The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-12
YEr. Dickson Gu Immigration.

Editors Chronicle and Sentinel:
In the August No. Of the Southern Cul-
fu0tor Mr.. David Dickson, of Hancock,
publishes his views On immigration, and
places this now great question in new
iirht. He is one of the few who arc ut
tcrly opposed to the schemes of immigra-
ton which now agitatc the public, and as
an emincntly practical and thoughtful
man his Judgment is entitled to high con-
sidcration. Some Of the propositions he
lays down arc rather startling to one who
has heretofore considered one side OF the
question only, especially that one in
which the scarcity of labor, so much
deplored by the planting community, is
claimed to have resulted advantageously
rather than otherwise TO their interests.
But this and other equally strong sugges-
tons are we'll sustained by facts and algu-
mcnts in his letter. Certainly if any man
will carefully and can1idly follow out in
his own mind the train Of thought upon
this subject, so clearly indicated by Mr..
Dickson, he will conclude there is quite
as much to he said against the importa-
ton Of labor to the cotton-fclds as for 1t.
IF the scarcity Of labor would induce una
nimity among planters in regard to the
promotion or area Of their several crops,
and lead them all to common purpose of
producing only so much cotton as an aggre-
gate crop as would command certain re-
munerative price, then certainly the pre-
sent labor of the country would reap
maximum value in the way of wages and
profits to the planter. Mr.. Dickson indi-
Gates distinctly that the policy Of planting
abundant corn and grain crops is wise-not
alone because it saves the buying of pro-
visions from abroad, but also because the
area in cotton is thus reduced to reason
able limit on each farm, and the lesser
| quantity brings the better price.
Taking the usual average crop Of one
| bale of cotton to three acres, eighteen acres
in cotton to each hand will make less money
to the laborer and less profits to the planter
than twelve acres, because the eighteen
acres all around would make an aggregate
crop of say 100000 bales, which would
bring not above fifteen cents, and the ten
acre system would produce say 1000, 900
bales, worth twenty-five or thirty cents.
| At these figures there would be loss on
each laborer of ten or fifteen per cent. in
money, beside the additional corn and grain
he might have had from the six acres.
When the right system of agriculture,
closely pursued, pays to the land-holder the
large profits that he now gets as an average
| from every acre he owns, taking cultivated
and uncultivated land together, 1t is hard
to see why lie should itch 10 change his in
vestmcnts, and introduce new settlers
around him to compete with the natives OF
the land in every calling they pursue.
There is not more land in the State Of Geor-
gia than is profitable to Georgians-not an
acre. Nor is there water-power in the
State that Georgians may not better own
and improve and enjoy than to induce
northern capital TO come down and fat
| ten upon and overshadow us. We have
children growing up, and they will be our
new settlers, if we leave room for them,
and they our men Of enterprise and CAPT
tai if we do not barter away their inhcri-
lance and their privileges. Mr.. Dickson
claims that the negro race is not decreasing,
as some suppose, and that the next census
viii show large increase. However that
may be, there will be negroes by the hun
dred thousand in Georgia for many years.
They will form Il large proportion OF our
population so long as we and our children
| 1--we. We cannot ignore them, ana we must
provide employment and means of living
for them. II we do not they will pray upon
us forever. While they will never make
model citizens, they will never become in
suferable, as a race, while labor will earn
them living. They will prosper most,
and those who hire them will do likewise,
while labor is scarce and in demand.
y Legislature VIGOROUSLY the weakest
that ever sat in Georgia has hurried the
State into expensive schemes for introducing
foreign settlers and laborers, and the taxes
paid by those who will be most injured by
its success goes in due proportion to aid the
enterprise. If the public will consider this
matter as its importance demands, and the
uor popuH can be heard and respected,
VIC may be saved the ignominy of paying
for the injury of our highest interests. Nc
one objects to voluntary immigration here.
All who come OF their own motion to settle
and live among US are welcomed in proper
ton to their merits, but we don't care to
pay any ones expenses. CHRISTOPHER.
The new post~ofce in New York is
heriin