The Indiana State sentinel., 1874-05-05

There is disposition on both sides of the
water to call a halt in the march of immigra-
ton from the Old World to America Not
that the rule Of welcome to foreigners should
be altered in the least. But for prudential
reasons, affecting all parties, a temporary
suspension of the influx of laborers is desir-
able. One Mr.. Edwin A. Curley, of Eng
land, has contributed an article to the Lon
don Fortnightly Review, in which he
strongly encourages the laborers of that
country to rush over 10 the Western world.
He estimates that there is demand for $780,
O00-why not a round million? ?-of farm
workers in the United States at this time.
To show how imperfectly he is informed as
to the facts, it is sufficient to say that he as
signs 1000 of the number to New England.
If they were to take the advice and go there,
at least 1900 might count on starving to
death, for all any hope of getting paid EN-
ployment on farms. Mr.. Curley would send
4Oo, 900 of his adventures to the four middle
states and 10000 into Canada. Probably he
has not heard of the West, or supposes 1t to
be still bowling wilderness. At any rate
he sets his emigrants down on
pretty hard Shedding. But the writer
tells his readers enthusiastically that
they can find emplovmentfor wages whose
purchasing power would average nearly
double that of the wages to be obtained at
home. 1t is feared by the New York
Balletin that such representations added to
t1e exertions of Mr.. Aeach, will cause much
i'll advised removal at a time when labor in
this country is going through an intense trial,
under burdens already greater than it is
willing or able tn bear. 1t appeals to the press
of Europe to disabuse the people of the rose
colored visions thus cast in Yspor before
them. For a time, at least, thelsbor market
of this country is glutted. Industries are re-
trenching and taking in sail. In Pennsy,.
vania $50 blast furnaces are silent to-day,
railroad building is checked, which has set
free tens of thousands of laborers, and city
improvements are likely to be largely cur
tailed until change occurs in the business
prospects ofthe country. Agriculture is al
ways waiting it is true, and virgin soil
stretches out under the throbbing sunlight
miles on miles, but poor laborers without
means cannot go up and possess the good
land. Besides, theproduction of the country
aided by effective machinery, bids fair to
exceed the capacity of both the
home and foreign markets. The
adjustments of society are exceedingly
disturbed, and the problem of harmonizing
capital and labor is at its most delicate stage
of investigation. The foreign unskilled La.
boror coming to these shores now, a stranger,
encounters exceedingly dubious chances.
The question is not. can he obtain better
compensation here than at home, but can he
find employment at all? 1t is stated that
thousands ofimmigrants are now idle in the
seaboard cities, lamenting the loss of hum
BILE homes and work which they left. This is
not to be permanent condition. 1t is cer-
tainly but temporary. for the resources of
nature are free and boundless, the citizen is
also free and safe to conquer nature by en-
! ergy and labor. But in the momentary par