Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-10-15
IMMIGRATION, LABOR, ETC.

flo the Editors of the Union and American:
4 CHICAGO, Oct. DISAPPOINTING few
days in this 'tNew York of the West
on flying business trip, take occasion
f TO say few things on the subject of i'm
Emigration, labor, etc. Our people, OF
late, you are aware, have considered these
8topics more seriously than at any former
period. The exodus of the blacks from
Tennessee has been so extensive for the
Past two or three years, that our labor is
becoming alarmingly deficient, and the
result is quite embarrassing to the agricul-
Stural interests of our division of the
sState especially.
Our white population also is decreasing
sby emigration to the Southwest. This
deficiency must be supplied, and that
speedily, or the revenue of the State will
sbe largely diminished, and every depart
sment of trade and business decline.
3These facts have been frequently pre-
Scented by the press of Nashville and the
sleading journals of the State, yet no eff
kcIent measures have been adopted to
sremedy the evil. True, we hear a
View men expressing indifference, and
some, opposition to immigration,
yet what they say does not amount to
argument and needs no reply, only to re-
sfer them to the first principles of political
ECONOMY and ethnology. That we can
obtain good class of settlers on our I'M
occupied lands and an ample supply of
laborers, have no doubt. 1 find many
shere interested in the subject of location
bin our State as manufacturers, mechanics,
Farmers and laborers. They, however,
sare fearful of unkind treatment or a cold
PERCEPTION at least, and the idea has
obtained of late, to considerable extent,
shat while settlers and lsborers may be-
desired, it is only to make sale of wild
pands and get substitute for the slave of
.ante-bellum times, with no real interest inI
either of these classes, so far as recOg-
nizing them as neighbors and citizens isl
concerned. This opinion has been pro-
duced by reports of certain parties FRONT
and West Tennessee, repre-
senting this TO be the animus of the people,
of these sections, from some cases of
wrong and oppression related. Now,
while this may be true in some instances,
1T can hardly be supposed that commu-
nifty seeking to advance the permanent
Interests of their section will continue tol
cherish such a spirit when the very op-|
posite must be the sentiment toward theI
new population which, to be of essential
benefit to us as State, must become,
sooner OF later, identified with US socially
and politically. 1t is vain TO pursue al
course adverse to this issue and expect
any substantial results from immigration.
But, Messrs. Editors, l did not intend
to philosOphize on the subject thus; par!
don the depression. My main purpose inl
addressing you now, is to communicate
the fact that, with reasonable assuranceI
|Of fair wages and proper treatment, theI
farmers of Middle Tennessee, in need of
labor, can be supplied at the rates usual
with US: For field hands and house,
help, $3.50 to SIS 90 and found;
women from $500 to $500 per month.
They can come from Nov. l to March 1,
as may be demanded; so l am informed
by responsible parties here, who proposal
10 send laborers to our section, when con-
WINGED that it will be for the best interest
of all concerned, especially the immi-
grants, the most reliable of whom GOMEZ
with their families. Thus, the way isl
open if proper action is adopted, to inau-
gurate at once system which will meet;
khe demand of our people, for intelligent,
reliable labor. E. s.