Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-07-29
CHINESE LABOR.

OhA III vi GNAAAkA( "a AINN ACAAhNa ~
yesterdays Avalanche on the subject
of the introduction of Chinese labor
in the South. 1t is very well that in
telligent men should look into this
subject. And because we respect Mr..
IRRELEVANT we welcome an express
sion of his views, be they what they
may. If we understand him, he con-
sents that we need addiponal labor,
but contends that we should look for
it to our own Northwestern States,
not to China. But suppose we can
not or do not get it from the North
west-what then? Does he propose
to let the one half of our untitled lands,
which now lie idle remain so rather
than take Chinese or any other labor
shich can be obtained? If he owns
land, and has not the laborers to cul-
tivate it, will he let it lie fallow in Or
der to maintain the reputation of act
ing consistently with his own theO-
ries? Most men needing labor will
purchase it whenever they cal get
that which is efficient. Speaking of
the negroes and the Chinese, he says
" one is industrious, thrifty and will
ing to work on very cheap terms.
The other is lazy, unthrifty and un-
willing to work, except for high
wages" Which does he mean? We
take that to be a compliment to
the Chinese-which seems incon-
sistent with his purpose. He
says1the South does not need labor
ers-only." Weanswer the South does
not need land only. He thinks that
abundance of mere laborers" will
not restore Southern liberties. Does
he propose to do without labOrers for
that reason? What about the money
result? He apprehends a collision of
races, and that this "wOuld end in
n nee or the other being driven
from the country, and the land owners
completely subject to the merciless eX-
actions of the race remaining.'t Well,
that is just what we have now, so that
the danger is not very alarming. Has
he reflected that at the present rate of
progression the numbers of the negro
population are dwindling as fast as the
Chinese can be brought in?
But he says the South needs intel
ligent, voting, white laborers." Very
well, the more the merrier-bring
them in. While he would pull down
the new scheme for Chinese immigra-
ton, what does he propose as a SUBJ
stitute which will do better? We are
all agreed to get the best labor we can,
and, consequently it would seem we
should favor the present enterprise, as
experiment, to get such as we can.
1t will not play smash generally and
ruin the universe TO bring a few thou
sand of the Chinese, or the descend
of Ghengis Khan and Tamerlane,
TO till our now waste lands or
open up our boundless forests.
If the first experiment proves
unsatisfactory and realises the dolo-
rous fears of Mr.. IRRELEVANT, then
we should say just quit it, that is all.
The proof of the pudding is in chew
ing the bag. Our intelligent Conven-
ton has initiated one plan. think
it best to stick to it, as the Connecti-
cutters did to the law of the Bible, IN
til we can find time to "makc a
better"
In one sentence he says, "All will
admit we need that labor" and get
in another he says 1T is our interest
to cultivate4ess," and eXclaims, "let
US not run crazy because we cannot
all tho open lands in the
South" That would be foolish
enough, we grant. But he wants
more labor because he wants to culti-
waite better the half of our land which
we now work. Well, suppose W. do
that, and then cultivate the other half
too? Suppose we get as much of his
better labor from the Northwest and
everywhere else as we can, China in
cluded-what of it? anybody hurt,
when it is remembered that the little
alone, of his own railroad,
makes a small dot on the map
Of the world, is capable of producing
annually more cotton under old fash
toned culture than was ever produced
in all the Southern States combined?
nature abhors vacuums, and
money, like the waters of the earth,
seeks an equilibrium, why should not
the population of the globe also obey
the same law? What is the sage phi
and new light wisdom which
in the way of the old fogy"
reason and experience of mankind
and forbids over-crowded populations
Of the oldwOrld from flowing in when
the door is open, and filling up the
vast wastes and fellingthe endless for
asts and peopling the infinite domain
the new world? VIII the mighty
tide, prompted by the interests of cap
ital and labor alike, be stopped by an
argument?
But, says Mr.. TBEzEVANT, . we
must learn to make small farms, UNI
der skillful culture, produce what our
ones have heretofore done under
a ruinous system" That is all right, |
and just what crowded populations
like the Chinese have learned best of
all to do. We shall stop wasting lands
when we can make more money by
retaining them than by opening new
mot before. Men are not likely to
pay ten dollars an acre to improve old
land when they can buy and open vir-
gin soil for two. 1t is human naturish
TO take the shortest road to make mo-
ney, and lugubrious cries about pos
terity viii be answered by the cry
that money makes the mare go
let posterity take are of it
self The arguments which 90 so