The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-04-21
EdLIorL..I Corresponding.
CH1cAeo. April. 1870.


State. The wealth of Mississippi lies in
her fertile lands OF varied capabilities
her valuable water powers-her immense
forests-and her delightful and salubrious
climate. To present these advantage
temptingly to the eye of the emigrant seek
ing a new home, the Commissioner should
have knowledge of the peculiarities OF
her soil and the attractions of her climate,
and should possess the industry TO circu-
late publications in Europe and to flood
the great lines of travel with circulars ex-
planning these facts and demonstrating
that our State is the place for profitable
investment in lands with a view TO per-
manent settlement and for remuneratiye
employment the year round.
To efforts of this kind are mainly at
tributable the tide of immigration wlich
has poured into the Western States, and
which continues to populate and enrich
them. In less than ten years Kansas will
have population of four Millions and
she is but an example Of what her sister
commonwealth have done, and are doing.
While these facts are serving As exam
piles for Mississippi, they should also re-
mind her people of the immense compe-
tition with which she will have to contend
in diverring immigration to her own soil.
1t should be remembered that the emf
grants on reaching the shores of America,
will incline to follow their friends who
7 have preceded them and settled in other
localities, and that they can only be in
duced to change their direction by prop
er representation of the inducements 10
settle in the South. They should be re-
minded that here are vast acres once in a
high state of cultivation, but now return
ing to their natural wildness, literally
signing for the hand Of industry. These
acres can be bought at low prices and on
favorable terms, or cultivated for good
wages IN money, or for liberal portion
of the crop. And that the emigrant in
stead Of having to plunge into wilder
ness, remote from railroad and market,
and school house and church-will find
all these blessings of civilization prepared
to his hand.
From 1859 to 1869, inclusive, nearly
five millions Of emigrants arrived in New
York and of this number the entire
South, not including Missouri, received
but few thousand 1t is unnecessary
to state the causes. They no longer eX-
ist Within the next decade il is pre-
sumed the aggregate will be doubled
and there is no reason Why the South,
considering her superior attractions,
should not receive one-half Of the whole
number, or say four or five millions
Mississippi's share will depend somewhat
upon the policy of the newly established
government; but mainly upon the asso-
ciated and individual effort of her citi- F.
zens.
No one can travel along the lines of
our Railways without observing that the |
immigration enterprises of the season just /
closing, though commenced late, and .
prosecuted without the benefit of expert
ence, have been productive of great good .
in relieving the labor famine. \ new
class Of laborers are now employed on all
the roads, and many farms are cultivated
entirely by white laborers who themselves
expect to become proprietors within
short period Henceforward the business
may be conducted by Societies and indi-
viduals by the light of the small expert
ence we have already had, more systemat-
ically than before, and with reference to
the adapGbility Of emigrants to the places
and occupations for which their training
has suited them. To the emigrant in
search of a permanent home, these facts
should be always held up That fertile
lands convenient TO Railroad and market,
can be purchased at low rates; and that
employment can be obtained
for persons not prepared to purchase, for
the entire year, and not for three to six
or eight months as in the Northern States
where the poor laborer is compelled to
expend during the long winter, to keep
soul and body together, the means which
he has accumulated during the other sea-
sons
In connection with this subject of emf
grafton, it behooves our people and State
authorities whoever they may be, to take
a decided stand in favor of such naturali-
cation policy as will clothe the new settler
with the privilege of voting, and all other
rights of citizenship, Immediately on his
taking an oath renouncing his allegiance
to any foreign government and declaring
his intention to become a citizen of this
status which he does assume
to all intents and purposes whenever he
takes the oath. This policy accords with
the liberal doctrine which is now professed
by both parties and which is practiced by
the party in possession of the government
except in its dealings with ''unrepentant
rebels" In retrospecting his editorial
career, the writer can find no chapter
more pleasant for remembrance, nor more
n accord with his matured convictions
If justice and sound policy, than his OPP
position to the prOscriptive doctrines of
he Know Nothing party.
E. b.
CoTToN.-In consequence of the late
less of the spring, farmers generally are
backward in planting their cot