Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-03-05
IMMIGRATION TO TENNESSEE.
LETTER II.
HY REV. ROBERT y. THOMAS.
TO lion. Dduid Richdfds:

DEAR FRIEND i was glad 20 De in
formed that you and the numerous read
ers of the CHRONICLE appreciated the
general facts contained in my first Letter
TO Wn on immigration. l humbly believe
that it contains several hints worthy of the
serious consideration of our General Gov
eminent at Washington, and of all our
State Governments, because all secular
governments are under the supreme gov
eminent Of God, who overrules all for the
benefit of mankind; the extension of the
kingdom of Christ, which is founded on
The eternal truths of the New Testament,
and is full of mercy, righteousness, peace
and holiness and its great motto is, "Glo-
~ to God in the highest, and ON earth
peace, good will toward men." These
words are to be seen clearly on the banner
of the Christian religion. All the rulers
and judges of the world ought to read and
study them and perform the duties of their
high offices in the light of them, believ-
ing that they are responsible to the Great
Judge for all their actions and all their
laws ought to be made agreeable to the
grand principle of the moral law of God
and the gospel of Christ-LOvE TO COP,
and Lore to Man.
The General Government at Washing
ton, for the past forty years. and especially
in the time of the late and immortal Lin
coin, and our present worthy President,
Grant, made and passed several precious
and liberal enactments to encourage i'm
migration from other countries 10 the
United States of America-the Pre-emp-
ton and the Homestead Laws will re-
dound to their honor forever; they have
rejoiced the hearts of the oppressed in Eu-
rope and elsewhere, and have, and will
yet, encourage the millions to immigrate
to this country, where they and their
families can avail themselves of the many
advantages that are offered and secured to
them by this great Republican Govern
ment Nevertheless, l believe that the
General Government in Washington,
through the ambition and the mysterious
political schemes of the fen that wished
to enrich themselves, have been too L6cr-
al, or rather too eXtravagant in selling the
public lands to individuals for specula-
tions, and in granting too much of them
to railroad companies. This was great
mistake in many instances, for individuals
ought not to be allowed to select and pur-
chase the best portions of the public lands
for small sum of money, and leave it for
many years uncultivated and afterwards
sell ii at an enormous sum to actual set
tiers. This has been done in thousands Of
cases. Such land spectators swarm the
Western States, and are allowed TO de-
ceive, rob and discourage innocent and in
dustrious emigrants from foreign coun-
tries, who are the very suitable people
which we need to cultivate our lands ant
develop our resources for the gen
eral good of the people, and 70
the benefit Of the States and tn
General Government. And l beiieV
that in most cases that all Railroad Com
panies, ought to construct their own Rail
roads and carry on their own business
tcith their OlCn Lutufui capital, like all 9th
or enterprising companies that encOurag
labor and benefit themselves by their goo
management, economy, and perseverance
The American people have suffered tn
injustice too long and / rejoice that III
General Government, at last, has passe
a law to stop it; and to use great part
the money that will accrue from the sa
of the public lands, henceforth, to esta
fish and support public schools IN u
various States of the Union; and for 9th
laudable purposes. The public lands ougl
and will be hereafter, reserved for actu
settlers This is Just and wise, and W
greatly benefit and strengthen the Cover
ment. One thing more is needful-tn
the General Government should appol
Assistant Commissioners, for the leadl
nations thiA emigrate hither, namely, l
most qualified of themselves and apr
pirate a sufficient sum of money to p
for the translation and the circulation
the best informations about the pun
lands, in their native countries, ana 10 ;
the Door. but honest and industrious,
emigrate and settle on the pubic Ian
1t would be wise also for the Governm,
10 sslect different counties, and townshl
for different nations, and allow them u
20 pay for it, not for the purpose OF C
linuing their natiOnalities, but to
them opportunities and advantages to
tie together, with their churches aud
tors in large colonies. This has ne
been done. But it would greatly faclll'
and encourage immigration mill
- more Of the best class of emi9rants, II
foreign countries. would he glad 10 mas
TO, and settle in, the United States. II
General Government will not DO this,
will delay it for years ] would al
every State government TO do ltl"IthW
for the general good OF their own state
It is fact also that almost every ,
government of the Western states, ]
appointed their Commissioners OF I'm
grafton; and have appropriated suiilc
sums of money TO pay the expenses Oh
Letting, TRANSMITTING, and distributing
and specific information about the PIT
lands and resources OF their val
States-aud that they have received
benefits from tit enlightened the pc.
and they have emigrated to Illinois,
eonsin, and Iowa, in thousands yearly
that almost all their best lands are
settled, and highly cultivated. w
ward they go.n Why? Because