The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-25
IMMIGRATION.

tries, or improved metn0uS OF maDipula-
tions are most easily transplantsd and
take firm root if proved advantageous in
urng to the public veal. The humble
artisan, landing as did the exiled Flemings
in England, with nothing but thorough
practical knowledge Of the manufacture of
woolen fabrics, may have an empty pocket
and yet by application of that knowledge,
contribute far moro to the wealth of the
country wherein he seeks home and oc-
cupation, than the trader with weH-fll-
ed pocket book.
We have seen intimations to the effect
that the manufacture of silk fabrics may
probably be introduced into the United
States by emigrants from revolutionary,
unfortunate France, and such an event APP
pears highly probable, when we consider
the volcanic condition which exists in that
distracted, though still powerful country.
Ii some of the Lyons or st. Etienne
manufacturers should seek that quiet for
their operations they have failed to secure
at home, and migrate, with their skilled
workmen, to Newark or elsewhere in the
United States, now that facilities are
offered by the Union Pacific railroad for
procuring the needed raw material, it is
no wild dream to suppose that twenty
years would see this country as indepen-
dent of imported silks, as we are already
OF imported carpets, blankets, pins, Hosiery
aud even broadcloth.
In another respect immigration is valu-
able; and in this only, for the present at
least, can it be advantageous to Virginia
that is, bringing into an old, impoverished,
Tntted community, new ideas, cosmopolitan
sentiments, and additional cash resources.
The greater vacuum mus. be filled first;
the necessary industry, most common and
most depressed, be first revivifed In
Virginia agriculture, the most necessary
branch of industry, is most depressed.
Under the old upas of slavery it seemed to
prosper, but it was only appearance, like
"a goodly apple rotten at the core" The
mudSils were rotten, and when the shock
eame,it brought instant and absolute ruin to
the seeming fair fabric. The superstructure
of aristocracy sustained great injury, but
still because it suffered less) had vitality
vitality sufficient to become powerful and
prosperous, had sufficient note been taken
by its leaders of the needs of the workers.
the mudsills of society.
But the effort appeared to be to lamp
the disjonted, disorganzed parts into their
former places, without proper re-arrange-
ntof those elements upon which society
stands-the duties and rights of the
several classes. The inevitable consequence
followed and, after Earring on for awhile,
the whole machine had to be stopped for
Reconstruction its condition much worse
than before, and more exten sive repairs
needed.
Three elements are absolutely requisite
to success in agriculture-money, skilled
direction and manual labor. Is it not true
of our present condition in many counties,
that we have only the last element in ade-
quate supply; that of the young, energetic
men who form such an important item of
the second element, many have died brave
ly in a fruitless cause, or have left their |
mother State in search of even living re-
Enumeration elsewhere, because they had |
not and could not procure the first essen
tial element to convert labor into profit on
worn out lands-money.
immigration may supply the deficiency
in two of these elements, money and |
skilled direction, in proportion to which
we have now large surplus of manual
labor, and, therefore, such immigration
simple laborers) is not needed, in fact,
would be disadvantage for the present,
though it forms at least seven-eighths of
of the volume of immigration from foreign
countries. What is deficient in our agri-
cultural elements, money and skilled
must come in the same hands
or they will be useless, for no farmer can
succeed whose operations are carried on
with borrowed capital at the high value OF
money in Virginia, or even in other States.
This class of Immigrants, those having
money or skill, move cautiously; and we
heartily concur with the Wing in the re-
remark that Something must be done" in
this matter, and sat once" though we dis
sent entirely with its further expressed
opinion, that the Senate bill "to provide
For bureau of immigration" at, proba.
BILE cost to the State of $4,000 per an
NUN, is the best thing "that could be de-
vised for the purpose"
We should have popular system, man.
,ged by persons interested in lis success,
md familiar with things agricultural in Il
all their detail and ramifcations. The
executive officers of the Commonwealth
have other and cumulative duties req uiring G
IN entirely different order Of talent, and
describing their entire attention. AS er-
,6icio members they would give weight to
he action of the bureau--as MANAGERS