Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-03-30
Immigration Changes.


For fcw years pas, n romarkable
diversity has been observable IN the
character and nationality Of The vast
tide Of foreign immigrants that con.
tinucs TO pour in upon our shores
through the channels of New York.
Half generation ago, the Irish con
tingent far ovcrtopped, nay, almost
swnmped oil the rest. Then, gradu-
ally, the German quota began 10 in
crease, until II lowered, at last, above
the Irish. Tho English clement was
very limited, and the Scandinavian
and otter ngtionalities were represen-
ted in feeble proportions. Since the
close Of our civil war however, tho
Scandinavian influx has become posi-.
lively powerful, and the French and,
Italians mako n very fair numerical
show, while the English delegation
begins TO rival the Hibernian.
In the year 1869, as we learn by
the latest annual report of our New
York Commissioners of Emigration, -
although why tho word Immigration"
is used is a query, since they have
nothing TO do with those who cmigratc
from the United States, the total
number of alien passengers arriving
at this port was 25S,9S9, or 5,303
more than in the pre- ceeding year, and
1889 above the average Of the recent
past.
From analysis of the register, il ap-
pears that, although the Germans still
numbered 90,605, or more than $4,000
excess Of the Irish, they had slightly
fallen of, while the latter had gained
fully so per cent. This discloses the
important fact that it required a
Ilibernian increase of one half, to
come within two thirds Of the Teutonic
immigration, even although the latter
had declined.
But the pure English immigration
amounted to Al 900, having increased
30 per cent. in the one year. Thus,
the English and German quotas, taken
together, amount to S,2S7-morc than
twice as much as the Irish.
These figures bear very forcibly
upon the political elements of coun-
try where universal suffrage is the
rule, and where the rights Of citizen
ship arc so easily acquired. especially
when it is quite evident that the
influx from Germany is certain to in
crease, owing to impending complica-
tions and threatened war upon the
European Continent. On the other
hand, in ireland, the condition of
things is greatly improving. The
country is developing; agriculture
has advanced; there is no forced
military conscription; and son of
the soil has some chance TO make
good living at home.
The distribution of this human tide
also presents some curious features.
New York, always standing foremost,
of course, with her great port of entry
and large interior cities, absorbs S5,.
$40, although it is question whether
at least half of that number do not
move on TO the interior, after recruit
ing health and pocket here, II such bo
their good fortune. Illinois is tho
next recipient, and she finds homes
for 3S.2l3 in her beautiful towns and
fertile fields Pennsylvania, - the
grand old Keystone State,-already
so tinctured with German aud Swe-
dish blood, stands third upon the list,
with 80, ,l25. Then follows Wisconsin,
with l7,0O3; Ohio, l2, ls0; Massachu-
setts, 1854 Iowa, s, PIG; New Jersey,
S,l0l; and Michigan, 1921. Caliior-
MIA, owing to its distance, gets only
3,S06 Most Of the Europeans who 90
thither make the direct passage by
sea from the home-port Of embarka-
ton.
1t is plain enough that the great
food Of German immigration sets
steadily toward the West, while the
Irish linger chiefly in the cities and
large towns. The consequence is that
the former more readily become estab-
lished owners Of real estate, aud
extend their operations into large
enterprises. This fact will tell most
advantageously upon tho future of
their race in America. The South,
too, begins to attract them, more and
more, and as they enter it, in the right
direction, and become better aequain-
ted with the climate and resources Of
the country, they find the bugbear
stories that have been told them
melting away from their imsginations,
and learn that beautiful homes and
almost endless harvests await industry
and sobriety, as well as in the West.
In a word, she great work OF set
Ting and utling our vast national
domain goes bravely on, and the sup
ply Of hands and brains ready for the
task, augments with the requirements.