Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-11-01
IMMIGRATION.

To the Editors Of the Union and American:
The leading papers of the State seem to
have commented very favorably upon the
resolution offered in the House of Repre-
sentatiyes, by the honorable mem0er from
Shelby, touching the subject of immigra-
ton, asking that protection Of the immi-
grant, to which he is entitled when he ar
rives on these shores. The subject in
question will doubtless meet the unani-
nous concurrence of every member of the
House and find responsive echo from eve
ry intelligent mind in the State having the
prosperity of Tennessee at heart. Many
letters have appeared in the papers of Nash
vile and Memphis, some against, but more
III favor of encouraging the bone and sinew
of Europe to come here and develop the re-
sources of the State, possessing as she
does all the elements of success,
calculated at no very distant day to rank
her second to no State in the Union. Humid
dreds of letters have also found their way to
Great Britain inviting immigration to the
State of Tennessee; these however do very
little good unless they bear the signature of
some responsible party known to the people
of that country. 1t is true some have an
objection to seeing their names in print fear
DESTROYS of notoriety, but any writer who
is not ashamed of his past record and whose
name has never been associated with dis
honor need not have any fears when giving
publicity to a plain statement of facts on
the subject of immigration or any other
scheme having for its object the advance
ment of civilization and the incul-
cation of great principles that will
To-
some years | have suggested the propri-
ETY. of the State having the entire manage
ment of immigration. In the first place
would suggest that an appropriation be
made for the purpose, that is to say, for
agents to be employed at the discretion of
the Governor, whose duty it should be to
proceed TO Europe and by every means in
their power point out to the people of that
country the advantages to be obtained by
bringing their capital and industry to Ten
nessee. Other States have adopted the
above plan, and believe with great success.
The agents to be sent abroad should be ma
tives of the country to which they have been
sent, for the reason that the unsophiSticated
would have more confidence in the repre-
sensations of their own countrymen. The
agents should also be Endorsed by theMayor Of
the village or town he came tromln England,
Ireland, France or Germany before he re-
ceives his appointment from the Governor,
so that the State should not suffer from i'm
position. This being accomplished, it
would necessitate the appointment of a rem
devious, say at Memphis, Nashville and
Knoxville; agents at the above named places
to be in communication with planters, real
estate agents, and, in fact, all in need of
laborers-mechanics and agriculturists. If
this plan was adopted by the State of Ten
nessee, I'll venture the assertion that thou
sands in Europe who are totally ignorant of
the resources of this State will come and
cultivate your lands, and add materially to
her wealth and prosperity. 1t only needs
energy and perseverance on the part of your
public men to agitate the great question of
immigration, and thus enable the State 10
rise from her late proStratiOn.
THOS. w. WHITE.
MAXWELL House