The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-04-14
HOW to get Immigrants.

That immigration is desirable is almost uni
YersaIly conceded We need laborers -intelh-
pept. and efficient laborers-hut, above all, We
need rood, substantial citizens, who shall have
an interest in the welfare of the country, own
(. property, pay taxes, and helpby their votes and
by the increased prosperity they would bring, to
raake taxes light. 1t is men-whlte men-who
come here with their families and come to stay,
that we want. It matters comparatively little
where they come from, providing they are in
telligent, industrious, ,law-abiding people, and
become permanent settlers, Europeans and
Northerners should be equally welcome. Once
esfablished here, their interest and ours will be
one, and all can work together to promote the
prosperity of the Stste.
Well, the practical question is how shall we
get such immigrants 1t strikes us that we are
not at present, at least in South Carolina,
taking the right course. We are calling loudly
for immigrants, but are not placing before them
the proper inducements to come here-that Is
as general rule We appeal TO them as la6orers.
We ask them to come here and acork for US for
uaqe-yery low-wages too. They can work for
other people at home, or if they come to Ameri-
CO. they can get far better wages at the West.
But the better class of immigrants class
we want-do not come hereto work for wages.
Many of them may hire out for time, and
there viii always be those among them who
will be available as hired laborers, but the pri-
mary idea with them all is to become land
owners, and make themselves comfortable, per-
fnanent homes; and we shall never get them to
come here In large numbers till we recognize
this naotiYe and appeal to it in some efectual
vtaY.
We have surplus lands In abundance Our
undeyeloped resources are immense. Our CHI
mate is unsurpassedand greatly superior to that
of the West. No country in the world offers to-
day go many advantages to the settler as the
South, and, whatever prejudiced or politically
interested parties may say to the contrary, there
: Is no region where the inlmig grant, if well dis
posed, Will meet with warmer welcome or
kinder treatment, or find more sympathizing
and helpful neighbors.
DO not these facts suggest the means of in
dueing immigration? We think so.
The immigrants want land. They generally
have a little money, but not much. Many of
them are not able to buy land, but could put up
slog lanse and stock little farm We have
millions OF acres good unimproyed land that Is
utterly useless to those who own it, Might we
not adyantageensly offer a portion of this sur
plus to immigrants on the sole condition that
7shey settle on and improveit. Who does not see
that if one-fourth of all our land were disposed
of in this way that the remaining three-fourths
would soon be worth far more. than the whole
now is. One may give fifty acres, another
hundred, q third five hundled divided into
snail tracts, and so on. The aggregate would
srscars to.inillions. Then let the fact be pub
lished to the world In several languages made
known throughout america and Europe, to-
gether with the, advantages of soil, climate and
social privileges connected with it, and extra
facilities afforded for getting to these lands and
commencing operations on them. Here would
be substantial Inducements to these people, and
they would not be slow to see them.
; All parties would be benefited by such an ar
rangement. The immigrant would get q home,
the country would get good citizens we should
get the labor we need, tbut shall not get by our
direct appeals, J for these people would bring
with them or draw after them asurplus of bone
and muScle adapted to our purposes.
We are aware that this is no new idea A
few have offered to give land to immigrants on
certain. conditions, and attempts have been made
to induce general movement in this direction.
The time had not come We believe the coun-
sry Is now ripe for it. What we want, at the
present time, is concerted. organized and per-
sistent effort An individual can do little In
this matter. The people of the State, acting
together, can do everything.
Perhaps no better agencies for initiating the
enterprise can be- suggested than our County
Agricultural Societies. Will they not takehold
of the matter at once and in earnest? The con-
vention of such societies to be held in this city,
In May, can then take measures, iH concert, if
practicable, with the existing immigration So
ciety, to organize ageneral agency for the State,
which will give unity and strength to the move
ment-RnrG CaroliniGn.
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