The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-08-14
Chinese labor.
TIE CONVENTION AT MEMPHIS.

we learn from one Oh our CltlEelS
who attended late Convention at Mem
phis that whilst much yalpable informa-
ton was afforded in the Interchange Of
views in that assrmblage, and deep
interest excited in the subject upon
which the Convention was engaged, this
important division of opinion arose.
The citizens of Memphis and the people
in the vicinity We're esp cially ardent
and urgent in favor of concentration
of effort and capital in behalf of the
company organized at that place for
the introduction of Chinese laburr1s by
way OF California. To this the Louis
ana aud the Gulf Shore delegates made
the very obvious objection that the Labor
could be introduced more advantageous
ly and cheapIy by water transportation
direct from China, and that whilst they
would cordially cooperate and sylnpa-
thize in any aud all enterprises to bring
Chinese into the South from California.
they could not bind themselves to that
mode of importation, wien a better one
might be availed OF by the formation of
companies to bring them by water direct,
thereby avoiding besiIrs The additional
expense, the danger of losing mary Of
the laborers by various influences and
attractions which might be brought to
bear on them in their long passage
through the country to their destination
in the South,
This objection appears to us to be a
fair and proper one, and hardly justifes
the fierce protests with which it was re-
ceived by Gen. Pillow and others. 1t
is very obvious that this labor is more
needed and essential in the extreme
South than in the Northern portion OF
the Valley of the Mississippi, aud that
our climate and country are better adapted
to the Chinese habits and consti uton
than the higher latitudes. 1t is proper
that the influx, therefore, should be first
into the extreme South, aud should
gradually extend N>rthward. Its here
that the adaptability OF this labor will BE-
first and best tested; it is here that the
Chinaman will feel most at home, and
will find in greatest abundance the food
and the avocations for which he is fitted,
and where the great object of working
them in large gangs can be most satisflc-
torily demonstrated. Beside the cotton
culture, we have that of sugar and rice,
for.which he is especially needed We
have, in fact, three products that demand
that species of labor, to the single one
which is presented in the region that
will be supplied through the Memphis
company.
Beside this, there are other obvious
advantages from the introduction of
these ]aborers direct, without exposing
them to the influences and temptations
that surround them from the time they
land on the Pacific coast, which must
speak loudly in favor of the transporta-
ton, so much cheaper too, by sea, and
across the isthmus direct to New Orleans.
1t is no sectional OF local feeling which
prompts preference for this mode of
importation, but the rpasuns in favor of
it appear to be unauswerable. They
present no argument, however, why our
Memphis. friends should not prosecute,
with all their energy and enterprise. their
plan for the introduction of these labor
ers, but should urge our planters TO like
efforts in behalf of cheaper and more
practable mode of carrying Gut the same
ohject.-N. O. Times.