irst ten years, would be small; but in the second, and
each succeeding decennium, when we count children and their descendants,
it would be large and constantly augmenting. But the census shows, that
our wealth increases each ten years at the rate of 126.45 per cent. Now
then, take our increase of wealth in consequence of immigration as
before stated, and compound it at the rate of 126.45 per cent, every ten
years, and the result is largely over three billions of dollars in 1870,
and over seven billions of dollars in 1880, independent of the effect of
any immigration succeeding 1860. If these results are astonishing, we
must remember that immigration here is augmented population, and that it
is population and labor that create wealth. Capital, indeed, is but the
accumulation of labor. Immigration, then, from 1850 to 1860, added to
our national wealth a sum more than double our whole debt on the first
of July last, and augmenting in a ratio much more rapid than its
increase, and thus enabling us to bear the war expenses.

As the homestead privilege must largely increase immigration, and add
especially to the cultivation of our soil, it will contribute more than
any other measure to increase our population, wealth, and power, augment
our revenue from duties and taxes, and soon enable us to repeal the tax
bill, or, at least, confine it to a few articles of luxury.

Nor has this immigration merely increased our wealth; but it has filled
our army with brave _volunteer_ soldiers, Irish, Germans, and of other
nationalities, who, side by side with our native sons, are now pouring
out their blood on every battle field in defence of our flag and Union.
Thousands of them have suffered in rebel dungeons, where many are still
languishing--thousands are wounded, disabled for life, or filling a
soldier's grave.

Thus has the immigrant proved himself worthy to participate with our
native sons in the homestead privilege. He fights our battle, and dies,
that the Union may live.

Come, then, our European brother, and enjoy with us every privilege of
an American citizen. The altar of freedom is consecrated by the
sacrament of our commingled blood. Countrymen of Lafayette and
Montgomery, of Steuben and DeKalb, of Koscinsko and Pulaski! you are
fighting, like them, in the same great cause, under the same banner, and
for the same glorious Union, and, like them, you will reap an
immortality of glory, and the gratitude of our country and of