de
puted TO make arrangements for the meeting,
called the assembiage 10 order at about half past
O'Clock. and n0mina ted for chairman Mr.. Tho3
A. Adams, president Of the Crescent Insurance
The nomination was unanimously approved and
MessTs. i. ID. Miller J. n. Oglesby, A. d. May
9. II. Slooomb, Vim. DeLarue and l.. J. Webster
were chosen secretaries.
The meeting beng organized. Mr.. Adams intro
duced Mr.. Everitt, who was cordially greeted
from every part Of the house. He spoke for about
hall 40 hour, expressing himself substantially as
be dld In his address 20 the Chamber Of Commerce
an abstract Of which was given in the Crescent
yesterday, that presented all his leading ideas on
the subject, on which he was discOursing, and
Which IN skeleton form may be thus stated
The British press receive their intelligence as
TO The condition OF the South from Northern
newspapers, and through their press the masses
Of the British people are impressed with toe
belief that the South has been utterly wrecked
by the war, is in a state OF social and political
anarchy, the Inhabitants abandoning it and emf
grating 10 other lands. This was the idea ne had
himself before going through the Southern States.
he had discovered that be had been totally mis-
Informed; that this is one OF the most inviting
counties IN the world 10 the European emigrant
in soil, in climate, in mineral productions, 10
every element that can raise a nation TO the high
est degree OF prosperity in agricultural aud man
nfactnTes. The hrst sep necessary is to dsabuse
British people and British capitalists of their
erroneous ideas and he viii assist in doing H.
No more money will be sent here by European
capitalists TO assist IN cntivsting large plantations,
for the system is regarded as certain to fail
The description OF immigrants that ought to be
attracted hitler are industrious men, with small
means, say four OF five hundred pounds sterling,
and to secure such an immigration, opportunities
must be afforded them to buy lands which
they can +farm, and they must have as.
suraDce that they will be met when they
land by some assC citation that will al wise and
direct them for the best and will protect them
from land sharks and land runners, and from every
other imposition that may be attempted to be
pTaciictd upon them on their way TO their new
b, mes.
To attain this end Mr.. Eyeritt thought the or
ganization OF cooperative land associations in
each of the Southern states would be a great in
strumeDtality.
I'm he course of his speech, Mr.. EYeritt ai.
verted to miscoDception of his remarks in regard
to southern railroad in the report of his address
TO the Chamber Of Commerce, published in the
CREsCRSF. He was represented a. saying thstthe
southern railroad system was the best he knew.
He explained last evening that be had reference
TO the street railroads ia New Orleans, which, he
said. were the best managed he had ever seen.
As to the general railroads system of the country
ha fts,A ,.ha
net work OF railway. ard he thoughtthe structures
and equipments very good. all the circumstances
Of the country considered. but il would be exag-
geTaiion in him to say the roads were better thaa,
or as good as those IN Europe. where railways are
20 durable ard so systematically managed ]
General Richardson spoke after Mr.. Everi;t,
going into history of the origin and progress Of
African slavery, and showing that the institution
was established on this continent by England
and was fastened upon the South by the North.
The South was The vicarious sufferer for the
guilt of others, in manfully and Openly strug.
Cling for the maintenance Of a system forced
upon them originally. With all the disas.roas
results of the war, Gen. r. had an abiding faith
in the recuperatiye powers Of the Southern peo-
pie. and with their soil. their climate. and their
boundess revenues, there was no reason why
they should not again become great and prospe.
rOus- He explained that 1t was through mis- per-
suasoDs Mr.. Eyeritt was induced 10 visit the
South, and although the plan for its regeneration
suggested by Mr.. T., differed from his own original
project somewhat, he fully concurred 10 il and
would recommend its adoption throughout the
South. Influential and responsible gentlemen in
Mobile had already taken hold and were working
10 form an extensive organization throughout the
State Of Alabama. A part of the plan wa in
connection with such organizations TO establish
bureau some here TO systematic the transporta
ton of immigrants and protect them from
sharpers, and although the location of this
bureau had not been decided. he thought
theE situsuon of New Orleans, at the entrance
Of the great river that, with its branches.
perneates the Mississippi valley, would command
the institution. Gen. Richardson's remarks were
frequently applauded.
In tie course Il his speech he read the follow.
ing as the circular which is TO be addressed to
land holders in the several States and which gives
an outline Of the organizations proposed to be
formed:
ave beg TO call your attention to a proposal
made with view TO assist in the cultivation and
development of our land, and its resources.
- 1t is presumed that the two things required
are labor and money; and il is believed opportu-
tunites present themselves 10 secure both Of these
requirements in the same person; there being
large number of persons. with small means sutfis
Gent for the cultivation Of small farm holdings,
looking for such opportunities. as can offer all
over turope-especisily in Germany, England,
Scandinavia and other countries.
[" The proposal is, therefore, that owners OF
lard shall form themselves into an association,
under the general laws Of the State, and such
special ieeisiatlun 90 may be needed: putting IN
their lands at their present d preciated value, by
well qualified assessment and receiving for them
fully paid up stock Of the company.
The ARTICLES of association, by which these
proceedings will be regulated, will take power 10
purchase, SELL rent, lease, cultivate. improve and
otherwise deal with their lands in a general way;
also providing for the borrowing Of money ny
mortgage, but not more than one third Of the
assessed value Of the lands belonging TO the com
Iany.
The trust deed of such mortgage providing
that such moneys so raised shall DE applied oniy
in the improvement of the lands, rivers, water
courses repairing of evees. etc., aud the neees.
ssry expenditure Of the company legally, msnsg-
erisIly, and otherwise. u
1t is proposed that the company shall be
called The National Freehold Laud Company Of
louisiana or Whatever Stase the company IS or
gained in.
cit Is desirable that the lands should be healthily
located, easy OF access, and as ready for culture
as possible.
Believing that this course is a safe and prscti-
cable one, giving the landowner an isterest in The
Improvement of the lands he contributes, aud
currespondinely increasing the value of all he
sy have besides, aud securing the immigration
OF intelligent people of some means-the thing
our country so much Beeds-we commend il TO
your serious consideration.
This plan is approved by Mr.. Everitt OF L9T-
bard street, Lcndon, whose business relations are