The Chickasaw messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1880-1900, 1888-05-31

movement to propagandise the
South. The particulars we gave
were taken from an interview OF
the Catholic priest at Rome, Ga,
Rov. J. N. Clifford, with a reporter
Of the Tribune, the daily paper Of
that city.
In the account Il was set forth
that the Romanists had a scheme
on foot for planting several colo
mics in the South; that the Bishops
east Of the Mississippi River had
the matter in charge; that the plan
was to be fully developed at con
vention Of these Bishops TO be held
at Hot Springs, n. c., just after
Easter, at which Cardinal Gibbons
would be present to AID in the mat
ter; that il was proposed to form
company with a capital ofS2, OOO,-
600 to be raised BY issuing 2000,-
600 shares ofstock ct sl0per share;
that wealthy ROmanists and out
siders were to aid the movement;
that immigrants were 10 be sought
from the Northwestern States in
this country, and from England,
ireland, Germany, and France in
the Old World; that points in North
Georgia, North Alabama, North
Mississippi, Tennessee, and North
Carolina were to be selected for
these colonists and tracts of land
secured to them in lots often to one
hundred acres, allowing them ten
years IN which to pay for the prop
erty, etc.
The account was in the main con-
frmod by published utterances Of
Romish authorities in Nashville
soon afterward, and is now further
confirmed by the correspondent Of
the Chicago News, who was sent
to observe the proceedings OF the
meeting and ascertain further par
ticulars Of the movement. From
the correspondents account it
seems the convention finished its
labors April 25, though his account
didnot appear in thepress dispatch
es until May 8.
It appears an association was or
ganized to be called by the taking
title, the Southern immigration
Association" OF the composition
Of the body forming this Associa-
ton the correspondent of the News
says it twas unique" Cardinal
Gibbons, the Archbishop OF Balti-
more; the Bishops Of Nashville and
Savannah, and many other priests
we're present, representing the
Romish hierarchy. Besides these
he says: "The Southern States
were represented by General Fitz-
hugh Lee, Governor Of Virginia,
who presided; by Governor Cor
don, of Georgia; by the Governor
of South Carolina, and by delegates
appointed b. the executives Of
eight other States. In addition TO
these prelates and priests, there
were at least 200 gentlemen from
all parts of the South, representing
thsir respective communities; also
a very considerable number Of the
foremost railroad officials of the
trunk lines east Of the Mississippi
River"
Concerning the moving spirit Of
the Convention be affirms.
The speech of Cardinal Gibbons
was a masterpiece Of policy. From
the moment he took his seat until
the convention adjourned all the
proceedings were in harmony with
his thoughts. The resolutions
adopted provide for the organiza-
ton Of the Southern Immigration
Association, with headquarters in
New York, and for the raising Of a
large fund by $1,000 subscriptions
from railroads, from public and
private corporations, and from
trade and industrial organization
in all the Southern States east Of
the Mississippi River.
Ofthe aims and motives involved
in the meeting, the News CORES
pondent speaks as follows:
Why has Rome developed such