The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-09-04
Grening State 9untmal.
IMMIGRATION--THE KIND WE WANT
FOR VIRGINIA.


The subject of immigration is one of
great importance in any State or country,
but in no State of this Union is it more i'm
portant than Virginia. In Western States,
population is the great desideratum |; the
emigrant who lands on the rolling prairies,
or mineral bearing ridges of those States,
is compelled by force of circumstances to
address himself to labor, as the only means
to sustain life !; and he is encouraged to
pursue that labor, by the promise of album
dant reward, roaped from the teeming vir-
gin soil he cultivates, or the rock-ribbed
mountains he pierces in search of minerals.
In the new country which he seeks,
his wants are few, the oppor-
tunites for profitable employment of
his labor abundant, and the ultimate result
almost certain to prove advantageous.
Virginia needs different class of immi-
grants. An old settled State, all the
wants engendered by advanced civilization
must be provided for unlike the virgin
soil Of Western prairies, the appliances of
capital and science are needed to make our
fields productive, there is surplus of
labor, which can and does underbid the
mere stalwart mechanic and farm laborer
hence the men who would succeed in the
West might starve here the man who
did not desire to submit to- pioneer priya-
tons, and whose means enabled him to
migrate to State, where he would still
be surrounded by educational and social
privileges, would seek, and succeed in
Virginia. 80 81 3, - s. ~.
We have had a surplus of legislation
upon this subject, but little practical, ju-
dicious effort. Land and immigration COM
panies have been chartered, but no gen.
eral plan of State organization laid down,
much less perfected. No central authority
has been created, which those desiring to
settle in Virginia can consult and depend
upon for receiving unprejudiced information;
no provision is made for the reception and
care of strangers, drawn hither by desire
to settle in State of which they have
heard such glowing accounts in fact, no.
thing has been done to protect or encourage
immigration, save by European agencies
which care only for commissions, and not
for consequences. hsa
4 The meeting of the National Pomologi-
cal Society is fitting time to call up and
discuss this important subject.
There is no difference of opinion, what
ever the difference of expression, as to the
class of immigrants we need, and the true
place whence to invite them. We need
settlers with means to purchase and m
soroce our lands, and we need men who
can be useful citizens, as we'll as industrious
farmers. Thrifty, industrious men,, living
in Atlantic States, north of the Poto-
mac, can, by judicious effort and proper
management, be induced to come among
us not empty handed, but bringing with
them stock, household effects, and money
which will largely add to our State wealth.
The gentlemen who will be our guests
sitirasg the present week, can not only adj
wise, hat cooperate in the Inauguration of a
perfect system of State immigration; and
we trust that deliberations on this subject
will form a very prominent feature in the
proceedings of the National Pathological
Society at their sessions.