The Portland daily press., 1869-10-20

Emmi grafton 10 h''
In another column the reader is referred to |
some discussion and action by the Louisville, |
XIV. Commercial Convention, upon the subject |
oflegslative measures to promote the immgra-
ton of Northern Europeans to the Southern
States. 1t appears that nearly all those States
since the war have adopted measures to encour-
age foreign emigration. 1t is now proposed to
continue these measures and to supplement
them by further action.
1t may haye been supposed that the dIstri- |
button OF the foreigners, annually arriving up |
on our Shores to different sections of the |
country was wholly determined by the volun-
tary choice Of the new corners, influenced by |
conditions of climate, soil, and general pros |
perity Of the regions chosen. But we Rave
no doubt it has been more influenced by CT
rect action and persistent canvassing and So
iicitation by agencies carefully employed and
paid by the different States. Nearly all the
new Western States have such agencies. and
regular system OF advertising their aJyan-
tages in Europe and aiding in forwarding set
ierS over the most direct and cheapest lines of
travel The South wisely sees her future
prosperity in the direction of an increased en- |
igration, and her agents will be in Europe,
magnllying the attractions of her mild eli |
mate, her cheap lands, and her copious and
valuable productions. Even distant Montana
with her sparsely peopled and poor territory,
concerts measures 10 fiji her mountain valleys
with Germans, Irish, and Swedes.
We regard the season as opportune to call
the attention of the people of Maine again to
this subject, as one most sensibly affecting
their future prosperity. Maine is still new
State, the only one in New England, unless
we also include New Hampshire, which is not
occupied throughout its extent by a thrifty
people, sufficiently populous to IN axe the best
uses of present resources. Such wealthy States
as Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Isl
and, have no care to increase their popula-
tons, but rather to provide abroad for their
surplus increase of people. But Maine was
arrested in 1880 in growth, up to that time
as rapid as any other new State. Our clear
ings into the vast northern wilderness have
almost stopped. We scarcely incorporate one
new town year. The growth of Aroostook
County is almost counteracted by the decay
OF older regions, and the general stagnation of
the seaboard
1t cannot be denied that the intelligence
brought by the newspapers aud the letters Of
emigrating friends, instead of stimulating our
people to better their fortunes at home, brings
the suggestion of easier fields and more rapid
ly won fortunes at the West and the South.
Inc lumber business, immensely profitable to
capitalists and proprietors, make poor. hard
worked dependents OF the operators. All its
advantages are so InonopoIized, that young
men OF spirit and ambition want to go where
they can become proprietors. The very build
ing OF railroads and opening new lines of sea-
travel stimulates and facilitates emigration
A drouth, a blighted potato crop, sends our
people away in schools, and doubtless the loss
es incident to the late destructive gale will
help weaken the feeble attachments of manv
OF our fellow citizens, and turn their thoughts
upon easier fortunes in some less rigorous
cline.
We cannot arrest this tendency to emiora
ton, il we would. We do not crudae the con-
troutlon we make of enterprising and educat-
ed men TO build other States ON the Pacific
and in the Mississippi Valley. We must supply
Its place by zealously promoted immigration
from Europe. At the Louisville Convention
it was demonstrated, that the North and
South starting equal in 1870, the former had
outstipped the latter by just about the number
OF foreign immigrants, and their descendants.
that had come almost exclusively to the North.
We believe it might be made to appear that
the arrest Of the rapid growth of Maine dates
at the diversion to New York and Boston of
the emlgrant ships that used to land at Hall
fax at st. John and pour their passengers
through the whole breadth of the State on
foot towards Observation-Disclosures settling on
the way.
Maine still holds the gates of the CONT
nent. The cheapest and shortest steam line
from Europe ends in Portland more than half
the year. We have the first chance of solicit
ing the newly arrived adventurer to ride in
our coach. Shall we give him an official in
vitaton?
Earnest recommendations upon the subject
of encouraging immigration have been made
py our present Governor, and by two. at least
" ms P'eueeSssois. II society was formed to |
carry out those recommendations, of able but |
busy men, who probably never met together
even to compare plans upon the subject
Ihere has been no money put into the mat.
ter.
Let us h..-------ew presentation of the sub-
Ject' Let the next Legislature have strong
committee who shall invite able men outside
to appear before them and present their views.
Let the State devote not less than $4,000 a
year for five years to carry out whatever plan
may be adopted. Let first-rate man from
the State or from out of the State be sent to
the Baltic, with salary adequate to his whole
term expended in lecturing, soliciting, dissem-
mating information and making engagements
with emigrants to settle in our State, and let
there be an Office here in Portland, with the
necessary officers, to procure the newly arriy
ed people North and East and make contracts
Tor their employment. A nucleus once form
ed Of Swedes, Germans, Irish or English
would soon attract others of the same kin
though it would be desirable to select a neo.
pc used to hard winters and rugged soil. to
whom our rough State would be cop,para-