The Republican journal., 1869-07-08
FOR GOFERNOR,
Franklin Smith,
OF WATERVILLE.
THE LABOR QUESTION IN THE SOUTH

Now that the schemes of radcaism have
been carried out to their fullest extent, and
the negro has not only been emancipated, but
has declared the purpose to work no more,
and to devote his energies to politics and the
pursuit of office, the owncrS Of the fertile
lands Of the South are casting about for some
new class of laborers with the needed quail
lications. The fact that men Of pure white
blood cannot labor in the hot climate and
malarious bottom and swamp lands, is q set
tied one. FevrrS agueS, bilious disorders
and choleras rise up like angels of death
immunity from these atfliclions can alone de
velope the agricultural riches that sumber in
these virgin tracts. ready to be gathered in
the shape Of corn, rice, cotton and tobacco.
Ii must be Z people with the negro capacity
to withstand the climate, and divested of his
propensity to ape the white race in manner of
living, social custom, and politics.
Such a people may be found in the Mon
golian race of the east-hc yellow skinned,
Acknowledged Asiatic tribes They are hardy,
patient. Industrious, tractable and ccononi-
cal. Bred in & tropical climate, they are eli
abled to withstand its effects, and to labor in
situations that to white men would be deadly.
They are identical with the Coolies that have
labored on Cuban plantations with so much
success, and have been demonstrated tp be
superior To negro laborer>.
A movement ha, been quietly going on in
the South for a trial Of this labor on the
Southern plantations, and has resulted in a
call for Convention of Southern agriculture
lists at Memphis, on the 18th of July, to per-
feet a plan for forwarding Chinese emigration.
1t will be participated in by delegates from
all portions Of the South. i noted Chinese
resident in san Francisco, koopmanshaat, an
emigrant agent who has already brought to
that port over 10000 Cinnamon. will come
over the Pacific Railroad to attend the Con-
vention, and give his advice and aid in per-
fectin@ & scheme of direct immigration,
1t may be objected that this is not a choice
population to introduce largely into this coun-
try, inasmuch as they are repu>ivc in person
uncleanlv in habits. and are unmtigated
healhen. But against these may be matched
their patient industry and contentment with
a lowly lot. Upon the whole, we shall not be
surprised to find, when the new labor system
shall be fully inaugurated. that the country
has made a gain by the exchange. In Cali
fornia, the Chinese are worked in almost all
the laboriou> employments their taithfulness,
frugal habits, and low wages demanded. Civ
ing them the preference. The Pacific Rail
road beyond the Rocky Mountains was built
mainly by their labor, and ii is claimed that
they eXcelled other classes of workmen
The Chinese population of California now
exceeds 100000, and the emi grafton is IN
creasing as the demand for their services be-
comes greater. 1t will not be surprising if
we are on the eve of one of those vast immi-
grationS which have taken place in the worlds
history, fraught with unknown influences up
on the welfare of our country. 1t promises
to restore to the South its great need of
laboring population, in place of the negro,
who is getting 50 insane with flatterv ard
sudden elevation, as to be of no use save as
an ornamental appendage to the platform at
radical meetings.