The Scots scheme of colonization is in itself calculated to have an efficient selecting power to procure emigrants of moral and intellectual superiority, and eminently fitted for colonists. A power of selection in the scheme itself, is preferable to any inquisitorial committee. The condition ofworking small-capitalistsis generally the consequence of some mental superiority, which has led the individual to be providently industrious, and to despise mere momentary sensual gratification. It is the boldest and wisest of these who will join in this scheme. And amongst the working classes, those who possess the greatest share of moral courage, intelligence, and determination of purpose, will be the men who will join the Emigration Societies, and work out their own and their family’s independence, at whatever cost of present exertion and self-denial. The general diffusion of wealth, the possession of some property by a large majority of the people, is necessary to human comfort and rational liberty: Equal political rights and property in the hands of the few cannot co-exist. Did our working men form an emigration-fund of the money (collectively, at least, thirty millions Sterling yearly) they, in self-indulgence, waste upon pernicious liquors and tobacco, which enervate body and mind, they would soon be able to carry out and supply with land and stock, one-half of their number, and the increase of value of their colonial property under the management of those sent out (the most trusty individuals of the association, chosen by ballot), would be sufficient to transplant, if necessary, the remaining half, while the time and strength saved from being wasted in dissipation, would serve greatly to increase the comforts of themselves and families, independent of the rise of the wages of labour which would ensue. The greatness of the object ought to be appreciated,—the change from mere labour-drudges (most frequently in unwholesome occupations) in a country where a property-class have in a manner secured every thing to themselves, to the condition of proprietors in a most beautiful, fertile, and salubrious country, is surely a sufficient motive for exertion. An association of twenty working men, by subscribing each 2s. weekly, can transplant two, or with a family, one of the members yearly; and, aided by the increase of the value of their colonial property, in the course of six years, or with families, eight or ten years, the whole could be proprietors residing on their own estates, the value of which every passing year would increase for ages to come.P. M.,Chairman.
The Scots scheme of colonization is in itself calculated to have an efficient selecting power to procure emigrants of moral and intellectual superiority, and eminently fitted for colonists. A power of selection in the scheme itself, is preferable to any inquisitorial committee. The condition ofworking small-capitalistsis generally the consequence of some mental superiority, which has led the individual to be providently industrious, and to despise mere momentary sensual gratification. It is the boldest and wisest of these who will join in this scheme. And amongst the working classes, those who possess the greatest share of moral courage, intelligence, and determination of purpose, will be the men who will join the Emigration Societies, and work out their own and their family’s independence, at whatever cost of present exertion and self-denial. The general diffusion of wealth, the possession of some property by a large majority of the people, is necessary to human comfort and rational liberty: Equal political rights and property in the hands of the few cannot co-exist. Did our working men form an emigration-fund of the money (collectively, at least, thirty millions Sterling yearly) they, in self-indulgence, waste upon pernicious liquors and tobacco, which enervate body and mind, they would soon be able to carry out and supply with land and stock, one-half of their number, and the increase of value of their colonial property under the management of those sent out (the most trusty individuals of the association, chosen by ballot), would be sufficient to transplant, if necessary, the remaining half, while the time and strength saved from being wasted in dissipation, would serve greatly to increase the comforts of themselves and families, independent of the rise of the wages of labour which would ensue. The greatness of the object ought to be appreciated,—the change from mere labour-drudges (most frequently in unwholesome occupations) in a country where a property-class have in a manner secured every thing to themselves, to the condition of proprietors in a most beautiful, fertile, and salubrious country, is surely a sufficient motive for exertion. An association of twenty working men, by subscribing each 2s. weekly, can transplant two, or with a family, one of the members yearly; and, aided by the increase of the value of their colonial property, in the course of six years, or with families, eight or ten years, the whole could be proprietors residing on their own estates, the value of which every passing year would increase for ages to come.
P. M.,Chairman.