Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-06-02
II GODS TRUTH.

The common complaint and real
misfortune Of tradesmen in all South
ern cities arises from the simple fact
that there are relatively too many
merchants, lawyers, and jewellers in
cities and villages as compared with
the number Of tilleTs of the soil. In
no country on the globe have small
farmers grown rich so rapidly as, since
the extinction OF slavery, in the South.
Farmers with narrow fields, along lit
tie streams, in blooming valleys, CUlti-
waited by he owner Of the soil and his
sons, have accumulated money with a
rapidity never known before. Every
where ia the poorest counties Of Mis-
sissippi and Alabama, where each.
family c~ultivates its own garden and
cotton and corr, the people prOsperan N
the country is enriched and becomes
more and more denseiy populated,
On the contrary, wherever broad plan
tatiOns are sought to be cultivated, ten
have failed to each one that has
sought sudden wealth through hired
industry. 1t is thus palpably
demonstrated, not only that planta-
tons should be subdividedinto farms,
but that recourse must be had to i'm
migrants. 1t is absurd to suppose
that foreigners, quite as intelligent as
those who propose to employ them,
will be content to fill the position of
mere menials. They see broad acres
everywhere untitled. They soon be-
come conscious Of the necessities OF
the country and Of the people, and are
little disposed to occupy positions
growing out of the relations of land
lord and tenant, or of planter and la
bOrer. In fact, however thoroughly
| Northern Americans and Europeans
are imbued with the idea of negro and
white equality, they never fail to for
get the fine theory in practical life,
and no white man W-hencesOever he
may migrate, viii submit TO practical
or social equalization with the negro.
The test has been applied every
where in this vicinity, and Germans,
Scandinavians, French and Swiss
people, like New Englanders, revolt,
annul contracts and abandon the
country, whenever they are made to
supply the places Of blacks in cotton
and corn fields. There must be a sub
division Of plantations. Plans must
be adopted by which foreigners seek
ing homes may become absolute own
ers of the soil. They are not only
made content, but are soon assimi-
lated to Us in habits Of life, in modes
Of thinking, and as rapidly do they be.
come conscious of an identity Of for
tune and interest with the masses of
the people.
It is not simply a question Of labor
supply, but of white citizen supply,
which this convention may DISCUSS. 1t
is not simply a question Of in
dustrial prosperity, but Of civil rights
and political security and repose. The
simple idea that the white is to be
substituted for the black hborer and
voter is absurd and impossible. There
will beuo competition between whites
and blacks. Europeans who leave
homes in the land Of their fathers,
who abandon friends and kindred and
disrupt ties halloWed by the tenderest
memories, do not come hither to as
sumo the position Of b0ndsmen or OF
mere dependents. They Will always
demand the only boon, perfect per-
sonal independence, that would Justify
a change which disrupts relations IN
life sanctihed by the endearments of
home, kindred aud country. The
primary necessity is subdivision and
sale Of lands, and not less important
is the instruction Of the masses of our
/ own people as to the modes Of think
ing, habits Of life and aspirations of
European immigrants. Above all, the
/ exercise Of wise forecast is required in
providing for the wants OF Immigrants
until they may provide for themselves.
Foul wrongs have been done many
people Of many natiOnalities by selfish
Ignorance. Many foreigners have
been brought hither only TO go away
wronged, robbed, sickened, uncared