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THE GERMAN ELEMENT IN MARYLAND.

It has long been an acknowledged fact, that this State is
not so densely populated as might be wished for the develope-
ment of its rich sources of prosperity. The recent transition
from slave to free labor, has not as yet multipled the forces of
labor to such a degree, as not to make further influx of in-
creased agricultural and industrial action very desirable. In
appreciation of this fact the Legislature of 1865, appointed a
Select Committee, to prepare a statement in relation to the
resources of Maryland, a copy of which is hereto appended,
containing very valuable information for the resident citizens,
as well as for immigrants, who may desire to choose Mary-
land for their abode and home. At its last session in 1866,
the Legislature enacted a bill providing for the protection and
encouragement of immigration, and for this purpose appro-
priated funds and appointed officers, who under the control
of and combined with the board of Public Works, composed
of the Governor, Comptroller and Treasurer of the State, shall
encourage, superintend and protect such immigration as may
be advantageous and desirable for the commonwealth of this
State.

Among the legitimate and honorable means of encourag-
ing and inducing citizens of other countries or States to leave
their homes and settle among us, it is considered foremost a per-
fectly truthful statement of the existent features in the different
channels of industrial pursuits in our State. This, the au-
thors of the report previously alluded to have conscientiously
complied with, and thus by their far-seeing effort have anti-
cipated much of the otherwise necessary labors of the officers,
entrusted with the task of calling public attention to the ad-
Tantages offered by Maryland to immigration. Yet, there was
a large scope of subjects lying beyond the province of the Se-
lect Committee, which, when properly viewed, may weigh
heavily with the emigrant in selecting a new home. Among
these we consider the condition of former emigrants in this
State, their numerical strength, their industrial success and
other topics of immeasurable interest to those who are invited
to follow their path. It is evident that immigration is a step
of momentous importance to the new comer as well as to those
who hospitably receive him. The slightest exaggeration in
invitations involves heavy responsibilities for the latter and
bitter disappointments for the former. Even the naked truth
will not always prevent a lively fancy from high colored anti-
cipations proving doleful delusions, and human nature has
never been better illustrated than in the words of that traveler
who wrote in the album of the "Rigi" in Switzland: He who
wishes to see the high mountains in Switzerland, and the blue
sky in Italy, must carry in his heart the high mountains in