The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-12-22

is any line OF buslness pushed with that
degree of energy whose aim Is the con-
summation of large purpose. Capital
and enterprise would make Florida a
great state. Even ordinary industry
coupled with natural resources would
transform the state into a garden. The
orange groves are SO productive, the
quality of the fruit so superior, the facil-
tiles for transportation are so ample that
surprise is caused by failure Of the peo-
pie to improve opportunities. There Ig
wealth IN the south which will come for
the bidding; BUTT will hardly respond
to the tickling of the soil by a single
mule with a niger holding the pillow.
Fine orange groves IN Florida are GASES,
when the country might be one vast
stretch Of unbroken prOductiveness. IT.
rigation, fertilizers and the sweat of hon
est toll would make Florida a paradise
aud realize the wealth for which the old
Spaniards searched with such diligence.
1t is paradise in climate, and It's sunny
skies and soft breezes bring the blush of
beauty to its flowers and luscious ma
turity to its fruit, while its rivers, lakes
and sub-tropicrl luxuriance of tangled
forest complete the realization of beauty
and grandeur. 1t is the practical rather
than the sentimental which this state
needs. 1t is venerable IN its history but
almost virgin to the virile touch Of prog
ress.
Until within comparatively short
period Florida had no railroads. Now it
is well supplied. That it feels the pull
sation of new life its invitation to the
Wisconsin Press Association is proof
The hospitality extended was simply the
inbred courtesy of the people which, can
no more be checked than the singing of
the bird. But the OTatiOns had a sign1f-
lcance deeper than courtesy extended to
guests. 1t was challenge to northern
opinion as to southern resources under
the cover of affability which could not be
discarded If desired. There is a promise
OF much better things IN the desire to
advance but a seeming Discrimination to
make the best use OF means native to the
place. There IS something Intangible
and evanescent In the prosperity growing
out of the interest Of Temporary visitors.
But Florida Is building its hope of the
future largely upon its winter resorts. 1t
needs immigration, tillers of the soil, the
hardy class of foreigners who will not
succumb to poverty nor scorn to work.
They would teach lessons Of thrift and
industry and dignity labor by It's success.
The vast capital invested IN palatial
hotels does more to demoralize than to
inspire. Il telligent labor Is what the
south needs, so that industry may become
contagious and drive out shiftlessness
and indolent waiting for the gifts which
nature Lestows through the soil.
For bealthfullDess and pleasant sur
fIbpnaSvilla GA 10
pee. Had Ponce lie Leon in his search
for the Fountain of Youth trended in his
course more to the north and west until
Thomasvilla was reached, he might with
propriety conclude that the search had
proved as successful as the limitations OF
mortality would permit. The resinous
breath of the pine has healing IN its
wings" and the soft winds are caressing
in their tenderness. Many OF the old
plantations are covered with a second
growth of pine and the woodland roads
traverse what were the cotton fields of
the olden time. The inequality of sur
face gives the drives delightful variety
and the old mansions slumberipg in
the sunlight, seem relics of that past so
near in time, SO distant in the change
wrought IN the interval. The Present
and the Past, to the eye, seem to jostle
each other over the intervening space;
but the dead Past has buried its dead
and no note of the olden time is heard nor
touch of a vanished hand" felt in the
current of the new life. The negro quar-
ters are gone and the old mansions no
longer echo the voices of their hereditary
but instead the prattle of picca-
ninnies and the deep tones of the must
cally gifted negro.
Many northern people have purchased
IN Ihomasville and its sur
and have built them houses
for residence during the winter. Most
Of the improvements made are due to
these men, and the improvements are
such as to merit praise. There is no
other place III the south IN which the
tourists were so hospitality received, and |
this is saying much, Were hospitality is |
the rule. Nor is there any place of which |
the recollection is more pleasing.
l have perhaps, to the reader, written |
to WEAKNESS of southern impressions. It |
would have been more interesting, per-
haps,-lf interest lies in descrlptiCn.-to |
nave given a simple recital of what was |
seen and thus measurably crafty curl
)sity where [ may have failed in meriting |
attention. But We are interested in the de- |
Of the south and what retards |
or promotes its advancement is a mat |
ter of moment to us. That so many had |
IN opportunity of forming their opinions |
~ observation is matter for congratu-
alton and should beget a spirit OF thank
illness toward the man who planned the |
excursion and who worked increasingly, |
md self-sacrifcingly for It's success
he worthy President, james E. Heg.