Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-04-14

angurated, but so far as we know nave
not amounted to much. Not because
there was lacking an earnest desire to
accomplish the purpose sought, but be-
cause there were, and are, conditions In
the Southern States over which they had
no control, that thwarted all their
efforts toward speedy development aud
growth.
We recall with pleasure, because
we participated in the generous
hospitality shown to guests on
that occasion, the meeting at
Ashvllle, n. c., in sc, we believe, I'M
der the auspices Of South and South
western trunk lines of railway compan-
les. The attendance was very large
and thoroughly representative Of all the
Southern States, and more honest and
enthusiastic body OF gentlemen never
assembled for a.publlc object. Among
other prominent people there were His
Eminence Cardinal GIBBONS and Rt.
Rev. Bishop KAN. We believe the
resolutions and efforst there inaugural
ed were all that could have been done to
accelerate the growth Of the States
south OF Mason and Dixon's line. Some
good resulted no doubt, but not what
was expeeted. The fault, or rather the
lack of truition, was not with the
plans or the people. There were mex
orable conditions which stood in the
way. and they still stand there, and like
the Pyramids Of Egypt, they are likely
TO stand for some time TO come.
These conditions are we'll explained
in the main by the Richmond Dispatch,
in resenting the unreasonable charge OF
the New York Press that the people are
lacking in liberation. 1t says:
It is as certain as anything can be that
the presence Of large population OF ne
groes in Virginia keeps foreigners without
her borders. and the federation" which IS
wanting is defect, il defect it be, in the
character Of the would-be settler. IL IS
these Objectionable colored natives that
cause so many more foreigners TO settle IN
the northern, western, northwestern ana
Pacific States than in Virginia and the
other southern States. Virgins possesses
everything but white laoorlng popula-
ton that would induce immigrants TO
spr cad all over her hills and valleys. She
has delightful climate, lands which are
either rich or susceptible Of the highest
state OF improvement, freedom from too
much cold weather and from cyclones and
other things of that sort. She has other
advantages "toO numerous 10 mention"
But, as we have said, she has large negro
population, and where the negroes are as
numerous as they are in some sections OF
Virginia white settlers need never 10 be
expected. Suppose there were 6SS,OOO
whites In Virginia where now there are
635, 900 negroes. What would results
Good schools, good churches, good farms
and whatever else we need. But Caucas-
ians are not going to send their children 10
schools which any considerable NUMBER Oh
negroes attend, and we in Virginia shall
have TO continue to pay the penalty Of hay
ing once had negro slaves TO do all OF our
hard work for US.
There are also other conditions which
initiate against the Influx Of white inn
migrants. They are in brief that most
Of these States are among the'early
States of the Union. Their laws are all
made and adapted to the present popn-
lation. Also, some Of the States, nota-
bly, Virginia and the Carolinas, have
considerable land which is exhausted
from long usage, which the enterpris-
ing immigration agents OF the West
have not hesitated 10 utilize to the best
advantage. New corners love virgin
soil, they want 70 grow up with the
State, and want the State to grow up
with them. They prefer to endure the
rigors Of a severe climate and the I'M
told hardships common to new coun-
tries, n they can have things their own
absolutely, to settling in an old State
with delightful climate and ample
conveniences, where they must conform
to the laws and customs as they find
them.
All this is not said In Encouragement
Of the worthy efforts Of our sister States
Of the South ITO cast an anchor to
windward." Our purpose is to simply
explain to the thoughtless and the sneer-
ing, of which, unfortunately, there are
many. why these efforts do not show
better and quicker results. The time
for Undertaking. may be some distance
of yet, but it is sure to come. The
West and Northwest are rapidly filing
up, the free lands and good lands are
becoming searcer each year. When
they are all gone the South and
Southwestern States may look for the
tide Of immigration and development
to turn their way, as it is doing now in
Texas and to some extent in our
own State.
Let the Governors anticipate this
coming tide by recommending among
other things laws suited to the
changed conditions Of the times, and
above all TO the providing and enforcing
Of laws which protect the life and lib
erty Of the humblest.