Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1881-09-03
Immigration.
To the President and members OF
the Louisiana Press Association

Having been appointed by our wor-
,hv and esteemed President 20 write
an address on the important subject
Of immigration, l presume that mast
trv, 70 the best Of may ability, 10 !.s-
charge the duty thus Imposed upon
me: though admit hi, find II very
difficult to determine what TO say, or
rather, what not to say, on this most
important subject. in my opinion, that
could be considered by our people, as
| have already wri,ten 50 much about
il.
believe that it is generally conceded
that the progress Of our State depends
as much upon an influx of immisra-
ton as upon any enterprise that can
be placed on foot: in fact, that the
success of all other enterprises Is de- /.
rendent upon it, because we must have
the population TO build up and sustain
them. \ country without population
has no need OF and cannot support
railroads. steamboats,, manufactures,
schools and churches, and cannot
prosper. Therefore, l presume it was
not the purpose Of the President that
| should enter into an argument to
convince the people Of this sel:evident
and universally acknowledged fact,
but rather to suggest some feasible
plan for the accomplishment OF the
much desired object.
TO suggest any new and untfIeu
p,an I consider both unnecessary and
sureriluous, even If one should pre-
gent itself to my mind and ! should
fee. capable Of elucIdating il sati-fac-
torilv. Hence, shall only call the
attention of our people to the plans
pursued By those who have achieved
such grand and satisfactory results ID
this direction.
The great West, possessing inferior
natural advantages to onr country,
has been developed into one Of the
most prosperous countries on the globe
by immigration, industry and thrift ;
and we very naturally direct our In
qu;rics TO that quarter ii search OF
information as 10 how the object we
We seek is to be obtained We fad
,ha, they have spared neither time
nor money in their efforts to bring
their country into favorable notice in
the crowded countries from whence
lows the great living tide that yearly
increases the population OF the wcs
| tern continent TO such an enormous
extent. Profling by the hardy, pro
| gressive and thrifty people Of the
, West, our Texas neighDors are popu
, la,ing their great State at a rate sur
, prising even to themselves, and ma:
ing it perfect network of railroads
while We, with all the natural al
vaniages they can claim, are Flooding
q along away back in their rear, just be
cause we will not use the same energy
pluck and perseverance Of our neigh
bors-or perhaps, because We do no
b possess these qualities.
e The plans pursued by those VIII
;, have succeeded iu directing stream
q of this mighty tide of immigration
iuto their countries, have been to oil
ganize immigration societies, appoin
IS capabie men to write full and minut
e descriptions Of their countries, draw
I" maps and tabulate statistics; to tran:
Il late them into the languages OF tn
!. diffrent countries from which they C!
c. pect to obtain immigrants, and to oil
'e point agents to circulate these book
a maps and papers, always securln
20 natives of the different counties,
S. possible, as agents. All that is ne
* essary is to induce few from eac
g old country to come and settle in IL
i new one, and if they meet with pro-
n er treatment and arc satitiea with II
ht country, others will be certain to fc
y low them.
&c The kind of immigrants we need
20 accomplish any good results and q
of vance our Stale to position OF re
it prosperity, ere those that will con
re with view to purchasing land al
'' making their bomes among US, ar
IT, not as laborers upon large sussr, ri
y and cotton plantations.
: To accomplish anything OF impc
10 ,cnoo II ia uoceaSary IN take Suitjce