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German colonisation than those of temperate climate in North
America。 However great； as we have openly confessed； is our
attachment for the last…named country； and however little we are
able or desire to deny that an individual German emigrant who
possesses a little capital has greater hope of permanently making
his fortune in Western North America； we must nevertheless here
express our opinion that emigration to Central and South America；
if it were well led and undertaken on a large scale； offers in a
national point of view much greater advantages for Germany than
emigration to North America。 What good is it if the emigrants to
North America become ever so prosperous？ In their personal relation
they are lost for ever to the German nationality； and also from
their material production Germany can expect only unimportant
fruits。 It is a pure delusion if people think that the German
language can be maintained by the Germans who live in the interior
of the United States； or that after a time it may be possible to
establish entire German states there。 We once ourselves entertained
this illusion； but after ten years' observation in the country
itself； on the spot； we have entirely given it up。 It lies in the
very spirit of every nationality； and above all in that of the
United States； to assimilate itself in language； literature；
administration； and legislation； and it is good that that is so。
However many Germans may now be living in North America； yet
certainly not one of them is living there whose great…grandchildren
will not greatly prefer the English language to the German； and
that for the very natural reason that the former is the language of
the educated people； of the literature； the legislation； the
administration； the courts of justice； and the trade and commerce
of the country。 The same thing can and will happen to the Germans
in North America as happened to the Huguenots in Germany and the
French in Louisiana。 They naturally must and will be amalgamated
with the predominant population： some a little sooner； others a
little later； according as they dwell more or less together with
fellow…countrymen。
Still less dependence can be placed on an active intercourse
between Germany and the German emigrants to the west of North
America。 The first settler is always compelled by necessity to make
for himself the greater part of his articles of clothing and
utensils； and these customs； which originated from mere necessity；
continue for the most part to the second and third generation。
Hence it is that North America itself is a country which makes
powerful efforts in manufacturing industry； and will continually
strive more and more to gain possession of her home market for
manufactured goods； for her own industry。
On the other hand； we would on that account by no means
maintain that the American market for manufactured goods is not a
very important one； and well worthy of regard； especially for
Germany On the contrary； we are of opinion that for many articles
of luxury and for manufactured articles which are easy of
transport； and in which the wages of labour constitute a chief
element of the price； that market is one of the most important； and
must from year to year； as respects the articles above named；
become more important for Germany。 What we contend is only this；
that those Germans who emigrate to the west of North America give
no important assistance in increasing the demand for German
manufactured goods； and that in reference to that object emigration
to Central and South America requires and deserves very much more
direct encouragement。
The above…mentioned countries； including Texas； are for the
most part adapted for raising colonial produce。 They can and will
never make great progress in manufacturing industry。 Here there is
an entirely new and rich market for manufactured goods to acquire；
whoever has here established firm commercial relations； may remain
in possession of them for all future time。 These countries； without
sufficient moral power of their own to raise themselves to a higher
grade of civilisation； to introduce well…ordered systems of
government； and to endue them with stability； will more and more
come to the conviction that they must be aided from outside；
namely； by immigration。 In these quarters the English and French
are hated on account of their arrogance； and owing to jealousy for
national independence the Germans for the opposite reasons are
liked。 Hence the states of the Zollverein ought to devote the
closest attention to these countries。
A vigorous German consular and diplomatic system ought to be
established in these quarters； the branches of which should enter
into correspondence with one another。 Young explorers should be
encouraged to travel through these countries and make impartial
reports upon them。 Young merchants should be encouraged to inspect
them young medical men to go and practise there。 Companies
should be founded and supported by actual share subscription； and
taken under special protection； which companies should be formed in
the German seaports in order to buy large tracts of land in those
countries and to settle them with German colonists companies for
commerce and navigation； whose object should be to open new markets
in those countries for German manufactures and to establish lines
of steamships mining companies； whose object should be to devote
German knowledge and industry to winning the great mineral wealth
of those countries。 In every possible way the Zollverein ought to
endeavour to gain the good…will of the population and also of the
governments of those countries； and especially to promote by that
means public security means of communication； and public order；
indeed； one ought not to hesitate； in case one could by that means
put the governments of those countries under obligation to us； also
to assist them by sending an important auxiliary corps。
A similar policy ought to be followed in reference to the East
to European Turkey and the Lower Danubian territories。 Germany
has an immeasurable interest that security and order should be
firmly established in those countries； and in no direction so much
as in this is the emigration of Germans so easy for individuals to
accomplish； or so advantageous for the nation。 A man dwelling by
the Upper Danube could transport himself to Moldavia and Wallachia；
to Servia； or also to the south…western shores of the Black Sea；
for one…fifth part of the expenditure of money and time which are
requisite for his emigration to the shores of Lake Erie。 What
attracts him to the latter more than to the former is； the greater
degree of liberty； security； and order which prevails in the
latter。 But under the existing circumstances of Turkey it ought not
to be impossible to the German states； in alliance with Austria； to
exercise such an influence on the improvement of the public
condition of those countries； that the German colonist should no
longer feel himself repelled from them； especially if the
governments themselves would found companies for colonisation； take
part in them themselves； and grant them continually their special
protection。
In the meantime it is clear that settlements of this kind could
only have a specially beneficial effect on the industry of the
states of the Zollverein； if no obstacles were placed in the way of
the exchange of German manufactured goods for the agricultural
produce of the c