The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-08-08

IL would not be possible even for pre-
Jndice to refuse to recognize the patriotism
and practically of the work which General
Fitz Hugh Lee and several other Vlrginian
gentlemen have organized to for W ard in their
State, which others of our Southern citi-
Eens, especially the members of the Order of
the Patrons of Rusbandry, have been pro-
noting in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Lou
tstana,. This is the work of immigration,
especially of immigration of the higher and
more valuable class-small farmers with ex-
perience and capital. At the same time
there is no intention to discourage the agri-
cultural laborer, who, indeed, is certain to
find at the South sn ample demand for his
labor and sure reward for his industry.
But what the South particularly needs now
ls the immigrant who can stand on his own
feet, and by 80 doing make firmer the foot
ing Of his neighbors. There is no earthly rea-
son why the Southern States should not,
the facts in the case being properly pub
lished, outvie the West and North in at
tracing emigrants from abroad, and draw
to their borders every year thousands of
Eastern farmers who now go to Colorado,
Kansas or California They possess a fer
tile soil and charming climate; laudsis
abundant and cheap the productions are
all staples and the markets therefor are most
accessible. The settler finds himself ex-
posed to none of the perilsof frontier life !;
to none of the destructive phenomena OF
Z
to none of the diecomforts and inconven-
fences that they must experience who VEN
t1re beyond the bounds of civilization.
With all these uuquestioned facts it NAV
seem incredible that the South has been go
slow to attract the tide of immigration
which has rolled over the country to settle
in Dakota and Manitoba. Nevertheless,
there are reasons sound and sufficient to &C
count for this. 1t has been only too com
mon to represent the Southern climate as
fatal to health, tue Southern people as dis
orderly, passionate and preiudiced the
whole sy stem, social and political, one un-
desirable for the stranger. Absurd as
these charges have been, they have been
but too sadly potent for i'll, and the Islander
OF the carpet Dagger has wounded what
his rapacity spared. 1t is we'll, therefore,
that men who know whereof they speak,
whose position and record afford ample
guarantees for their integrity, whose inter.
est in the work they have undertaken is
that of the patriot and philanthropiet, not
of the shark and Spectator, should be
found conducting such enterprises as
these, Fastening the return of population
order and wealth to the South, Every
white colonist whom the South can now at
tract will not only be an essential factor
in hasteningthe return of prosperity, both
local and national, but will exercise q pow
erfll influence for good on the political
and social destinies of the country,
Happy are they whose rot it is in these
days-that, too, without suffering or loss
to contribute to the rebuilding of a
nations prosperity, the overthrow of an
archy and corruption, the restoration of or
der and good government, and the return
of fraternal feeling IN. Y. World.