Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-05-22
Immigration.

meeting of the New Hanover County Ag-
ricultural Society, there was submitted a
report upon the subject of immigration
which elected a warm discussion and
awakened much interest. We have been
promised this report, and hope to be able
to publish it in day or two. We are glad
to know that our farmers are determined to
make an experiment of the introduction OF
foreign white labor for we feel satisfied
that it will meet with success A few spas
modic efforts, here and elsewhere in the
State. have been made to form Immigra
ton Societies, which not only met with no
success, but resulted in rather dispiriting
failures. We have thought this was owing
to the fact that the parties undertaking
to build up these Societies were generally
such as were only indirectly concerned in
their establishment and success. The &C.
tive cooperation and positive aie and adj
vice of those who were immedia' sly inter
ested were needed to give vitality and
strength to the movements.
| In this view of the case, we hail with
pleasure the determined effort which is to
be inaugurated by the intelligent farmers
of New Hanover to demonstrate the practi-
cability of immigration by actual tests. We
are glad to know that men who will employ
the laborers and provide for their wants
and comforts are themselves determined to
make the experiment of importing them.
We have had enough of theorizing upon this
subject what we need is the vigorous and
practical work of men who have suffered
much, and are suffering still, by the delay
which has attended this matter.
We wish we had reliable data as to the
profits and losses Of our county farmers
during the years Of 1866 and '67. We fear
it would show but q beggarly account cur
rent. And still we are not prepared to be-
lieve, from the best information we can re-
ceive, that prospects are much improved
for the present year. And until there is
change--an entire change-in our present
system of labor, there can be no prOsperi-
ty for our farmers. The testimony of all
is to the same effect. Violations of con-
tracts, frequent absences, neglect OF work,
Incidence, often insoIence and violence,
and too frequently dishonesty, amounting
to fragrant crimes, is the concurrent testi-
mony which we receive from those who
depend upon our present laborers. What
ever may be the cause, and no fair minded
man can hesite in regard to it, the mere
fact that such is the case is the death knell
to our prosperity until it is removed. Sue
cess in any business is impossible while our
farmers are barely making support, for
all are based upon their thrift.
With the present crop three, and with
somo four, experiments will have demon
strated the impracticability of the present
system Of labor, the last attempts proving
more disastrous than the first There must
be q remedy at an early day or our land
owners will become bankrupt and the well
fare Of the country destroyed. Immi gra-
ton presents the only means to check this
evil, and while all are more or less directly
connected with it's success, it must be the
farmer at last, who will give to the enter
prize practical turn and real results. It
requires but start and necessity will give
it sure foundation. Recuperation, re-
newed energies and abundance wilt bless
our labors /; dangerous political compiica-
tons will be avoided, civil and, perhaps,
social, equality with the negroes be pre-
vented. These are among the more imme-
date results which must follow immigra-
ton. Who can contemplate all the blessings
which must flow from filling up our country
with moral, Intelligent and industrious set
tiers and laborers Who can foretell the
future glory and power of the South D.?
This great work must have beginning,
and however humble may be the first
efforts, its accomplishment will be no less
certain. But we must have thoroughly
practical pioneers, and our farmers are the
very men to put their shoulders to the
wheel If they commence in earnest, they
will not fail. "a long pull, a strong pull
and pull altogether" and success is as
sured.
In OHIO political reaction keeps pace