The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1874-11-18
OUR GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.
TENNESSEE9S FUTURE. IN HER
OWN HANDS.
An ADMIRABLE LETTER FROM
COL j. B. KLLLEBRE "

an AOHLHABLE LETTER FRO1M
COL j. B. KLLLEBREW
The following open letter has been
addressed by Col. ]. B. Killebrew,
Secretary of the State Board OF
Agriculture, to Col. C. w. Charlton,
editor of the Grange Outlook, and
head and front of the Order Of Pa
irons of Husbandry in East Tennes-
see:
NASHVILLE, Nov. u, 1874.-Col.
G. w. Charlton Tread to-day with
great pleasure your open letter adj
dressed to DR.. Maxwell on the sub
ject of immigration. 1t meets with
my most hearty approval. There
never was time within the history
of the State-certainly not within
the past quarter of a century-so
opportune for procuring immigrants
as the present; and to this conclu-
sion am led from the very exten-
siye correspondence l have had with
the people of the North and Europe.
The reasons for my convictions are
/. The low price of land in our
State-cheaper than it has been for
twenty-five years.
2. The great anxiety of a large
class of farmers to sell off portion
of their lands, which they cannot.
under the present labor system, cul
tivate with profit, and which rests as
q burden upon them.
3. The failure Of the West to meet
the wants and expectations ola large
class of emigrants that have been
deluded by glaring misrepresenta-
tiOns, and are greatly dissatisfied.
There is, therefore, a refux in the
tide, and Tennessee is attracting
special attention from this class.
4. The warm welcome which our
people have, within the past year,
been extending to all seekers after
homes.
5. AS a result of the recent cleo
tions, the increased confidence which
the people of the North will have in
the future prosperity of the South,
and their greater willingness to in
vest money in the State.
6. The distinct enunciation Of our
people, as shown by the election,
that the plighted faith of the State
shall be preserved at all hazards.
Z. The depression in the price of
iron in all the markets of the world |
is bringing about investigations as to
where iron can be made cheapest. |
1t is now a conceded fact that it can
be made as oheaply in the State of
Tennessee, as at any other place
within the bounds OF civilization, and
with facilities for transportation.
English iron-masters are now turn
ug their attention to this State, and
With proper efforts on the part of the
leXt Legislature, and the hearty
of our people, thirty
Millions of dollars will be engaged
n the manufacture of iron in Ten
lessee within five years. Coal and
ron ore are here found in juxtaposi-
ion, both easy of access, and moth
NC but the blight of a dishonored
ame can prevent capitalists from
eeking investment.
These are a few of the many rea-
ons why | think the time is highly
for the invitation of CAPT
al and labor. Our people need
hem. We are land poor Rich in
IL The clements of wealth, we lack
he means to transmute these ele-
1ents into wealth. Said a very in
Englishman. a few days
ince, after visiting one of the iron
egions Of the State: g Sir, you
ave a country rich in everything
kept capital and labor. Bring
lese, and the sun will shine upon no
md more prosperous or more plen-
Iful.' Let US reach out, then, and
rasp these keys, which will alone
MOCK for us all the hidden treasu-
les of our mountain chains, and our
3rtile valleys. Let Tenncsseeans
rove worthy of their heritage. and
OF slumber forever in obscurity and
overly, when the 9lories Of the
olden age are within their reach. (
development Of our resources means f
wv taxes, and improved agriculture, {
n extension OF our commerce, a {
of our industries, a
Jilization of our wasted forces, and f
growth Of our cities and towns. 1t ]
cans more--it assures an increased
and all the blessings of /
rational existence, and of higher
nd more benign civilization. Be-
eve me, there is but one way to re- !
nee taxes, and that is to increase {
lie wealth of the State by immigra- :
on, by labor and by the introduce
on of capital. Any other plan !
IAN this, consistent with honor, is 7
Ie delirious dream of a visionary !
Id shows a signal lack of states +
anship. :
There is a growing dem and for :
,pies of the work on the Resources
Tennessee. Very truly, =