The Van Buren press., 1877-11-06
LET US BE MODERATE.

Within our ewn limited experience
We have always found that exaggeration
OF the merits OF places or individuals, is
sure, in the end, to prove detrimental to
their success. The truth, even in the
most minute particulars, is always the
safest and surest basis on which TO build
the character OF localities or inhubit-
ants.
Now, our opinion is, that too many
OF our people are wont to desire too
glowing description Of our part of the
State, aud many Of them are astonishcd
that we do not hold up to the eyes Of
those at distancetrom US, glitterigg
pictures Of this section Of the country.
Well, suppose we do so, and through the
influence Of such unsubstantials, we in
dueo people to come here, and they find
that our representations have been to a
large cXtent purely imaginative, what
good have We done 2 Does not a su-.
preme disgust for tho shallow artifce|
praeticcd, a. well us the perpetrator, oc-I
eupy the minds Of those upon whom thcI
imposition has been practiced2 Do not
such deceived parties go away, poisoned
toward the redeoming and truthful fca-
lures OF our representations Has. then,
any benefit accrued to our locality, by
the inducements we have brandishcd
aloft for the decoying Of immigrants
On the other hand, when these parties
leave our section, sore, because they
have been wrouged, do they not carry
away with them bitterness SO baIetul in
its withering effects, that years OF Ia
Dor and unabatiug eXertion, on the part
Of immigration societies. may not sue
ceed in cireumventing its detrimental in
tiuence
While we consider that it is the duty
of our State aud County immigration
Societies to do all they can to induce an
influx Of people to our State, yet it is
equally obligatory upon them to careful
y abstain from the eXaggeration of the
resources or industries of the State. 1t
is not our intention to say aught save the
truth, with reference to this portion OF
| the State, and then no blame can be laid
at our door, in the shape OF misrepre-
sentatlon.
If occasionally tho products of our
splendid soil-our wheat and corn, our
splendid apples, pears, peaches, and
grapcs-could be sent to the old States
their mute eloquenco would speak in
terms more greatly beneficial to the i'm
migration interests of our State, than
tones of newspaper articles.
That we need immigration. no one de
nies, and we must do all that we can to
induce it, All kinds Of mechanics are
beneficial to a community; but before
we urge them to come here, ought we
not t. be perfectly satisfied that they
Pr ...vhiri"nt ]ith9G. ,iV f4yadr, ''s~rufe
lands, and need farmers; but are the
owners Of this land willing to dispose OF
it at a price which will make it advanta.
geous to them to come These are nee
essary questions. They must have the
right kind of answers. If cur people
are in earnest in their desire for immi
grafton, they would, we should think
be willing to make sacrifices to aid in its
accomplishment.
Whatever we do, let us always beware
of misrepresentation and eXaggeration
and trust to the equity of our statement,
to bring to us the happy eycntuation o
that condition Of worldly affairs which
we so much need and desire.