Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-06-18
IMMIGRATION.
A Sensible Speech from a Thoroughly
Practical Man.

At q meeting in the city not many
days ago our reporter made noIes OF
short speech delivered by Mr.. Barnes,
Superintendent Of the Memphis and
Charleston railroad. This speech,
which is very imperfectly reproduced,
controlled the action OF the cOnVen-
tion. We give the leading ideas pre-
sented. which are not shOrn OF their
practical worth, even in the form they
have assumed. Mr.. Barnes said:
There are three requisites in immigra-
tiOn:
1. The people TO emigrate.
.. Cheap transportation.
3. Suitable location.
These requisites must work together
or the whole is q failure.
Let US look at these three requisites
in reference to immigration South.
From reliable information we be-
lieve there viii be large emigration
from Europe this season. The desOis-
ton and destruction of property Oc-
casioned by the war between France
and Germany, will influence many to
seek new homes in this country, and
the people from Alsace and Lorraine,
and South Germany will come to this
latitude. There is now q better Op-
pOTtuEity TO secure settlers IN the
South than ever before. There is no
difficulty then about the nrst requisite.
.. In order % induce immigration,
we must have cheap transportation,
and that Is already provided. Emf
grant fare is less from Eastern cities TO
the South than 10 any other part OF
the United States. By an arrange
yuent between the railroad companies
on the route from Norfolk to Memphis,
tie, emigTant fare is ten dollars, be-
tween these points. The Allan line OF
steamers now make regular trips be-
tween Liverpool and Norfolk, and
fbev will continue these trips if the
business viii pay. 1t is for the busi-
ness men Of this section to say whether
or not we shaft have ''direct trade"
Why should the people OF this State
be taxed millions of dollars to build
STEAMSHIPS. when we have them
already fOr nothing? If the present
line fails it proves that there is not
enough business to support it, and
direct trade is q failure. We want no
State aid in this; if the interest Of the
immigrantaud the interest Of the land
owner will not bring people here then
We ought not to expect them to come.
II il is not for the interest OF the
merchant to ship goods direct, then
the goods will not be shipped. Thus
the second requisite for immigration,
cheap transportation, Is provided.
HOW is il with location? Where
will YOU put the immigrants when they
cOme9 VIII you put them in an old
ssdge field? VIII you put them in
dirfv dilapidated negro cabin, and
feed them on "aOg and hOminy9
Immigration wiz not thrive on such
treatment. The immigrant must be
contenued and prosperous IN this
country or he will not stay here
Agents from the Northwest viii come
among them and entice them away d
they can. We want settlers; men o.
moderate means, industrious habits
able to buy and cultivate few acre.
Of land, and become citizens, whose
interests are identified with the cOun
try they i've in. We want no more
labOrers; that class generally come
here to shirk, not to work. Have We
places for actual settlers? Who vii
sell them land? Who viii treat them
well when they come?
Conventions are good in their place
Talking Is necessary, perhaps, but al
the resolutions ever passed, and al
the talking ever done, viii amount t
nothing unless accom- panied by In
dividusl acticn. II those presen
think immigration is a good thing
they must do something 10 encourage
il. We often hear glowing descrip
tiOus ofWhst this country might be-
of its natural resources, etc, etc, bu
these descriptions are only pleasan
dreams. We have to deal with th
country as it is, and the contrast j
very great between descriptions O
what this country might be and VIVA
If really is. How shall we improve
Not by dreaming, but by working
Great changes are not sudden, and
each one who now Culiivates lam
ypcEId improve it, and each one Wh
t7ore land than he can cUltivat
would s,all it TO actual settlers, an
thus encourage immigration, on
dreams OF wealth and power might b
realized. There is 10 great myster
about immigration; the people az
ready TO come, cheap transportauO
is provided; il only remaiha TO Prl
vide location. The railroads vi
send agents TO Europe TO spread II
formation; they will endeavOr to tur
the tide Of immigration southwark
Whether they are successful or no
depends upon the landowners.