The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1886-11-14
m NoRrHEaN sRrrlERs CorvENrloa..

4dG 9NOEsIA1fSN O4ITIEA8 OONEEN1AONs
We publish the following letter ad-
dressed TO as by Northern gentleman
present at the Convention. He is a man
of intelligent observation, and it will be
seen that he thinks very much of good
has been accomplished by the Conyen.
ton.
RALEIGH, N. c, Nov. 10th. 1885.
It may be rather late 10 do what should
have been done two weeks ago, but bet.
ter late than never" is safe rule to 90
by.
/ wished to say few things at the
time of their occurrence about the State
Fair and the Settlers Convention. Now
las there has been this lapse, if the CITI:
ZEN will permit, will only add some
|afterthoughts, and omit general de-
scription Of what was seen and heard
The Convention itself was success fully
equal to expectation except in the attens
dance from the North. At the last mo.
ment many who had signifed their in
tention tosbe present, and had procured
tickets, found that political exigencies
compelled them to sban don the intended
visit Nevertheless more than fifty pa
pens were represented by their editors or
their staff correspondents, and among
those were some of the most foreibie
writer's Of the northern press. The at
tendance of possible settlers was also
good. Quite q number of the latter are
still in the state visiting places of which
they first heard at the Convention.
Some have already decided on their lo-
cations and are preparing to buy and
build.
The statements made by the settlers
were very fall and explicit. The whole
state was pretty well advel tised in q new
and effective way. When the Bulletin
which will be ready for distribution be-
fore Saturday, goes into the hands Of the
inquirers to whom it will be mailed, the
effect will be manifest in many counties,
for during the winter and spring there
will be many people down here to look
and to buy.
Our editors from the North enjoyed the
acquaintances they formed with their
brethren of the press of the State. The
writer heard several express qualification
at having met your Colonel Cameron.
whom they knew by reputation, and all
were pleased to encounter gentleman
who was able togiYe them 80 much Valua-
BILE information about the laws, customs
and industries of many sections of the
State. The Colonel, though not q settler,
was valuable lobby member of the con-
vention. Northern papers are beginning
to reach Mr. Patrick containing editor
ials or letters in which the State, its in.
stitutions and advantages. are set forth
in fervid pertraiture. The comments
thus far seen are quite interesting as
showing the impression made upolI dis
interested and intelligent men by what
they saw and heard. All seem to have
been surprised and pleased in about equal
measure. Not only the papers that had
their representatives at Raleigh, but
many others, have been profuse in favor
able notices. Even the Times Democrat
of New Orleans gave up the first column
of its editorial page last Monday to the
subject and urged in the strongest terms,
that similar convention should be held
in Louisiana.
q The 6FaIi1e Of the convention to the
State waists neral influence upon intend
ing settlers and investors, both because
of the varied pursuits and locations Of
the Northern born witnesses and also be-
cause of what was said and the manner
in which it was told. But beyond all
this, the creating of q permanent organ.
ization to cooperate with the bureau of
immigration in obtaining information
and in locating settlers was an excellent
sequel to the conventions deliberations.
The many intelligent and active men
who came from Asheville as representa-
tives of the local association of Northern
settlers did much good work for the
mountain counties, and aided by the
splendid fruit exhibit of which, Mr.. Matt
Atkinson, Jr., had charge, they located
a profound and lasting impression favor
able to "the land of the sky" JOE.