Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-07-16
Peasant Emigration.

The attempt to improve Tic condl-
ton of the English peasants at home
has so far failed, that the second al
Tentative forseen by Joseph Arch has
already been adopted. The obstina
cy of the farmers in refusing to allevi-
ate the condition of their serfs, to give
them better dwellings, more adequate
wages, more reasonable recreation,
better opportunities to rise, has result
ed in vigorous scheme of emigra-
ton; and it seems likely that the
farmers will thus have deprived Eng
land of labor force, which, despite
her overcrowded condition, the land
ed interest can probably i'll spare.
The Leaning on Agricultural Union
has taken the matter in hand with an
energy that is doubtless destined to
be an example to the peasantry every
where. Free passages are forthwith
to be provided to the locked-out la
borers to Canada, and one thousand
pounds sterling have been voted as an
instalment for this purpose. Joseph
Arch is himself to accompany this
emigrating colony of farm laborers to
the American shores and his inspec-
ton Of the ground last autumn enabl-
ed him to judge whittier he could best
conduct them. Thus TIE labor mar
ket of Notwithstanding great farm
ing county Of midland England-is to
be at once depleted by a serious exo-
dus; and the success Of the expert
ment once proved, the outcoming col,
ony once prosperously settled, there
can be little reason to doubt that the
Infection Of emigration will speedily
spread wherever the binds are feeling
the weight of traditional penury and
oppression. TIE first aim of Arch's
crusade was to combine; and comb
nation has everywhere been effected.
His second aim was to resist; and the
great strikes and lock .outs of Cam
bridge, Lincoln, Essex and Warwick
prove how well that part of his work
was done. His third aim, his last rc-
sort, was emigration and emigration
has at last been undertaken by the
resolution of the bennington Union.
This event has an importance to the
United States, as well as to Canada,
which can scarcely be Overrated.
The great difficulty was to make be-
ginning. The English hind is prone
to cleave to his native soil. The OBJ
stacle in the way of Arch's scheme
was to overcome this inertia. Peas
ant emigration on large scale once
entered upon, the tide of strong arms
and willing workers will SET in west
ward to the benefit both of those who
come and those who stay behind.
Nor will this tide rest on the shores
Of Canada. These peasants will ere
long learn of our mighty West Arch
himself will come hither again, ant
will recognize the magnificent posi-
bilities Of our undeveloped expanse
This expanse will be supplied by the
best stock of tillers of the soil in the
world. Meanwhile the drainage of emf
t grafton will so thin out peasant labo
in England that the simplest law o
supply and demand will enable thu
, peasants who remain to command
prices commensurate with the valu
! of their work, to compel the conces
+ sion of decent and healthy cottages
and to secure their participation i
the National wealth and prosp Gritty
Thus the movement begun in the ga
}, watering place OF Lexington, becom
7 ng widespread and general, must be
Y neft both countries, and will only il
l. jure-if any one-the arrogant elias
:. of the possessors of English land. Il
: result must be awaited with anxiet,
S though also with lively anticipation
+ for it is just at this point that tn
/ deep interest of the United States, {
!, well as of Canada, in the formidab
e peasant revolution of which Arch h,
been the chief, becomes apparent.