The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1890-05-01


tined greatness Of the south and with
valiant endeavor her sons are strivin,
a TO win foremost recognition for tn,
section of their birth or residence
They are powerfully propelling th'
% state toward industrial supremacy
and in fraternal union with the sistel
grand divisions, are serving each with
deeds of peaceful prowess. They arr
needing the summons to practica
achievement which has come to every
n nook and corner of the sclth; and
a with new methods, plans and purposes
= are well obeying the duty and high
q privilege which every southern son OF
) | resident may Justly claim-the full
i | and fair solution of the great prob.
/ lens of the day. There is hope and
: o future for people who thus bear
: themselves; no combination can avert
: success, no assault pierce their armor.
: EAST Tennessee is arrayed in solid
! phalanx with sister sections OF the
state and south for the achievement
of q common destiny of peaceful
progress. How fast that advance
ment must be We all may now know !;
how great ITS ultimate attainment
each quickened understanding may
now depict. Conditions whose results
no force can avert, are outlining the
future. Not least of these 10 the fact
that the west is not the competitor
OF the south, but o contributor
to it. The restless tide OF immigra-
ton, which, at the close of the
civil war, turned westward in search
of adventure and fortune, has touched
the Pacific now, and meeting that inn
passable barrier, the increasing army
of immigrants is turning elsewhere.
The cry, "Go west, young man." which
the north and east raised quarter of |
century ago has died away. Then,
truly, the south was scene of desola-
ton, of lost hopes, faded ambition,
unsettled and of wasted energies, Of
fering little or nothing to attract capi-
tai or labor. The youthful beauties
oil the west, fortunately for its future, |
began to unfold in striking compari-
son to the depleted yigor of the south
and naturally and inevitably the sur
plus population of the older sections
and their surplus money hastened to
the Ell Dorado beyond the Mississippi.
The attractions it could boast were
revealed during two decades, con-
stant magnet for men and treasure.
But its secrets have now been wrung
from hill and valley its choisest re-
wards have been gathered its mystic 1
grandeur has been measured and the
west to-day has passed from the fresh |
ness and romance of a new country +,
into the monotony of an old. The
kindling imagination of the immi- :
grant, looking for land of fair and
undeveloped promises, now rests up.
on the inviting south. Enough has
been disclosed to inspire ardent hopes !
and give substance to high csnfidenee.
"1he alert eyes OF capital-aware
that the opportunity for fabulous re-
wards beyond the Mississippi has =
gone-beholds south of the Ohio, a I
land where experiment proves that
the great story of the west is to be a
written anew in brighter and far
more enticing colors. Ii the hand of
man twenty-five years ago pointed to-
ward the west, nature to-day, with un-
kr
the destined seat of industrial empire.
The never ending current of immigra-
ton has turned southwark and ii will
never end. Better it will be than that
which once went toward the setting
sun, for here there ia peace and Or
der to repel the lawless and here, too,
far more to invite the ambitious spirit ,
of America manhood and the keen
eye of America capital. Both must
prove powerful factors for the develop Q
mcnt of natures gifts, and develop
ment means enlargement of the vol.
ume of our riches. This process,
based on forces that are sure and in
cessant, whose strength is inexhausti- n
Bile, points unerringly to the advance
ment of each southern state.
seThis is the influence, impressive l
and perpetual, that, coming from D
without the borders of the south, of J
Tennessee. is to be, nevertheless, one
Of the most striking agencies for its
upbuilding. No other section can de- y
prive us of it, for no other can present b
the conditions for its creation and Fl
C
"But there have arisen from the p
very midst of the people OF the SO nth C
srn states, of Tennessee, factors for q
their enrichment, promising even 81
more fruitful benefits. The manhood e
Of the south-this is and must be the y
fountain whence its swiftest and deep tt
est currents OF porgress mast take u
heir source. It is the happiest OF all ii
she pleasing signs about US that south r'
srn men are seriously and intelligent
y studying the new problem which
,imes have presented. There is less n
If passion and prejudice, more OF dis .
:retion and energy. With firm hands
Ind courageous hearts men are tear
ng aside the veil which has long hid
len the highest destiny of the land OF B
,hsir birth, and with more claim and ]
aore riue Judgment are adopting the n