Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-11-15
A GREAT WANT OF THE STATE.
Some Practical Thoughts on the Sub
jeet of Immigration.

Some Practical Thoughts on the Sub
Jeet of Immigration.
To the Editors Of the Union and American:
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Nov. IL, 1s7I.-We
utter no strange language when we declare
that 4 vast deal is expected at the hands of
the members Of the present Legislature.
They are regarded as representative men,
and men, too, of large and comprehensive
views. That they are entirely disposed to
work, and to work manfully, for the best
and truest interest Of the State, no one can
question. We must be slow to condemn a
body of men, assembled to legislate for the
general welfare, if they do not come up to
the full measure Of our expectations and
demands. There is one thing, however,
we think they ought to do-endeavOr to
ascertain the wants of the public and to
meet those wants, if possible, to the fullest
extent.
By doing this they would rarely, if ever,
make blunder, and always exert a salu-
tary influence upon the whole country.
They cannot, therefore, object to our bring
ing to their attention, and presenting for
their intelligent action, the question Of i'm
migration. This we do in obedience to
what seems to US to be an urgent and press
ing public demand. Four fifths of the
people of Tennessee are in fIvor of the
adoption by the present Legislature, of
some well elaborated system of immigra-
ton. In East Tennessee we know this to
be the case. Our people, everywhere, are
crying out Justify for prompt action on this
matter. They wonder why there should
be any hesitation or delay.
One Of the greatest wants of the State,
in the present jUncture, is, an increase Of
our population. We have too much sur
plus land all over the State. 1t is doing us
no good. Indeed it is a burden to its own
ers. The taxes upon it are eating it up. It
should be occupied and cultivated to its
fullest capacity. When we remember that
there are millions of acres which have never
been touched by the hand of industry, We
may very readily perceive the heavy loss
that is annually accruing to the State in the
lack of agricultural products. This is
fearful incubus upon our prosperity. So
much productive power should not be sUIf-
fered to lie dormant. 1t is mine of wealth
too precious and too inexhaustible not to be
explored and developed.
But how shall it be done, is the one per-
picking qustiOn. We are well assured it
can't be done by indcti0H. The gods will
never help those who will not try to help
themselves. Already Tennessee has lost
immensely by her supineness upon this
question. She has signally failed to snatch
the golden fruit which has been hanging
within her reach. Other States, more
fertile in energy and in their thoroughly es-
tablished systems, have OUtstripped US in
this glorious race, and are, to-day, reaping
the rich harvest of their efforts in the work
Of immigration. Missouri, Iowa, and Kan
sas are filling up with an active, thrifty and
prOvident people, who are taking bold of
agriculture with firmness and vigOr, and are
adding vastly to their wealth and growing
prosperity. This Tennessee has not done.
Win she not do it, is the vital question?
Will she stand still, and thus lose her
opportunity to place herself alongside the
other great States of the Union?
Our Legislature cannot be ignorant of the
fact that we have not the native population
to occupy and cultivate the lands in ques-
ton. They must, therefore, be cultivated
by population from some other portion of
the world. We must reach the Northern
and Eastern States, as well as the more
pOpulous regions of the Old WorlCh-
But to do this requires something more
ergy harnessed up in money, will do the
work, and do it successfully. Nor will it
murder the taxpayers of Tennessee to fur
nish the money. 1t viii make them olice.
1t will stir up the dry bones, and cover them
with sinew, muscle and skin. A more in
yigorating tone viii be infused into the
body polite, and fresher and bOlder i'm
petus will be given to enterprise. 1t is the
way to lessen their taxes, and to tighten
their loads.
But for what purpose is the money needed?
We answer, to furnish facts in pamphlet
form, to be- scattered over Europe and in
the Northern States. This requires a con-
siderable outlay. We are compelled to let
the world know what kind of country we
have, and what are cur resources and ad-
vantages; otherwise we have no hope Of
building up the State. The Legislature
could not, in our Judgment, make a more
judiciOus expenditure. Fifty thousand dol
lars, while it is really small sum, would
put the machinery in motion and lead to
more efficient results.
ALONzO DANTE.