American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-02-05

the speech was the most mastery in
moderation, exhaustive in argument
and captivating in method. thus FAR
delivered. 1t told Cd every soul.
immigration Convention.
Rooms CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
New ORLEANS, Jan Z, 1S76. {
To His Honor, the Mayor, Canton, Miss:
The undersigned, a special com
mittee of the Chamber of Commerce
of New Orleans, by virtue of ia unan-
imOus resolution of the Chamber,
adopted January 81, 1876, invite
your cordial co-Opera' ion in organ
izing an immigration convention, to
be composed o, delegates from the
sixteen States hereinafter named;
and 10 that end would request that
promptly on receipt of this commit
uicatiou. you appoint and commits
sion, in accordance with the sub
joined basis of representation, dele
gates from your State or City to
assemble in New Orleans, on We'd
nesday, March LIST, 1876. The most
urgent need of Louisiana and all
the Southern and South western
States, at this time, is an increase
of population. Hundreds and thou
sands of acres of cleared lands, as
fertile as any in tie Union, lay idle
in these States for want OF popula-
ton. The market prices of these
lands are so low that one years
good tillage in either of our staples
sugar or cotton-will yield a sum
per acre equal to present cost. No
staples grown in this or any other
country make such liberal returns
to The farmer. Why then is it that
this abnormal condition of things
continues to exist : 1t is mainly
due to want of concerted action
among the States interested. Immi-
grants landing at New Orleans and
other Southern ports, find no pre-
parations made to receive them ::
Ignorant and homeless, they too
often fall prey. to inscriptions
Adventures. Contrasting this neg
IiSence with the ample provisions
made at New York and in other
Northern cities, they naturally avoid
our ports. The want of these neces-
sary preparations is vastly more re-
pelant than the fear of disease.
For at least eight months in the
year we are as healty as any port
in the United iStates-our climate
unsurpassed. In regard to the ad
vantages of the Mississippi River
route over other routes for immi
,.r,nt, r, tho Na,t.r,, anil Nnctl,
western s ates, actual experiment
shows that a large saving in money
and larger in comfort, Can be secur-
ed III using Mississippi steamers
from New Orleans to the Western
cities. The owners of sea-going
ships and river steamers haze al
ready evinced willingness to join
hands with us on most liberal terms.
Nothing but active, persevering
effort and cooperation is needed to
achieve success.
In the hope of giving early prac-
tical shape to this movement. lately
urged by Gov. Garland, of Arkan-
sas, we have concluded to call a
convention. Arrangements are
completed for securing half-tare
tickets from all the principal rail
roads leading to New Orleans, full
particulars of which can be obtained
by addressing our Secretary, Saml.
Mullen, so Camp street, New
Orleans. The subjects to be consid
cred are. i'll the opinion of our cham
Der, of such importance as TO attract
the attention and enlist the active
efforts of all the States named. 1t
is particularly desired that each
Governor, being a special delegate.
shall lend US the encouragement of
his personal appearaca.
We hereto append the action of
this committee, for further details in
the premises.
JOHN III. KENNARD.
G. T. Beauregarl Samuel Mullen, A. b.
Griswolf, VIM. NJ. BurweIl, Vim. C..
Black, E. Rickert, John +. Wyche, f. L.
Ranlet, Cyrus B1ssey, Special Commit
tee of New Orleans Chamber of Com
merce.
Az meeting of the special COM
mittec of the Chamber of Commerce
to consider the suggestions of Gov.
IL
reference to calling an Immigration
Convention, to assemble at New
Orleans during the progress Of the
Southern States Agricultural and
Industrial Exposition, Gov. Gar
lands letter and accompany ing pc
tition from the people of Arkansas,
having been duly considered, it
was
Resolved, That a convention he
called to assemble il New Orleans
on Wednesday,, March LIST, 1876, at
noon. and that the place of meeting
and other details be referred to a
committee of three.
Resolved, That the call embrace
Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Georgia,
Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee,
Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa,
Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio,
Kansas. Approved.
That tho ~ , a. I, al