Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-12-12
THE LABOR QUESTION.
How to Secure a Supply OF Producers
A TheOry-HOW it Works.

EDITORS APPEAL-I propose to sug-
gest a plan of operations, which, if ac-
cepted and acted on promptly by sufi-
Gent number of those whose interests
are involved, will prove a pdndced for
our present and prospective woes. We
need, a revival of our material prosper
ity, in agricultural, in manufactures, in
finances and commerce. 1t is a great
truth, that the labor of the country is its
greatest wealth. Now this being las
admitted on all hands, the great want
Of the South, l will suggest a plan
which | am confident, is, or may be,
perfectly practicable, If acted on by on
ly a small proportion of those able to act.
/ propose to be u of one hundred
persons who will give, subscribe or con-
tribute, each one hundred dollars, to es-
tablish a fund, or the nucleus of a fund,
to be used to promote immigration from
Europe to our country directly, and not
circuitously around through a country
where every emigrant's mind would be
~hopelessly poisoned against US, before
attaining their destination. The design
would be to organize under a charter, to
be Obtained for the purpose, and estab-
lish a central agency here in some prom
ineDt city-say Memphis-and branch
agencies in various countries of Europe,
at least one in France, one in England,
and IN Of more in Germany. Thither
let US send reliable and competent
agents, who could and would represent
correctly and truthfully the great in
ducements there are in this country
for immigration Of agriculturalists,
Of manufacturers in all depart
ments, and laborers Of all grades
and descriptions. Let this proposed
charter, or corporation, be so framed
that it may be enlarged to one thousand
cOrporators, and not less than one hun
bred thousand dollars; but it can be test
ed as to the utility Of the scheme with a
start Of ten thousand dollars, and the CO.
operation Of one hundred efficient
names. But by the cooperation of one
thousand persons, whose influences
might be brought to bear favorably upon
the enterprise, as well as the small
means apportioned TO each, a revolution
might be consummated in our material
prosperity, the like of which has never
been seen in anycOuntTy. This may seem
rather high sounding to some ears.
and to some indolent minds, but
still results are thus attainable that
would far outstrip the most seeming ex-
travagsnt ideas that could well be en-
tertained in the mind. No country I'M
der heaven ever did, or ever could, offer
such tremendous inducements as these
States Of the South now do, to enter
prise, industry and efficient labor. These
remarks are Of course only intended as
crude outlines of a plan Of operations TO
be taken up and acted on, enlarged or
modified, should a sufficient number
Of persons eyince a disposition to act in
concert for the attainment Of ends so
desirable. For one, / am sure hat some
such plan could and would certainly
succeed, If taken hold Of by the right
minds, and with the right intentions.
OF course, if it were run into a mere
scheme Of individual speculation, OF az
grandizement, it would fail, and ought
to fail. Any plan, 10 insure success,
would have 70 be founded upon enlarged,
liberal, humane, patriotic, and philan-
thropic views, and should be conducted
with much skill and ability.
Should these suggestions, though so
hastily made, he favorably received, let
responses come through the newspapers
OF The country, and let there be a great
concert Of action Of the Southern press
and people; for su enlightened men
must see and feel that there is the ut