National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-10-18

Professor J. c. Foertsch, of Virginia, one
OF the commissioners from that State to the
Vienna Exposition, during his absence made
arrangements for the immigration Of col
ony II ten or more families from his native
place in Germany to Prince William county,
In that State. The colony Is expected to ar
rive In this country carly in the spring Of
1874, when they will find due preparations
made by the Professor for their accommoda.
ton. It Ia expected that this colony will
form the nucleus of q considerable settle
ment.
This Is an effort in the right direction, and
should be followed by similar ones to induce
the old friends and relatives, especially the
younger members Of Americanizcd- German
families, to "comc out" to Virginia. A large
and valuable immigration, embracing enter.
prising and energetic labor, accompanied by
considerable capital, would be the result
First impressions go very far toward perma'
nent satisfaction to tho foreign cmigrant. II
Ia, therefore, all-lmportant that descriptions
OF the country should be fair, honest and un'
exaggerated, that disappointment may nc,
quickly follow arrival, and disgust rather
than contentmcnt, be the fret crop realized
by the new corners.
II bountiful provision be carefully made
for the comfort and happiness OF the emil
grants, by their fellow-countrymen here, al
whose solicitation they have made the ven
tllre of settlement In a new country, and they
arc greeted upon their arrival with these
substantial evidences Of q real desire for
their permanent and profitable location, In
the midst Of old friends, they will naturally
settle down into the routine Of American life
with a determination to he happy, which IL
great point gained.
Citizens Of tho different nationalltics, being
fully aware OF the habits, customs and sur
roundiugs Of their friends at home, arc capa.
bile Of selecting the most attractive locations
for them here, and then initiating the kind
of improvements best calculated TO attract
their favorable attention on arrival, and pro-
mote their comfort and happiness in the fu-
turc.
Emigration schemes connected with stu
pcndous land operations may DO all very well
for visionary spectators, and may be made
attractive on paper, but practically they
usually fail on account Of the reality falling
s, far short Of the promises put forth In the
circulars. This disappointment is sure to re-
act Immediately upon tho emigration COM
psny, for the first letters written back To the
fathcrland by an cmigrant dlscloscs the heart
and home sickness that Its respondent writer
feels, aud proves an effective warning TO
oilers who may have been inclined to follow
TO remain Of home.
The plan adopted by Prof. Focrtsch TO
bring out first only the young people Just
starting In life, full OF tho elasticity Of hope,
and Inspired by the ambition and energy Of
youth, and these only In small colonies, is
doubtless the true road TO success In gaining
the additional population and labor now 10
quired In Virginia. II each German citizen
Of the State could accomplish the favorable
introduction Of such colony annually dur
lug the next ton years the result would be an
aggregation far beyond the efforts Of all the
migration societies combined.
Al the end Of the decade these little colo
niles sf youthful adventures would be found
10 constitute thriving and active eommunl-
ties, having acquired all the characteristics
aud comforts OF home-llfe, modified, and
doubtless improved by the infusion OF Amerl-
can manners and customs. Prosperity once
assured, tho elder branches of the families OF
the frst .eomers would naturally JON them In
this land Of plenty, where oantentment and
happiness are the sure reward Of industry,
sobrloty and economy.