Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-09-07
Immigration by Colonization

energy that have built up the
Northwest. Great States and popu-
lOus cities have sprung up there, as
If by magic, The tide that flows
form Europe brings to us chiefly
the young, the ambitious and thus
the States that are so fortunate as
to feel its quickening impulse ex'
pand with development that Is as
sure as If is surprising. Various
causes have served to hold this tide
within its present channel. The
unsettled condition OF the South,
and the lawlessness in certain por-
tions Of if, have perhaps, had some
thing to do with repelling immigra-
ton in that direction: but we should
not overlook the systematic efforts
of the railroads to direct the current
maintained that direction, and it still
holds to its course, even when it is
apparent that its best field may lie
elsewhere. When immigrants
arrive and settle to their satisfac-
ton, the first thing they do is to
write home to their friends, and
urge them to come over also. The
latter set out with definite point
in view, toward which they travel
and from which they cannot be
turned aside For the thing that
the immigrant most yearns for is
compsnionship in the strange land
of his adoption. The tendency to
settle into colonies is one of the
notable, very natural, phenomena
of immigration. In some parts OF
this country there are Scandinavian,
or German, or Scotch, or Dntch
colonies. In others there are ex-
tensive Welsh settlements, as the
great Welsh musical festivals in
Pennsylvania attest.
Why not utilize this very natural
tendency so as to attract immigra-
ton to Maryland and the more
Southern States? Cannot the tide
Of very desirable immigration be
tanned thitherward? For example:
there are large tracts in Western
Maryland that resemble in soil and
climate the grazing lands of Switzer
land, where the pasturage of sheep
and goats and the industries of the
Swiss could be advantageously
carried on. There are lands which
our native population will never
utilize until forced to do so, ages
hence, by the pressure Of popula-
ton. which could be utilized now
by immigrants accustomed to deal
with Just such conditions OF soil
and climate. There are in Mary
land and Virginia sunny mountain
slopes in which the vine could be
cultivated as advantageously as
long as the hills of the Rhine or
Moselle-where land is cheap, and
The market accessible. There arr
portions OF Eastern Maryland and
Virginia were the overcrowded
populations OF the Netherlands
might be advantageously placed
people who understand how 10 deal
with dykes and tides, and who
could utilize the lands that We look
upon as wastes and swamps.
By seeking out the kind of SET
Tiers who are by habit and cultar(
suited to the various conditions OIL
our soil and climate, and by making
systematic efforts TO establish then
here in colonies, the resources o
our State, as well as those Of ouI
Southern sister States, might b'
greatly developed. Once let {
colony Of Plattdeutsche, or of S@is
or French vine dressers fine desir
able homes amorg US, and theI
correspondence with their friend
across the broad water would d
the rest. This is movement tina
could hest be inaugurated by syste
matte ID of the Baltimore and OH
Raih,a.. "A colonization assOcla
ton, working in connection wit
this goat highway, having it
ramif ons throughout the Sout
and ans-Atlantic connections
migh d a~ hither a very imp0l
tant cement of immigration. Pres
dent J hn w. Garrett, in view
the fact that the development OF ii
State N.li increase the prosperity
the G o. railroad which be contro
migI &c counted on for energet
aid in his work; and it is undel
stood that he has devoted a grc'