The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-03
ETniRrafiOn.

From the London Saturday RepteD.
The emigration movement appears to ex-
tend and gather additional vigor, and it is
impossible not to sympathize to a very great
degree with the views of its supporters
People are beginning to reflect, and not before
it was time, upon the cruel state of poverty
which exists among us. With $50, 900 per-
sons in London alone living wholly or in part
upon charity, and with the numbers increas-
ing every week, any prospect OF relief is
worth considering We are forced to admit
that it is an open question whether the vast
sums which are spent upon charity do, in the
long run, more harm than good. We talk
great deal about organizing charitable re-
lief, and the associations which aim at
that desirable object are slowly strug
Cling into existence. Yet it becomes evident
that the task which lies before them is greater
and more complicated than could have been
anticipated. All kinds of petty local jealousiss
impede their action. If they restrict them
selves to their original aim of bringing exist
ing societies into harmony, they do not con-
ciliate the necessary amount of support. If
they give way to the pressure put upon them
and spend any considerable sum in relief,
they are in danger of simply swelling the
stream Of demoralizing charities. To evade
these difficulties and to secure o strong posi-
ton will require skilful policy and a careful
feeling of the way. 1t is improbable, there
mately effect-and the excellence of their in
tentions is undeniable-they will produce any
immediate alienation to the existing distress.
The misery is amongst us; the cure, so far as
it depends upon internal operations, must
necessarily be slow in its action. very
natural impatienoe inclines US to any plan
which promises to shake off some part of our
heavy burden of pauperism by sudden
effort, instead of gradually reducing it by the
allow action of charitable reform or schemes
of educational and social improvement Such
measures may tell upon the next generation;
but we are eager to do something for the
crowds in actual existence, who are painfully
supporting themselves just above the brink
of starvation. We seem to be in need Of q
sharp surgical operation rather than a change
of diet or habits, which can only be expected
to produce gradual constitutional improve
ment Emigration is obviously the only
remedy of this kind at hand; and it is plain
that under certain circumstances emigration
may really act as great and immediate relief.
The Irish exodus, for example, saved large
number of people from starvation at the time,
and has probably produced q permanent i'm
provement in the material comforts of those
who stayed behind. If we could collect the
whole existing body of paupers and
set them down in any country that would be
willing to receive them-a condition not very
easily satisfed-we should certainly be sensi
BILE of an immediate relief, and we might use
the breathing space SO afforded to put matters
on a better footing before our population wal
once more pressing upon the means of sup
port. The Irish emigration transplanted still
greater numbers in few years, and did il
chiefly at the expense of population in still
greater depths of poverty. Many of the pre-
sent advocates Of emigration would probably
shrink from 30 heroic remedy Sir james
Lawrence for example, endeavored to prove
at the late meeting that there was no danger
of an excessive movement. This however
is just one Of the points upon which it is i'm
possible to speak with confidence The idei
OF emigration has been evidently spreading
with great rapidity amongst the working
classes. -Four years of commercial de
preston have taught them lesson which
may be converted into practice more speedily
than we expect. Nearly GO, 900 Englishmen
AZ appears from q late return, sailed from
Liverpool to the United States in the course
of last year If great demand for labo
should again spring up in America as it re
covers from the various evils of the civil war
it might find room for many times the pre-
sent number. Emigration as controlled b,
official persons will of course be directed TO
wards our own colonies; but if the Enelisl
workingman finds that thereis better chano,
of employment in the United States, he vii
certainly not be restrained from moving there
even if he uses Canada as a stepping stone
There is room enough in the West
as the Americans like to remin
us, for the whole population @
these islands II the thought Of leaving thei