Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-02-19
IMMIGRATION.
DificHltles In the Way---HeW they may
be RemOVed--- Industrial Reform the
Remedy fer Political Evils.
NENPHIs, TKNN., Jan. 20, 1875.

AEAPHIs, TKSN., Jan. 20, 1875.
DEAR SR-I have read with much in
terest the able and Instructive address by
Capt. Withsrs and yourself, on immigra-
tiOn, which you were kind enough to
send me, for which please accept nv
thanks. L hope your clear and forcible
arguments may make an impression on
the people of your county and State.
Whilst | am very anxious for immi-
grants to settle in the South, am not so
hopeful as many others seem to be. 1t is
true, We have a climate and soil superior
TO those of other portions of the United
States. We can here produce anything
which is produced in the northern States,
and, in addition, we can grow cotton, su-
gar, rice and tobacco, We have as health
ful country, as delightful climate,
and as beautiful scenery as can be found
on the continent. Our lands are very
cheap, in proportion to their real value,
and we are anxious TO encourage immi-
grafton, and TO that end will treat with
Kindness and courtesy all who wish to
make their homes in our midst. Why,
then, do we not have more immigrants
1t seems to me the reason is obvious, and
the obstacles are partly caused by our
own people. The people who live in the
North and IN Europe, and who would
make the best settlers in our country, are
accustomed TO grain growing and stock
raising. This is the business they un-
derstsRd, and 1t is that which suits them
best If they were persuaded that the
South Was as suitable for grain growing,
hay producing and stock raising, as the
Northern States, thousands of them would
settle here that are now seeking homes
in the West. When, however, they come
here and find our lands going to waste,
our fences falling down, our farm hOu-
ses in i state Of dilapidation, our fields
presenting q barren and desolate appear
anee, no fiocks Of sheep nor herds of cat
tie feeding upon rich pastures, they be
come discouraged, and seek homes in 9TH
regions.
If we would invite immigration, we
must make eur country attractive aud a
grseable; We must beautify As well as
render productive our farms; We mast
have orchards and vineyards, pastures Of
clover and Bermuda grass ia the sum
mer; and of rye, wheat, barley, and blue
grass in the winter. We must raise our
own horses, mules, cattle and hogs. Let
it be understood throughout the North
that grain can be grown as successfully,
and stock raised more profitably in the
Southern than in the Northern States !:
and we will then be in no want Of immi-
grants. Let them know that We have
pastures during the whole year for our
horses and cattle, and that it requires
much less provender 10 raise them in the
South than in the North; and We will de
more TO invite immigration than can ever
be done by speaking of the high price of
cotton. But a small portion of our land
can ever be planted i'm cotton proftabIy,
for experience has shown, and will con-
tinue TO show, that whenever and wher-
ever large quantity of land is planted in
cotton, there will always be failure
Those who have planted crops on highly
manured land. cultivated them we'll, are
the only ones that have made much mon
ey. Since only small portion OF the
South can be cultivated in corn and cot
ton, il becomes = very important inquiry
what can and ought TO be done with the
remainder of the land. If the now waste
lands of the South were put iEto orch
ards, vineyards, pastures and grain fields
which would require comparatively lit
tie manual labOr-immigr4tiOn would be-
gin 10 flow into the country, manufac-
fures TO Increase, and tide Of wealth and